Ksmith's Journal, 11 September 2008

Hi KSmith - Congrats on the pound lost. Doesn't it feel good when you step down to the next 10 pounds? I'm working for the 280s right now. :) My job requires that I dine out with people quite often and it is a real struggle for me. Between the wonderful carby food available and the sodium it can be tough to stay on plan and deal with water retention. I do a lot of web surfing for nutritional values before I go to a restaurant. I looked into Outback for you and found a site that estimates values (Outback doesn’t publish their nutritional values). Here is what I found. Aussie Fries (full order) Total Size: 28oz (3 1/2 cups) Calories: 2900 Total Fat: 182 grams Carbs: 240 grams Protein: 75 grams Fiber not provided. The Outback Honey Wheat Bushman Bread Serving Size: 1 oz Total Fat: .9 grams Carbs: 14.2 grams Protein: 2.7 grams Fiber not provided If you have your heart set on the fries and bread I would suggest planning very carefully for Sunday. Plan your food for the whole day and factor in how much of these foods you can have before you get to the restaurant…and then stick to it. If you aren’t careful you could really set yourself back. I know it is really hard….but honestly; I think in the long run you would be better off skipping these things. Good luck! Traci  

Good luck at Outback, after reading Tracie's carb counts for the fries I can see why Outback doesn't publish their nutritional values. my job requires me eat out with others often, its hard to make the right (or preferred) choices but most of the time one bite is all its takes now days to end that little binge, carbs no longer taste as good as I remember them, but those mixed drinks--margaritas--tempt me on a regular basis. We all have ours "demons" to conquer, good luck Sunday! 

I think I would go for one slice of the bread as an indulgence and skip the others. At least that's workable. I also worry more about starting the cravings again. I think that's more of a concern. Good luck! 

I agree with dwhummers, I see WHY they don't publish their nutritional values. Steakhouses are one of my favorite places to go now that I'm on Atkins. My experience is that when I'm done with my salad, steak and shrimp, double veggies on the side I am so sattisfied with my meal and I don't get that heavy feeling (from the carb load) afterwords. I walk away feeling sattisied and happy. One bite is quite deadly on this diet. Think about whether it is really worth it. Paige has a good point. Maybe if you feel like a cheat meal, go for one and not the other. I think you might find that it really isn't as good as you remember it. At least that is my experience. Of course I learned the hard way too. :) If we don't test our limits we don't learn where they are. Good luck! We've all been there.  

I agree with dwhummers, I see WHY they don't publish their nutritional values. Steakhouses are one of my favorite places to go now that I'm on Atkins. My experience is that when I'm done with my salad, steak and shrimp, double veggies on the side I am so sattisfied with my meal and I don't get that heavy feeling (from the carb load) afterwords. I walk away feeling sattisied and happy. One bite is quite deadly on this diet. Think about whether it is really worth it. Paige has a good point. Maybe if you feel like a cheat meal, go for one and not the other. I think you might find that it really isn't as good as you remember it. At least that is my experience. Of course I learned the hard way too. :) If we don't test our limits we don't learn where they are. Good luck! We've all been there.  

Not sure if it's too late to chime in, but if it were me I wouldn't even taste that stuff when you go! Eat something ahead of time, so you aren't starving when you get there. Just remember, Outback will be around for a long time and it's not like you can never have that stuff again ever. But for now while you're trying to create new habits and train your brain and body to crave the healthier foods, see if you can just cut that stuff out. You will appreciate it come weigh in day! It sounds like those nutritionals would be harmful even in small doses! And I'll bet there's lots and lots of sodium to derail you, too. Just my opinion! 

Okay..okay! LOL I think i am going to SKIP the bread & aussie fries! I will probably ask the waiter to bring my salad to me when they bring out the appetizers! I have to admit thou......I am going to Shreveport, LA-2hrs from hm-to shop @ the boardwalk & there is the MOST FABULOUS FOOD STORE!!!!!!!!!" THE CHOCOLATE CROCODILE!!! UGH! They have chocolate dipped strawberries as big as the palm of my hand! And they are so juicy! I was considering having 1!??  

Well, a dark-chocolate covered strawberry is probably a lot better indulgence than the bread and fries. One strawberry is about 1-2 nc, plus that little bit of chocolate isn't probably more than 5 nc if you get dark. Maybe THAT is worth it and count it in your daily. :) 

Excuse me, 1/4 cup of strawberry is 2.7 nc. I estimated wrong. If you are really good the rest of the day, you could probably still afford the treat.