Kevin worked late last night so I grabbed dinner with my sister. My two favorite cuisines are Japanese (sushi, specifically) and Thai, and luckily, those are two of my sister’s favorites as well. Given this, we headed over to Sea Thai to satisfy our Thai cravings. Between the holidays and many social activities, I feel like I’ve been eating very heavily. I know I need to slow down the eating train to set healthy habits with grad school starting and as my time and energy to workout decreases. My goal is to balance inevitable shortage of gym time with healthier eating.
Usually when I go out for Thai food, I lick my plate clean, and that plate is usually full of a huge mound of either white rice soaked in creamy curry or carb-laden pad thai. Last night I tried to eat lighter, but forgoing my Thai staples was not an easy task.
I didn’t completely miss out on my favorites. My sister and I shared an order of shrimp summer rolls to start.
After much deliberation over my entree, I finally settled on the garlic and pepper tofu. It sounded light and healthy.
Then it came out, and I realized the tofu was fried. Whoops. A for effort? The tofu was served with broccoli on a bed of steamed cabbage in a sweet and garlicky sauce. There was chopped garlic sprinkled all over the tofu. The dish was served with rice, which I didn’t need to eat. The tofu was plenty. Although it wasn’t my old reliable curry or pad thai, I really enjoyed it. The garlic made everything taste so fresh, and the sauce was delicious. I may request the tofu not fried next time. I think the dish would be just as wonderful.
Even though it was a small step, I felt good about my dining decisions, and that really is half the battle. Plus, I felt much better at the gym this morning than I would have the morning after a super filling meal.
What are your tricks for saying no to tempting foods?
Great idea! I really want to try Sea Thai – my favorite Thai places are Royal Thai on Semoran (it’s good try it!) and Napasorn downtown. I’m also a big vietnamese food fan (Ang Hong??)
My tips for avoiding temptations? Not having them in the house and making trips to those restaurants where they are a rare occasion!
I love Napasorn!! That is definitely one of my favorites.
I just wrote a comment but I don’t think it saved! Anyway I was going to say that food looks great! I want to try Sea Thai. My favorite Thai places are Royal Thai on semoran (try it – it’s good!) and Napasorn (spelling?) downtown. I’m also a big fan of Vietnamese (colonial and mills ftw!)
As far as how to avoid temptation? I keep the stuff out of my house and make trips to those restaurants that are the largest temptation for me a rare occasion! I think that’s what my original comment said..
close enough!
“A” for effort is right
I think you did a great job, even if the tofu was fried! Sometimes I find myself eating less food if I allow myself heavier dishes than if I were to force something overly healthy down my throat. Buttery entrees never tasted so good 
Oh, and I HAVE to mention how much I miss Sea Thai
I’ve always wanted to try Thai food. The closest I’ve ever gotten to having Thai was trying the Pad Thai at PF Changs. It was so good.
A for effort – you didn’t realize! That dish sounds good – I’ll have to keep an eye out for it next time I go out for Thai food!
I need to go to Sea Thai!!! Dan even works across the street from it and we STILL haven’t been. That’s it – I need to meet him for lunch some day!
As for avoiding temptation – when it comes to food I just don’t buy it. And I come up with alternatives that make me just as happy (although when a craving hits – I’m not going to deny it, at least in moderation because that will just make it worse!). When it comes to other things (like spending money on stuff I don’t really need), well…that’s harder!
I have a serious aversion to willpower, especially in restaurants. I’ve always been too willing to let myself “get what I want” when I’m out to eat, telling myself that it was a special treat to be eating in a restaurant. But I’ve had way too many of those special allowances. I’m glad the healthier option was still tasty. I feel like I never choose wisely when I try to go that route. Yes, definite A for effort. If it didn’t say it was fried, how were you to know? Still probably a lot better than what you would have ordered otherwise. I need to try Sea Thai with all these rave reviews!