Restaurant Suggestions

My last day at my current job is next week, and my assistant wants to take me out for lunch, a sentiment that, while I appreciate, is causing me some amount of stress as I'm desperately trying not to get off track right now.  We work in an area with TONS of restaurants.  Does anyone have any suggestions for where we might go so that I can get lunch in at around 200-300 calories (I eat 6x day and don't want to deviate from my schedule TOO much).  I'm thinking maybe PF Changs?  Any other ideas?

Try to find some fish or grilled chicken on the menu that comes with veggies as a side. Ask for it not to be cooked in butter or oil and tell the server to pack up half of it before they bring it to the table. I think the biggest restaurant challenge is portion sizes.

I'm not sure that trying to stay at 200-300 calories is realistic if you actually plan to eat.  It also may come off as not sociable and unapreciative.  If at all possible I would try to alot more like 500-600 calories.  Also, if you are over for one day, it really is ok.

Anything with veggies and lean meat without too much sauce or carby sides like rice, fries, etc.  should work.  Good luck!

PF changs is chinese food correct? Well, in a 200-300 calorie range, i wouldn't recommend chinese food, as well as it being so high in sodium, but any kind of steamed vegetable dish with chicken or shrimp would be a good choice, just make sure there is no oil or sauce

Mmmm, I LOVE PF Chang's. hehehehe

When I'm ever in this situation, I choose grilled salmon with steamed veggies &/or a side salad. *thumbsup*

When I go to PF Chang's, I like to get the Cantonese Shrimp & I'll have a small portion of the rice. 

I don't know if you like fish or seafood, but those are pretty healthy choices.  If you don't like seafood or fish, you can go with grilled chicken.  Stir Fry is also a great option.  I will do some research on menu's from a few restaurants I'm considering going to.  Some even have the nutritional value available, which is very handy.  Use those to your advantage.  Then, once you see what entree's are healthier, that will help you decide on where you'd like to go.

This is another trick you can try:  Plan your day's worth of meals/snacks for yourself ahead of time.  At least the day before, so you're prepared & you can 'make room' for your tasty healthy dish from the restaurant, not come off as a 'food snob', AND still stay on track.  This really works for me. 

Good Luck!

On like 18th and K there is a Legal Seafoods.  I always like going there because it's easy to find low cal lunch options.  My recommendation would be to get either the "simply grilled" shrimp or scallops with a side of broccoli.  Make sure to ask for no butter or oil and you'll have a way low cal lunch and still partake in some of the restaurants signature items!

Simply put, you're not going to get away with 200-300 calories when you go out to a restaurant for lunch. It's just not going to happen, especially if you get chinese food (not a big fan of PF Changs myself). Hell, even if you just get a salad, you'll probably walk away with more calories in the croutons and the dressing.

It's not so bad to splurge once in a rare while. We all deserve to treat ourselves sometimes. Go out and order shellfish with lots of veggies, preferably grilled and no sugar sauces. Order dressings on the side and box up half, but you don't need to stick so rigidly to this plan.

Hopefully this isn't too late, but if you go to PFChangs, I believe that the steamed vegetable dumpling appetizer is around 300 calories, and I found it big enough for a meal, and tasty as well.

I agree with the grilled fish/veggies option

Try a tofu dish also, slightly higher in calories but still good for you.

I just ate lunch at PF Changs this afternoon!  I got one of the lunch bowls (moo goo gai pan).  I ate half and that's about 260 calories including brown rice.  The buddha's feast is also the same number of calories with brown rice.  If you get it steamed, the calories go down DRASTICALLY.  A couple of the vegetarian entrees would be great to cut in half also, but keep in mind that while the nutrition info on the website is for an entire platter, it doesn't include rice.  Check out their website.  I'm also a fan of Panera Bread (half their turkey sandwich and a cup of french onion soup without croutons and cheese) or Moe's (any item on the kid's menu).

Also!  When you order at PF Changs you can ask for no oil, light oil, light sauce, sauce on the side, or stock velveted (uses vegggie stock instead of oil).  This helps cut down on some calories and fat! :-)

If you want to go to PF Changs go to http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/site/diner s/findrestaurants/restaurant_group.php?id=pfc hangs-0 It gives you some options of things to order there with nutritional information.  Such a great site!  Good luck!