{"id":3027,"date":"2025-12-09T13:20:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=3027"},"modified":"2025-12-09T13:20:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:20:26","slug":"welcome-back-to-dining-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/welcome-back-to-dining-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to eating out \u2013 the Slimming World way!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many of us, eating out can be a challenge when we\u2019re trying to slim. Planning ahead and sticking to our weight loss guns can be more difficult when we\u2019re faced with the sight (and smell!) of our favourite pub grub or a freshly cooked restaurant meal, and sometimes our old triggers could resurface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If dining out is something you struggle with, we\u2019re here to help. At Slimming World, we have a deep understanding of the psychology of slimming and more than 55 years of experience in helping slimmers to diffuse their danger zones and take control of their triggers.

Our healthy eating plan is based around everyday foods like lean meats, pasta and potatoes \u2013 the kind of thing you\u2019ll see on any menu \u2013 and that means eating out is perfectly possible for our members. Here\u2019s how Slimming World<\/a> can help you to eat out and still lose weight…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More on the blog:<\/strong>
Frankie\u2019s story \u201cI lost 4st while still enjoying my favourite restaurants\u201d<\/a>
Discover freedom from guilt, self-sabotage and feeling restricted<\/a>
Revealed! Why calorie counting doesn\u2019t add up to long-term weight loss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Plan for slimming success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most high street restaurant chains have online menus. Spending a few minutes thinking about what you\u2019ll have in advance can help you avoid less-healthy last-minute choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More for members: Every Slimming World member receives a Food Optimising book<\/a>, which includes the Swip values of some popular restaurant menu choices. If you can\u2019t find a specific dish, more general restaurant dishes can be used as a guideline. You\u2019ll also have access to a handy online Food Search tool on the app and website.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take trigger foods off the table<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trigger foods are personal to every slimmer. They\u2019re the things that, once you start eating, you feel like you just can\u2019t stop. In your Slimming World group, your Consultant can help you to identify your trigger foods, and put a plan in place for minimising the effect they have on your weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More for members: Look up the article \u2018Identify your craving culprits\u2019<\/a> for more tips on tackling those triggers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make smart swaps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember the saying \u2018the customer is always right\u2019…? Don\u2019t be scared to ask for menu substitutions in order to make your own \u2018smart swaps\u2019. For example, plain boiled rice is a much healthier option than pilau or fried.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Dann Sullivan<\/a> has lost 5st 2lbs with Slimming World, while still enjoying meals out. He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always enjoyed going out for food. It was, and still is, a big part of my social life. These days, I make simple swaps and have the confidence to ask for things to be cooked differently. If I really want something on the menu that I know will take me over my Swip allowance, I allow myself to have it. That\u2019s because I know that this is just one meal, I\u2019ve usually planned it and as long as I go straight back to Food Optimising, it won\u2019t cause me to gain weight in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More for members: Our \u2018Eating out on the high street\u2019<\/a> article has suggestions for simple food swaps at your favourite restaurant chains<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch out for the tipping point<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While for some, an alcoholic drink or two is all part of the enjoyment of eating out, it\u2019s wise to be mindful of our \u2018tipping point\u2019. Slimming World research shows that, after a certain amount of alcohol (for some people that\u2019s one glass of wine \u2013 for others it might be three), our inhibitions weaken \u2013 along with our best intentions. Once we pass that tipping point, many of us will go on to eat and drink much more than we\u2019d planned \u2013 and if we feel tired or hungover the following day, we might also choose high-fat, high-sugar foods and cancel any exercise plans, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the quiz: Members can find more info in \u2018Say cheers to your weight loss\u2019 <\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 including a link to a quiz to help you find your own personal tipping point<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Keep a slimming mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One meal won\u2019t make us put on weight. The real danger area is the potential switch in our mindset \u2013 the feeling of \u2018I\u2019ve blown it now, I may as well forget Food Optimising altogether\u2019. And that\u2019s what could make all the difference to our long-term weight loss success. In Slimming World groups, we share effective science-based strategies, based on more than 55 years of experience in the psychology of weight loss, to help you overcome obstacles while staying in a slimming state of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More for members: Take a look at \u2018Getting into a slimming mindset\u2019 <\/a>for more on trigger foods, slimming danger zones and self-sabotage traps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visualise success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visualisation is one technique that can help us to stay in control of our menu choices. While she knew she absolutely could have enjoyed a restaurant pud while Food Optimising, Slimming World training manager Gill Allsop decided that she wanted to give dessert a miss and order her favourite main meal instead. Here\u2019s how she used visualisation to help her stick to her choice on the night:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew I was going out for a meal and, for me, it\u2019s not the main meal that\u2019s my problem, it\u2019s the pudding. So I pictured myself in the restaurant. In my mind the waitress would come to the table, ask, \u2018Do you want a dessert?\u2019, and I\u2019d say, \u2018No, thank you\u2019. I practised this every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it was time for the actual meal, the waitress came over (I knew she would because she\u2019d been coming for weeks!) and asked me if I wanted a dessert and I said \u2018No thank you\u2019. I didn\u2019t even have to think about it. I lost 3\u00bdlbs that week!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More for members: The article \u2018Picture yourself slim\u2019<\/a> has more visualisation tips and a helpful video to guide you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you enjoy eating out, there\u2019s no need to abandon your slimming plans \u2013 Slimming World members will find all the support they need to stay on track, both in group<\/a> and on the exclusive member app and website.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And should you fancy a night in, Slimming World members have access to more than 2,300 recipes on the app and website. With ideas for special occasions, fakeaways, Sunday roasts and much more, you can create your own slimming-friendly menu (and guarantee the very best seat in the house!)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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