Going out to eat? Try these stay-on-track tips

Weekly technique

By Weight Watchers

Published 30 May 2023

Going out to eat? Try these stay-on-track tips

Someone else is finally doing the cooking, but you’ll still want in on a different kind of meal prep. Allow us to explain.

Try this!

If you can map out moves and make decisions ahead of time… 1. Save up weekly and rollover Points® leading up to the meal for more flexibility. 2. Look up the menu (or ask your host) and pre-track your meal. Going to a friend’s? Offer to bring a low-Points dish. 3. Eat a low-Points snack before leaving home to help you stick to your plan. If you have to make on-the-spot decisions… 1. Start with a brothy soup or salad, or choose ZeroPoint® foods as a main to make room for drinks or dessert. 2. Zero in on low-Points code words like “grilled,” split an entrée with a friend, take half home, or order an app as your main. 3. Use an appetizer plate at the buffet to help keep portions in check. Make a backup plan Almost out of Points (weeklies, too) before you even order your entrée? Try this. Step 1: Remind yourself it’s OK if you eat more than intended—but don’t totally give up. Step 2: Decide about how many extra Points you’re willing to spend and order accordingly. Step 3: When you get home, track the meal and plan (and pre-track) what low-Points foods you’ll eat the next day.

Let’s dive a little deeper…

Ever have a day where every single thing played out exactly as you imagined? If only! Yet we still think and plan ahead, because that’s how we make sure things go as smoothly as possible.

The same is true when it comes to eating away from home, like at a friend’s birthday dinner, on holiday, or when you just don’t have time or energy to cook. Planning ahead for how to handle these kinds of disruptions to your usual eating routine—whether they’re scheduled or not—helps keep you on track.

“Help” is the key word. Because even if you planned what you were going to order or eat, you can’t control everything. Maybe your host insisted you try dessert or the bread basket was warm and right there. No biggie! In those cases, enjoy the food and yourself, then regroup and get back to your routine ASAP—they’re minor bumps on a much bigger journey.