How I Eat at Staten Island Restaurants While Maintaining My Weight-Loss

Hi, I’m Megan Gaul.

I’m a health coach here on Staten Island, and I’ve also been maintaining my 100-lb weight loss since 2018. I’ve learned a lot about how to make weight-loss work in the real world, and that includes keeping your social life vibrant and fun (while still staying healthy).

I have a very simple Restaurant-Trip formula.

It’s so simple, I didn’t realize it was a formula until I decided to try writing it down.

1️⃣ ⚪Surround

2️⃣ 🫡Honor

3️⃣ 📉Reduce

4️⃣ ⚖️Balance

5️⃣ ✨Sprinkle!

6️⃣ ❤️Enjoy

This formula is the key to staying in a healthy weight range while loving every minute of my social life.

If I employ these 6 steps, I naturally consume less, enjoy myself more, and alleviate all that “diet-mentality” anxiety that used to go along with my restaurant meals. I know you can do the same!

This is what each Restaurant-Trip step looks like, in more detail.

⚪Surround:

I plan light and filling meals around the restaurant trip.

🫡Honor

I choose what I’m craving, not what the “diet folk” tell me to get.

📉Reduce

I make my order an “at-home” portion.

⚖️Balance

I pair it with something filling and nutritious.

✨Sprinkle!

I choose one “extra” to make the meal special.

❤️Enjoy

I embrace my plan and I don’t let anyone pressure me into changing it if I don’t want to.

Here’s an example of this formula in action.

I was headed to an excellent local restaurant called Maizal, here on the Island.

First, I worked on Surround.

I had a filling breakfast (a peanut butter Greek-Yogurt bowl),and a high-protein high-fiber kale salad with chicken for lunch. I chose to have a smaller afternoon snack than normal, but I still kept it high in protein. I also love sweet stuff, so I planned low-calorie but delicious dessert for myself when I got home. (It was this amazing high-protein chocolate pudding. Drool-worthy!)

Next, I worked on Honor.

The menu was full of delectable choices, but what stood out to me was something on the specials menu (the roasted corn salad with avocado and feta). Sweet corn, salty feta, rich avocado, a pop of red onion and cilantro; it just sounded incredible. So to honor my cravings, I decided to go with my gut.

When I was at the restaurant, I remembered the Reduce step.

If the roasted corn salad turned out to be huge, I’d have enjoyed half of the plate & would ask for a take-out box to transport the rest home for another day. But the dish turned out to be a small plate, and it looked like just about 2 cups total. So it was the perfect size for me to enjoy the whole thing.

I took steps to Balance my order.

I got a house salad with grilled chicken breast to accompany the roasted corn. This was a low-calorie way to add some protein and fiber to my meal. Plus, it was something great to munch on while our party was chatting away and enjoying our time.

I never forget a Sprinkle!

I wasn’t in the mood to drink, and I wasn’t craving chips and salsa. But I WAS intrigued by what my partner ordered for himself.

So, my “Sprinkle” WAS tasting bites of the sweet plantain appetizer and the enchiladas verde, both incredibly dreamy and luxurious. I also ordered myself a rich dark black coffee to cap off the meal.

As a side-note, I choose different “sprinkles” every time. Sometimes it’s a few cocktails, sometimes it’s an app, sometimes it’s a dessert. It all depends on what I’m in the mood for and what looks delish!

I was sure to Enjoy the plan I put together.

I was offered a drink a few times, but politely declined & ordered a seltzer with lime instead. I took my time with my roasted corn dish and my salad, savoring every bite.

This 6-Step Restaurant-Trip Formula is a game-changer.

I love that once I plan out what I’m going to order, it relieves any stress about my health goals, and I can focus on the conversation & the good company. Give this a try next time you head to Denino’s, Beso, Ruddy & Dean’s, or even Angelina’s!

Do you need help with this?

If you need a partner to guide you through the ups and downs of your weight-loss journey, including any of the 6 steps above, my 1-on-1 coaching program is for you.

Can’t wait to connect!