Sometime yesterday I decided I wanted to take a field trip today. A field trip to the mall. And I also decided I wanted to eat at the mall. Because I love P.F. Chang’s.
Why? Let me count the ways. Shrimp and candied walnuts. (so fantastic!) But even better? They list the nutritional info on the website. I’ve spent a little time before looking at the chart and figuring out what I wanted on certain trips.
But when I opened the site on my lunch break today, I decided I had no idea what I wanted, except I was pretty sure I wanted seafood. Everything sounded good. So I made myself a few sample menus.
When I got to the restaurant (after very successful stops at Lerner, Limted, and Gap, by the way), I decided on Option 3.
Let me just say that this was really REALLY good. Kung Pao scallops. Brown rice. So good. I didn’t even eat all the rice pictured here. I put half on my plate, committed to giving Nathan the other half for lunch tomorrow, and didn’t even entertain the idea of eating any more.
Was my little plate of scallops worth all 513 calories? Heck yeah! It was nice to sit in a restaurant. Eat something that tasted rich and decadent. And spicy to boot.
I really like the power of information. I realize that nutritional info isn’t a perfect science – that I didn’t have a measuring cup or a food scale with me – but I like that I was able to make a reasonable estimation. In a nice restaurant. I didn’t have to ask for anything prepared specially for me (not that I have a problem doing that when necessary) or be obvious to the people I was dining with.
And I really liked that I had options planned out. What if I had decided earlier in the day I was going to get the lemon shrimp but wasn’t feeling that when I got there. I would have either gotten frustrated and ordered my usual fat-loaded meal or I would have gotten something I really didn’t want because it sounded healthy.
I felt prepared. And responsible. And empowered.
I am just tickled pink at myself today. And I can’t wait to create similar “Krissie Menus” for all my favorite eating spots.
So what restaurants do you have all figured out?
How awesome! I love checking out what I can eat like this, and you are totally right, knowing the calories makes it more fun! That looks super tasty :)
Krissie – I love the idea of creating personalized menus for all of your favorite places. I may have to borrow your idea. :-)
Um. Zero. I have figured out menus for zero restaurants. I have been strictly in the Avoiding Camp or the Eat Until You Puke Camp regarding restaurants.
Because I’m an idiot, apparently.
However, NOW I will join Camp Krissie (I almost made that camp with a ‘K’ but I thought it would be too cutesy. Campy? Okay, I’ll stop.) and make myself a few options at each of my favorite places.
You? Genius.
That’s such a great idea for the restaurants and for you to have figured it out. We usually avoid eating out for the same reason – don’t know what to order that fits into our diet du jour and therefore we avoid because we know we’ll just order fattening things. Good for you!
I usually check restaurants out before I go there so I know my options. The times I haven’t, I’ve regretted it.
Unfortunately, the one restaurant that I have my meal plan planned out for (and memorized) is Taco Bell and Subway. :( Funny thing is that I don’t even like Taco Bell that much. My assistant often picks my lunch up for me if I’m eating out so she has my menu for these two places memorized.
I’ve just had to learn to make sure to look at the column headings when I’m reviewing a restaurants nutritional facts before going — too many times I’ve read the weight column (which shouldn’t be first, btw) instead of the calories. Pretty frustrating. Also be sure you check to make sure that what they say is what’s actually served to you. Dressings are often calculated separately.