Hello Everyone!

I'm about 39 lbs in to my 50 lb goal, so I'm on the halfway menu. I haven't had to purchase too much food, as I've had lots left in my freezer from past weeks, not to mention I'm now technically 4 days on, 3 days off. I'm still eating the Jenny meals as much as I can, probably more for the cost savings than anything.

This morning, looked in the pantry and freezer, and I have only dinners left- WHAT TO DO FOR LUNCH TODAY??!?!?!?! Oh no!

Here are the restaurants near my job:

McDonalds
Jack in the Box
Along with a slew of dive hamburger joints

I'm in a corporate office in the middle of an industrial area with lots of warehouses, so the pickings are slim in terms of what most of the workers would be happy eating.

What to do??

Pick up a salad from McDonalds. Watch the salad dressing and other "add-ons" for correct portions and nutritional balance (fat, carbs, protein) exchanges.

I liked your reply so I thought I'd ask you my question. My hubby takes me out once a month to Olive Garden, any ideas on the menu there ? I don't want to gain. Thanking you in advance.

For starters:
Garden-Fresh Salad: 1 serving without dressing, 70 calories if you hold the croutons (add 50 calories if you eat the croutons) and ask for dressing on the side or bring your own. (This is an unlimited salad so you can eat as much as you want, without the dressing/croutons of course. Remember veggies are our friends) If you have their dressing and croutons..this thing is 350 calories, so be careful. I don't think this has cheese but if it does, nix it as it only adds calories.

Sans breadsticks: no no no... Don't even think about it. Each one packs 150 calories! ( I love these things but man are they evil)

Entree: Again watch your portion size. No seconds and you probably want to split whatever pasta they serve into two. Stay away from the "never ending pasta bowls". Do not make your own dish, unless you plan on putting a ton of veggies, with a marinara sauce. No cream or meat sauces (added fat calories).

Safe choices:

Venetian apricot chicken: 380 calories 4g fat (yay!)
Capellini Pomodoro: 840 calories 17g fat (not bad) 141 carbs (This is a cut in half and take home)
Parmesan crusted Tilapia: 590 calories 25g fat
Linguine alla marinara: 430 calories 6g fat (yay!)

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You can go here: http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/garden_fa...information.asp to review item by item that they have on their menu. Arm yourself with information, create your menu ahead of time and stick with it. If you were eating a JC meal the calorie range for dinner is 270-300 max with a 250 once a week splurge. So the max calories for this dinner would be 550. Watch the fat and calories content of each dish. Lower fat dishes are the better choice.

JC isn't about NEVER eating off plan. It is teaching us how to make the right choices in the right amounts. Eat slowly. Put your fork down between each bite. Savor eat bite. In the Touchstone series, there is an exercise that has your close your eyes and smell the food you are about to eat. Then once you take a bite; notice the texture of the food, then the flavor. Be mindful of taste, smell and texture.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your night out!

Soups are also a good lunch choice.

You can request them without the pasta if you prefer. They don't add it until they plate it up. Some soups already have beans (like the minestrone) so you are getting your meats and starches, thus, no need for the extra pasta.

This is true, the soups are also a good choice as well. I made the assumption they were having dinner and would prefer more of an entree instead of a soup.

Their soups run from 100 - 250 calories and 4-8g of fat.

Thank you so very much !!! I will now be able to make the best choices. You rock !