So, let me guess. You have been absolutely CRUSHING your Whole 30 and now your friends, relatives, or co-workers are asking you to go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You panic. You have researched all there is to know about the program, you’ve made your egg muffins for breakfast, you’ve meal-prepped your lunches for five days straight, and eating out just wasn’t part of any of those plans? First, breathe. You’re fine. This is completely normal and it WILL be okay. This blog post will address some of my best tips for how to manage eating out on Whole 30.

First, I will say…just don’t if you don’t have to. But believe me when I say, that it isn’t always possible. I was doing a round near the holidays and moving back to school, and there were some days where I had to eat out, but I just made really good choices.

1. TRY TO VOCALIZE PLACES YOU KNOW WORK ON WHOLE 30

If you know that you are going out to eat with friends, family, etc. try to give suggestions of places you know it will be easy to find Whole 30 compliant foods. For me, I look for places that have salads, burgers, or steak/veggies. That way, I know there will always be something for me to eat. Usually, many restaurants have burgers and salads, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I find trouble when people suggest going for sushi or something of that nature…that can be tricky.

2. LOOK AT MENUS AHEAD OF TIME

If you know where you are going, it might benefit you to look up the menu ahead of time and make a game plan. Doing this step will give you less anxiety when you get to the restaurant and sit down to order. If you have questions about the menu, you can also call ahead and see if they can accommodate any requests you may need. For example, almost every kitchen should have olive oil in the kitchen. So if it says they make their broccoli in butter, just asked if it can be steamed or cooked in olive oil.

3. PREPARE WHAT YOU NEED

This isn’t a great tip if you do not know where you are going ahead of time or it’s a spur of the moment meal, but if you know you are going somewhere, and there is a condiment you want to bring, stick it in a bag, or in your purse and take it with you. For example, say you know you are going to get a salad, but the dressing at the restaurant isn’t compliant. You can pack some W30 ranch or Caesar dressing in your bag. It may seem odd or uncomfortable the first few times you do it, but honestly, people (including my grandma) carrying around Tabasco in their purse, so you are fine.

4. BURGERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND

Whenever I go out on Whole30, 95% of the time I get a hamburger wrapped in lettuce, or on a bed of lettuce. And then I load that puppy up with whatever veggies I please. If I know I am going ahead of time, I pack some W30 Primal Kitchen mayo in my bag, roll up my sleeves, and get down to business. And when I say down to business, I mean stuffing an entire burger into my mouth in less than 5 minutes, you know, the only kind of business I want to be a part of! 🙂

5. DON’T OVERTHINK IT OR COMPARE YOUR FOOD TO OTHERS

One of the reasons I say, “try not to go out to eat if you don’t have to” is because it can be mentally and emotionally hard for you. It’s not fun to watch your friends eat a bowl of pasta, or nice warm rolls, or french fries (you are drooling right now, pull it together). Remember that you are on this journey for YOU. This journey is going to give you a healthier relationship with food and make these outings a little easier for you in the future. Similarly, don’t overthink other people’s ignorance. There will always be people who will question what you are doing, why you are doing it, and poke fun at it. Shrug it off and remember that you are making a positive change in YOUR life! And if your friends aren’t supportive…well, I think you already know what I have to say. Just remember, find people who lift you up and share your optimistic, hardworking spirit!

I hope you found this helpful! Feel free to ask questions in the comments below!

xoxo,

Taylor

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