I need some advice:
We’re going to a Chinese restaurant this weekend and I’m not a fan of much Asian cuisine. Sorry to anyone who loves it. It’s just never been my thing. Just looking at pictures of the food makes me queasy. I don’t want to miss out on the fun by not going but I’m also not going to eat something I don’t like. There is literally nothing on the menu that looks appetizing to me, I see no steamed veggies, rice or anything. So, do I go and eat before? I don’t want to sit there awkwardly, not eating.. I guess I could always ask for a dish without the sauce? What are your thoughts?
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Lately I’ve been interested in some different pre-workout snacks or just snacks during the day. Some days I just need a snack on the go. Fruit is usually my go to option but the days when I’m lacking on protein it’s not really convenient to carry around a carton of cottage cheese. Although I definitely would if I had a mini-fridge. I received a sample pack of Medjool dates from nutsonline and decided to use them in a recipe.
Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
adapted from Runwithspoons and Keepnthefaith
Ingredients
- 3 Medjool dates
- 2 Tbsp Old-fashioned oats
- 2 Tbsp Almond Butter
- Scoop of protein powder – I used Optimum Nutrition Hydrowhey Velocity Vanilla. I only used a half scoop because I didn’t want to make them too dry. Half scoop of this stuff was a good idea.
- A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips
Instructions
By the way this is the first time I have eaten dates and they’re delicious on their own. I saved 2 just to eat by themselves
1. Process dates until chunky. Mine ended up turning into a massive ball so I separated it into smaller chunks by hand.
2. Add in the 2 Tbsp of oats and protein powder and process until crumbly. They may chunk up into one big ball. Again I separated this giant ball by hand. My mini food processor isn’t the best.
3. Add in almond butter. Of course I used Barney’s but I was hesitant. This stuff is addictive and expensive. I use it sparingly when making recipes.
4. Process until fully combined
5. Add in mini chocolate chips and roll!
I have never had a protein ball before but these were absolutely delicious. It helps that all of the ingredients are my favorite. I could have used maybe a little more almond butter but they stuck together just fine. The flavors all really stood out on their own and it really did have that texture of raw cookie dough. Delicious.
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What’s your favorite pre-workout snack? post workout snack?
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I feel your pain about social events at places you’d never eat on your own! I can’t help but be repulsed by the sights/smells/flavors of Asian cuisine as well…for me, it’s a very strong “I’m going to feel guilty if I eat this and I don’t even WANT it”! Personally, that’s enough of a deterrent for me to eat before and suffer through the slightly accusatory/concerned/curious glances when I just ask for a water. With other types of cuisine that I don’t absolutely love, I try eating a little at home before splitting an entree with someone or I try to modify a dish on the menu (but I agree it’s very hard for me to find ANYTHING appealing when it comes to Chinese food).
I’ve found it helps to explain to the group you’re out with that you didn’t want to miss out on their company even though Chinese food isn’t your favorite. Also, try suggesting going out for ice cream or something afterwards – so you can share part of the evening meal…even if you filled up on sweet potatoes and chicken beforehand
xoxo
I may try to see if I can get steamed rice and veggies! Thanks for the suggestions. It is hard to try and eat something you’re just grossed out by. It’s the smells that get to me
Oh, thats a touht one! Its no fun to eat something you dont like, but its no fun to not eat either :S Im like you, Im not into Asian food. I do like indian Iwhich I guess is Asian..), but I really cant stand chinise and thai
I dont know what you should do.. probably eat a little before you go, and maybe ask for something made “your way”? Maybe they are able to cook some chicken with veggies and no sauce or something? Good luck :*
I havent tried protein balls, but i have made a lot of raw balls- which are a little similar (with the dates and all). I actually just had an raw brownie as my pre-workout snack
Yes! I’m going to ask and see if they do steamed rice… well actually I’ll call before hand just to make sure I don’t end up going there and starving. I’d rather eat a little before hand than not eat at all
I generally have a muesli bar before a workout or parfait. Post workout, fruit and nuts. Although I’ve been wanting to try protein balls to see how it affects my workout.
Living in Australia, Asian cuisines are quite popular here since they are our closest neighboring countries. I actually really enjoy all types of Asian foods…but I do understand that yes some pictures of the dishes can make your stomach turn!
Give the protein balls a try! You’ll love them. They’re great little desserts too
if I were you I would just say eat the darn chinese food. Like, really? In the grand scheme of things it’s JUST FOOD. im sure your parents made you eat some broccoli when you were little… and you weren’t too happy about it.. but you know what . you ate it. and you moved on with your life. you need to pull yourself out of this ED mindset.
I feel this is a little harsh, you don’t need to eat something that you cant stand because I am SURE they will have steamed rice available (I have never heard of a Chinese place without rice haha), and some chicken and veggies that can be ordered with out sauce if you need plain jane. But I do have to agree that you need to get out your ed mindset – so many of your posts scream insecurities, but it seems like you are improving at least! and even you know that only fruit for a workout snack just does not cut it girl, those balls look good tho
I love banana’s and yogurt before a workout and a more solid meal afterwards. I love wonton soup at Asian cuisine places. Alot of Asian cuisine places will have good stirfry’s if you look. I am not a huge fan,,,but some stuff is pretty good. PS- this recipe is amazing!
Yes banana and almond butter with either yogurt or cottage cheese is always a must before a workout!
Oh girl I’m with ya, chinese food NEVER EVER agrees with me. I think the MSG rips up my gut. I always ask the waiter to bring out a plain entree, like plain rice with plain meats and veggies. They kinda look at me freaky, but I just let them know the sauce gives me major indigestion haha If need be, you could always pack a bar or snack to tide you over too!
Have a great weekend girl!
PS-those protein balls are amazeballs!! Now if only I owned a badass food processor like that haha
haha girl I know! It’s a NICE chinese restaurant though not like one of those hole in the wall places so it might be a little easier on my tummy… I still may just ask for steamed rice and veggies though. For some reason I’m just not a fan of sauces on anything. I like to add sauces to my liking.
Aw I am sorry you don’t like Chineese! Maybe they have sushi? Do you like that?
Your protein balls look great!
I’ve never had sushi! It’s not on the menu there either or I would have definitely given that a try
I’ve been meaning to try these out because a pre-workout snack of some sort is beyond needed in my life right now.
If I were you, I would eat something before so you’re not thinking about how hungry you are at dinner, and maybe get like white rice or steamed veggies if you can stomach that!
Going to a restaurant where you can’t eat anything sucks
Definitely give the protein balls a try. You can make them pretty much to your liking. I prefer the barney almond butter and optimum nutrition hydrowhey vanilla. but really ANY kind of combo will work.
I am sure you could have them make you a dish of steamed veggies if you asked – with whatever type of sauce you like – and if you want any other random things. Asian places around me usually have steamed veggies as a menu item (but maybe you aren’t feein that either)
I love protein balls.. although I will admit I haven’t made them ina while. The last ones I made used peanut flour…making me want to order another bulk of it
Hope everything works out for dinner – and I also like the idea of organizing ice-cream after!
haha! BULK<3 forever love buying things in bulk. I also like the idea of ice cream afterwards. It is for a birthday so I'm thinking it could be a definite option!
I’ve got to experiment with making myself some protein balls. That’s a hard situation with the chinese. Maybe just ask for a rice and veggie dish without the sauce that way it won’t taste as asian. Good luck!
You should really give some experimentation into the protein bundles of love! I’m sure you would have some great outcomes.
Protein balls make the most perfect pre workout snack. I love your recipe for these ones…they look fab!
Thanks! I just try to add everything I love into it
Now, I say this in your best interest, not to be mean since you are a girl who says you are actively trying to recover.
I think you need to be honest with yourself and ask if the menu makes you queasy because you don’t like it, or if it makes you queasy because it’s fear food. Are you seeing nothing you like on the menu, or nothing that is safe on the menu? When you are deep in disordered eating habits, it is often difficult to tell the difference. From the outside, it seems pretty obvious.
I expect you will go and be able to order plain rice with plain steamed veggies, and you will write about it saying how happy and satisfied you were, but you are doing no service to your disordered way of thinking.
I would say go out for the meal. It will be a social occasion too so try and enjoy the company. often people eat out at places they don’t like. My friend likes italian and I am not overly keen but tend to go as I know she likes it. Their may be something that you like and resturants will often adapt menus if your not sure on the saucse you could ask for it on the side so you can have as much or little as you like.
I know it can be hard eating out at different places to where you usually eat but the more you do it the easier it gets. On a side note stir frys are my favourite meals and they often do have loads of veggies.
for snacks I like cereal bars some have a good protein content, also I take soya milk cartons with me as fruit doesn’t get me far lol. When I’m at home my post wrkout snack is usually some toast with nut butter or cttage cheese.
Eee I’m so addicted to these little cookie dough balls, it’s not even funny. I eat at least 1 or 2 every day. They make a great pre-workout snack, or just something delicious to munch on any time
My fave pre-workout snack at the moment is cottage cheese mixed with protein powder and cocoa, with a banana and nut butter on the side.
Holy yummo. Chocolate chip protein balls, sign me up!
For thee whole Chinese food thing, you cud always order like steamed veggies. You could eat before, and pack a snack
Those protein balls look super yummy.
As for the Chinese place–were there any salads on the menu? Sometimes the Chinese places have more “Americanized” appetizers too–I love appetizers at Chinese places. If you’re into fried glory that is.
Every once in a while, I love a good greasy appetizer!
Glad you liked them!! I really need to try some of that nutbutter. It sounds so dang amazing!
I think that when you’re going to a social event it’s more about the people you’re with than the food. Even if something doesn’t look appetizing, why not just try something new? And if you end up not liking it, just don’t finish it. It might even come off to others as a bit selfish to become moody and irritable just because you have very particular needs or preferences to foods. I think you’re putting too much thought into food; just go with the flow.
yes, stop fretting so much… your only feeding your disorder… one day you will hopefully see how crazy your thoughts are. but at this point you are prob only taking these comments as “negative” because you are still a little stuck. good luck, push yourself, your strong!
Hmmm..actually, most of the Chinese/Asian places I’ve ever gone to offer a ton of vegetables tofu, and lean meats but I’m not sure about the place you’re talking about. But yeah, I’d definitely at least order something and ask for it without the sauce. Like, we wentto one place yesterday and they actually offered their dishes either stir fried or steamed, would sub meats for shrimp or tofu, and offered brown rice instead of sticky. Most places are pretty cool about that.
OMG I need to make some protein bites. I have had some in the past, but never made my own. These look DEEELiissh.
As for your restaurant dilemma, def do nooott eat something you don’t like! Maybe call ahead and see if they can make special dishes, or just go hoping that they can. A lot of the times if you ask for a side of something without sauce or with extra veggies they will be accommodating. My fav cuisine is either Mexi or Italian! YUMM. HAve fun!
I’m a big fan of asian food, but usually when it involves lots of veggies or rice or tofu. In my experience, a restaurant will generally be pretty accommodating if you want to order something simple that isn’t really on the menu – but you may want to call ahead of time just to give them a heads up. If it’s just some veggies or something simple, though, you really should have no problem – just don’t be afraid to ask
And your protein balls look delicious!
Thanks! The kids menu doesn’t look too bad… and I figure if they do rice and veggies for the kids maybe they’ll fix me up a dish too
I don’t like Chinese food either–I usually just order a custom stir-fry or just pick off of Andy’s plate and then eat the fortune cookie.
I think that’s what I may end up doing
I’m not a big Asian food fan either, so I understand. I have no problem not eating at restaurants, even if everyone else is. The way I see it- I don’t like to spend money on something that I don’t love! I’d rather spend the money on a good meal. My friends are used to this by now. If we go out to eat somewhere that I don’t want to eat, I’ll just eat beforehand and go along for company. If we go somewhere I like, I have no problem eating out. I don’t think this has anything to do with an ED in your case, like other people are suggesting. Don’t force yourself to eat something if you don’t like it, but I hope you find something that you like!
Thanks for the nice comment and support! My boyfriend has already told me it’s okay if we eat somewhere before hand and I can just pick off of his dish if I’m interested. I’m glad I’m not alone in the whole not eating with others if I don’t want to!
the thing about restaurants is, they want you to be happy. just ask them to steam the veg & whatever else you want. i’ll usually pick a dish, ask them to steam it instead of stirfry/deepfry/bake/etc. and then ask for sauce on the side. you can also call ahead to make sure they’ll do this for you!
I think that’s what I may do! It’s pretty hard to mess up rice and veggies steamed
the great thing about chinese restaurants is they typically will do what you ask them, as long as you just let them know. I don’t do the whole oil/fry/butter thing at all, and i dont know a chinese restaurant that doesn’t have a steamer so i always make sure to let them know i want everything steamed and all sauces on the side. as long as you’re nice they’re nice. but calling ahead is a good idea as well, that way they’ll know you’re coming too!
[ps] hi im a new follower and think you are super cute! just wanted to introduce myself!
awe! Thank you for the sweet comment. I’m definitely going to call ahead to check
I haven’t been to a restaurant that hasn’t accommodated to my order .. well I have been but I just send it back
As hardy and un-tasty as it may be, I’d find something to order and eat anyways. Eating at restaurants that had no dishes I was comfortable with/ personally liked and was vegetarian was one of the biggest challenges I had to overcome in recovery. At any restaurant–no matter what cuisine–I know there is something that I can stomach. Whether my eating disordered brain is okay with it is another story. That’s why I don’t listen to my eating disordered brain. A few months ago, I ate at a very nice yet small restaurant. The two vegetarian things they had on their menu were stuffed mushrooms and alfredo lasagna. I’m not a fan of mushrooms, and alfredo honestly isn’t my favorite. My eating disorder also hates anything soaked in cream. I was hungry though and didn’t want to act as though I had any issues with food, so I ordered the lasagna. Yes, I felt a little guilty after and it wasn’t the most enjoyable meal, but I was so proud of myself for telling Ed to stuff it. Think about it this way, you are going to eat at least 3 times a day for the rest of your life (probably more). One unenjoyable meal is like nothing : ) .00000000000000000000000000001% of your life’s meals. Nothing when you look at the big picture. You can always special order to. I don’t eat meat, but I know Asian places always have chicken options. You could order chicken with veggies? Or you can order soup or potstickers. You’ll figure it out! Good luck girl!
hahaha thanks so mcuh! “.00000000000000000000000000001% of your life’s meals” that made me laugh! cause it’s so true
I’m definitely not a fan of Asian cuisine either. The first time i visited a Chinese restaurant when I was younger, I swear I tried almost everything they had. I didn’t like anything except for their ham.
I think you should try something on the menu! You never know, you could find something that you love. But if you really feel that there won’t be anything for you, then just eat before or after. I am still not comfortable eating out because I feel “safer” when I prepare my meals. I only recently visited 32 Degrees (a frozen yogurt place) and got some frozen yogurt. It was my first time eating outside of my house in almost a year.
After I left the frozen yogurt shop, I was so glad that I tried something new because it turned out oh-so-yummy!
Chances are that your experience at the Chinese restaurant would not turn out like my first time eating Chinese.
So I say go for it! I hope everything works out.
I am sorry you feel uncomfortable with the chinese, but maybe give yourself some type of “free pass” ? and try something new, and tell ed to shut up! You may actually find you might enjoy it!
thanks! I’ve looked at the menu again and there are a few things on there I may consider trying.. seafood tofu soup doesn’t sound half bad!
I adore Thai food and Japanese food.. yummmy
those protien balls look good!
and girl… you can do this!! you are strong!! just push past any ED thoughts.. its negativity… allow POSITIVE thoughts to come to mind.. A new experience!!! and new challenge!! scary at first, yes… but believe in yourself <3 I have a really hard time eating out… but like a lot of other comm-enters,
that’s a great idea for a sporty snack! i’ve never eaten Thai or Japanese food……it doesn’t appeal to me either!
I love Asian cuisine as well as Italian…pasta and sushi are my favorite foods!
And if you are uneasy, try something less saucy, like sauteed veggies with tofu, shrimp stir fry, etc. And ignore the stupid ED…crumple it up in one of the restaurant’s napkins and ask the waiter to throw it away in the garbage.
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I love that your Almond Buttah is NOT leveled off in the measuring cup. YUMMOH!
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