Diet Destroyers: The American Steakhouse

 

http://www.hardrock.com.hk/menu/index.php

     Meat and potatoes. What defines Americans more? It's the meal men crave at the end of the day. A huge slab of red meat, with a side of creamy mashers. Nothing better to absolutely stuff oneself with. Unfortunately, with the amount of wine that is usually consumed with a steak-and-potatoes meal, people usually leave steakhouses drastically over their daily calorie allotment. 

1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 

http://www.eldoradobbq.com/ordereze/Catering/Summary.aspx

      I am totally a mashed potato girl. Honestly. If I didn't have public decency and someone put a plate of good mashed potatoes in front of them, I would probably stick my face in them. Unfortunately, these starchy sides are not light on the calories. Regular mashers are a lot better, but the typical garlic mashed potatoes found on steakhouse menus are about 320 calories (135 from fat) per serving... pretty rough considering it's JUST a side dish.

2. Shoestring Potatoes

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39258668@N00/29297219

     Do you ever order the shoestring fries to come along with your meal, and intend to split them with the rest of the table? My family does often. These salty, crunchy, AMAZING bites are just so easy to eat. But just because they go down easy doesn't mean they're healthy... in fact, they do something else with ease too... transform into fat cells. 1 tiny OUNCE of these little guys is 150 calories (81 from fat)... and considering you're probably also eating a salad, a steak, potato side, and drinking wine... it really adds uneccessary hurt to an already painfully heavy meal. 

3. Lone Star Steakhouse's Texas Ribeye 

 

http://www.ploughbasted.co.uk/steak.html

     A true man's meal, no? Approximately 14 oz. of 100% American beef. It's also approximately 1,092 calories (with a whopping 794 of them from fat). Most people who order this down the whole thing, not including their sides and wine, and easily are a pound heavier in the morning.

4. Sirloin Steak

 
 

http://pinegrovemarket.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

      Although it's less caloric then the ribeye (simply because it's from a different part of the cow so the fat content is different) this cut of meat brings at least 789 calories to the table, with 424 being from fat. Again, because humans have been hardwired since time began to crave heavy, protein-rich meals, most people will eat this entire cut, along with sides and wine. 

5. Bread and butter

 

http://thewanderingeater.com/2007/04/27/an-artful-lunch-at-the-modern-bar-room/

     Always, always, always will you find these tasty starters placed in a basket on your table. STAY AWAY. Save your hunger for your meal (and save yourself the calories)! You came to the restaurant for a steak, not for the bread. 1 piece of bread is around 150 calories, with 14 from fat, but the real killer is butter. 1 teeny TABLESPOON is 102 calories with, you guessed it, ALL 102 CALORIES FROM FAT. 

     When the food is there, it's hard not to eat it. Trust me, I know. That was my biggest problem and it was why I got so heavy. Here are some hints that REALLY helped me cut back on unnecessary calories, and in the long run, my weight.

1. Look up the menu online. Try and do this as early in the day as you can. I understand that often dinner is only decided when it gets closer to the evening, but if you even are considering a steakhouse (or any restaurant for dinner) Google the menu, see what looks good, and plan your daily meals accordingly.

2. Plan your meals accordingly. Decide whether you want to eat little during the day, so you can treat yourself to a larger dinner, or decide whether you want to eat a bit heavier during the day, so you will be less tempted to eat as much for dinner. However, if you do eat heavier, you HAVE to make yourself order/eat less of your dinner than you regularly would.

3. Stay away from bread. Like I mentioned, did you order the bread? Usually, no. DO NOT EAT WHAT YOU DID NOT ORDER. Save room for your dinner, which will contain important nutrients like protein that your body needs, not empty carbs slathered in pure fat. If you really find yourself starving, drink water. Often your body's hunger signals can be confused with the desire for water, so always sip before you eat.

4. Easy on the meat. Red meat is good, there is no denying that. But steakhouses offer a variety of meats, like much healthier fishes and poultry dishes. If you really have to have a cut of steak, order a petite filet, or split one of the larger cuts with a dinner partner. If you eat slowly, and drink and talk between bites, you'll quickly discover you don't need the entire 14 oz. of meat to feel satisfied. 

**calorie information found on caloriecount.about.com**

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