Foods

Hey everyone.  It's my 21st birthday on Saturday, and my friends are coming out to lunch with me.  Since it's my birthday, I can pick something healthy, but I'm not sure where!  It's lunch, so portions will probably be smaller, and I do have to save room for my mom's birthday dinner (which is likely to be healthy too).  I live in Albany, NY, so all we've got around here are national chains, not a lot of the smaller places.

By the way, I know some people will say, "it's your birthday, indulge", but I'm not one of those people who can indulge without overdoing it completely.  I'd rather make my birthday about the friends and family I spend it with, so I still want to eat healthy on the day.

Hmm, well I think you can find healthy options almost anywhere. One that comes to mind is Panera. Also, PF Changs has some good options, but I think their servings are pretty large? Don't know if you're going for more casual or dining... those are two very different ends of the spectrum.

You can try Boston Market.  My favorites there are the 3 piece dark meat meal or the 5 oz turkey meal, they also have a white meat option.  I eat double veggies as my sides OR mixed veggies as one side and green beans as the other.  It's very filling too and a ton of protein and fiber!

edit:  Btw...I'd skip the cornbread!!

i would avoid chains entirely; they tend to buy bulk, cheap foods, prepare and freeze them, ship them all over the place,etc.  restaurants that specialize in fresh foods will have menues that change all the time - maybe even daily.

a vegetarian restaurant is probably your best bet; failing that, go for fresh fish.

valsgoal, is that a three pieces of chicken?  that's a lot of food right there, without the sides.  if i were in the US, i wouldn't go to any mainstream restaurant that didn't allow me to order from the seniors' menu.

I don't know what chains you have around there, but I have found healthy OPTIONS at Red Robin, Ruby Tuesday's, Applebees, Jason's Deli, Noodles & Company, and any place with a decent (fresh) salad bar.  If you eat in moderation you can watch calories pretty easily, and avoid high-fat sauces, dressings, and sides.  Fish is usually a good choice if you can ask them to grill it or bake it and not to add butter or sauces.  Stick with steamed veggies, whole grains, low-fat vinaigrettes, etc. and watch portion sides (put half in a To Go box right away if the meal is large). You can eat almost anywhere if you make smart choices!  ;)  Have a happy birthday!

Original Post by pgeorgian:

valsgoal, is that a three pieces of chicken?  that's a lot of food right there, without the sides.  if i were in the US, i wouldn't go to any mainstream restaurant that didn't allow me to order from the seniors' menu.

 Yes, 3 pieces of chicken...of course you need to remove the skin.  It IS very filling.  That was my lunch on Tuesdays when my daughter was taking a swim class.  She'd eat dinner before I'd pick her up but I wouldn't get a chance to eat dinner until very late so whatever I had for lunch would need to sustain me for a long time on those days. 

I can't say I've seen mainstream restuarants that offer senior menus.  I've only noticed senior menus at family type restaurants.  BUT...I never really look for them either so.....

We have the same birthday! Im turning twenty though.

Because you are going to lunch you could always get some soup and salad at any restaurant. Pick soups that are tomato or broth based rather than creamy and get your salad dressing on the side...you can cut more calories by saying to thanks to things like croutons, bacon, cheese and eggs. Makes a great healthy lunch and maybe even enjoy some cake later!

By the way Panera Bread just got a new strawberry fields salad with chicken...its amazing!

Chili's has a guiltless grill menu and Applebee's has a weight watchers menu.

Happy b-day! 

If you have one near you, try a mongolian buffet (BD's is the only chain I know of).  You control all the ingredients of a stir-fry, so you can make it as healthy as you want.  Avoid using oil as a seasoning. I like to use ginger water or sauce, with a lot of broccoli, green onions, and chicken; topped with sriracha hot sauce afterwards. But that's just me.

happy birthday! where did you end up going?

 

and for future reference Seasons 52 is wonderful!

<http://www.seasons52.com/>

 

I don't think anything is over 500 cals on their menu..