Applebee's and Weight Watchers on my way to losing weight!

As my family's schedule became more and more hectic we resorted to dining out several times a week. Making bad food choices, being unaware of how the meals were prepared, and portion sizes that continue to get bigger and bigger have all contributed to a significant weight gain for me over the last several years.

I have learned that I don't have to stay away from restaurants but I do need to make better choices. Since joining Weight Watcher's I have gotten into the habit of asking for a take out container immediately after my meal is served. I divide the meal, which I will eat the following day for lunch, before I even put a bite into my mouth!

This technique has been extremely helpful for my weight loss efforts. I have also discovered that Applebee's Restaurant has a line of Weight Watcher's entrees, salads, and desserts that make dining out even easier! Read the following article for some more fantastic dining out ideas.

There is no doubt about it; Americans are eating in restaurants more often than ever before. In 1970 Americans spent just 26% of their food dollars on restaurant meals. Today we spend 46% of food dollars on eating out. This is likely the result of a fast paced lifestyle and more convenience of restaurants.

What have also grown are restaurant portion sizes. The average restaurant portion size is large enough to feed three adults! Furthermore, studies have found a direct association between eating out and higher caloric intakes and higher body weights. This is important to know since obesity rates have doubled in the past 20 years and currently 65% of adults are obese.

This doesn’t mean you have to forego eating in restaurants. This may not be realistic for many people’s lifestyles. Instead, become more aware of what you are ordering and how much is on your plate.

Top 10 tips for dining out:

• 1.At lunch, opt for a deli sandwich with vegetable soup or side salad instead of a burger and fries. You can find these items in your local deli or supermarket.


• 2.Avoid specialty breads on sandwiches such as foccacia, baguettes or rolls, and choose whole grain bread instead.


• 3.Avoid anything mixed with heavy sauces or mayonnaise. (a tuna or egg salad sandwich in a restaurant may have more mayonnaise than you would add at home).


• 4.Get your salad dressings, sauces, and gravies on the side.


• 5.Eat half or even a quarter of the regular entrée or split the meal with a friend. Remember, most restaurant portions can feed 3 adults.


• 6.Share one dessert.


• 7.Skip the extra cheese on anything you order.


• 8.Choose lean meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish. A turkey sandwich in place of a roast beef sandwich can save you 100 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat.


• 9.Go easy on stuffed entrees- they’re often loaded in fat and calories.


• 10.Avoid “super-sizing” combo meals. They may be an economic value but they can add up to 2000 calories for one meal!

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