Help, quick! Need safe tips for restaurants please!
#43859 - 02/09/04 09:34 AM
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Sommer
Reged: 02/09/04
Posts: 283
Loc: Phoenix, Arizona USA
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Hi everyone. I'm going all crazy on this board! I posted this question mixed into one of my other posts, but I haven't found any replies to it yet so I'm asking it again in its own thread. I'm supposed to go out to dinner with the in-laws and hubby tonight. Problem is, I dunno where we're going. My worst fear (and i know stress isn't going to help me) is how to handle it. This is my first time researching IBS on the internet and I found this site first thing and I need resources I can use now that i don't have to pay for and wait to ship. I can't afford anything major right now, unfortunately. My brain is like fried trying to process all this info. *snicker* But, anyways, I need some advice on how to make the best choices when going out to eat at a restaurant. Have you all had good experiences eating out at restaurants where they were really helpful when you asked questions or requested something specific? What kinds of questions do i ask? What do i look for that's IBS-safe on the menu and what should I avoid? I need as much input as possible! PLEASE!! *begging* You people are all I have! *desparate look* I have faith in myself that I can make the right choices, but i need guidelines and tips from those who've been on this IBS diet and know more of the in's and out's. Thank you in advance for your help! 
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XOXO from lil' ol' me. (IBS-C, mood disorders, etc., etc.)
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Well, not knowing the restaurant or kind is kind of tough. I mean, if you go for Mexican, you probably won't be able to get something like a baked potato, you know? 
OK - I'll try:
First off, try to find a soluble fiber - white rice, baked potato, white breads, tortillas.
Then, try to build around that. Grilled/broiled fish or chicken breast, stir-fry/grilled veggies (thinking Chinese), if Mexican chicken fajitas (ask for mimimal oil & extra tortillas).
Watch out for sauces (usually contain some type of dairy or high fat), dairy, oils.
Drink water. Try to take a fiber supplement before you go or before you eat. Fibercon/Equalactin would work great at the restaurant since they'r pills.
That's all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else, I'll post back. Good luck! 
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Thanks Mags! Mmm fajitas sound good. I almost always had them with beef. I can certainly go with chicken tho. Oh well, no sour cream for me tho right. Is salsa out of the question? I don't like guacamole that much so i should be okay avoiding that. And since the veggies are sliced and/or chopping they should be okay right? Mm, that's an excellent idea. I also figured if i got anything with baked potato as a side, i'd have to have it plain. Boohoo! Oh, what about seafood? I know it's tough to give advice when i can't be more specific. But thanks tons. I can't sleep and I'm hungry again. I still have cramping and it's really annoying. I'm also sitting here staring at a bag of cherry nibs. *BIGH SIGH* What if i ate some minute rice first? then can i eat cherry nibs?? :P
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XOXO from lil' ol' me. (IBS-C, mood disorders, etc., etc.)
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Language Barrier?
#43903 - 02/09/04 11:28 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Cherry nibs? Okay, that's a new one on me. Must be something foreign. Maybe Canadian?
Fish, FISH, FISH! You're in Canada, Girlfriend! They grow salmon there. Ooooh, salmon! GREAT source of essential omega-3 fatty oil. (That's a good kind.) Order
SALMON!
Yes, rice is an excellent choice. And bread too -- don't forget the French bread (isn't that what they usually serve you in restaurants? I never eat out -- it's too expensive!).
I can't help you with the Mexican food, sorry. I hate the stuff. Guacamole? EW. Salsa? Yuk.
Yes, the veggies are fine if they're cooked real well -- AND if you have your soluble fiber first. Eat the bread before anything, then the rice or pasta, THEN the veggies. And pass on the dessert. Sorry. 
Soy sour cream is fine, but you'd have to take your own. Can you imagine sitting at the table in the restaurant and pulling a jar of sour cream out of your big purse? 
And don't forget -- have fun!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Relax!! Stressing over this alone can cause problems. You'll be fine. My experience has been positive at restaurants. I have been to several since finding this website in January. I have found good things on menus and when I ask for changes to other items they have been more than happy to accommodate me. Even asking them to not use butter but instead none to very little oil when they grill or saute my food. I have asked for omelets made of egg whites with no problems.
Just last night we went out for seafood. I love scallops but the only ones on the menu were fried and came with French fries. I asked to have them grilled instead and replace the fries with a baked potato. They were happy to prepare them that way. One restaurant had nothing on the menu I could eat. They had a steak dinner that came with roasted potatoes & steamed vegetables. I ordered that and told the waiter to leave off the steak. He gave me a strange look but said, "Yes ma'am". I am sure they would have substituted grilled chicken if I asked but I wasn't that hungry.
Just remember, a good restaurant is going to want a happy customer and a good chef will welcome the challenge of making something different.
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"I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work." Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
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What the heck are cherry nibs? lol
Anyway, this is probably too late by now, but I had to tell you anyway. When I got back to work after lunch, I thought of telling you to ask for some peppermint or herbal tea at the restaurant. If they have it, great. If not, bring your own peppermint tea bags and just ask for hot water. Can't believe I forgot that one! 
On fajitas, definately skip the sour cream and cheese. I think they add extra oil to their guac too, but then again, you don't want that anyway! I'm usually fine with a little bit of salsa on there. I love fajitas! If you ever want to make them at home, try using HanSolo's Teriyaki Marinade Recipe. Just saute some thin sliced onion & pepper to go with it, and wrap in tortilla. Man, these things are to die for!!!
Anyway, back to restaurants...once I got grilled chicken breast with barbecue sauce with a baked potato on the side. I put a little of the BBQ sauce on the potato, and it wasn't that bad. If you get a place where they're done good, I can usually get away with just a little salt. Also, if they have baked sweet potato, go for that. You can always sprinkle a little cinnamon/sugar on there.
Pretty much all seafood is good, you just have to watch how it's prepared. They always have to throw dairy crap in everything! 
Also, for desserts, if they have sorbet, you may be able to have that. Just double check they don't sneak dairy in there either.
So, you'll have to let us know how your dinner turned out, okay?
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WEll, too bad I guess I won't be going out to dinner tonight. I'm still in a lot of pain but have to force myself to walk through the freezing canadian winter to go to the store or stores rather. I have to pick up some tea and supplement and some staples. I am not getting any better at all as it is.
Oh yeah, and cherry nibs are licorice made by Twizzlers brand licorice. They are cherry flavored bites of licorice and I actually had 1 after i had some white rice and it did nothing terrible to me. Yay. Licorice is also fat free. I'll keep all those restaurant tips in mind. Wish I knew where they were going so i could ask them to bring me something tasty. Ah well. Hubby had to leave before i got out of the shower. I'm gonna wait till my hair dries before i go out. Otherwise, my hair freezes. Hehe.
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XOXO from lil' ol' me. (IBS-C, mood disorders, etc., etc.)
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XOXO from lil' ol' me. (IBS-C, mood disorders, etc., etc.)
Print
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