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Secret Shopping Without Gaining Weight

December 16, 2007 by Cathy Stucker 2 Comments

There are lots of restaurant and fast food shops available, and eating many of your meals on mystery shops can lead to making poor food choices and eating too much. Here is how you can be a secret shopper without piling on the pounds.

It starts with the shops you select. Although at times it is just a matter of taking whatever is available, when you have choices look for shops that do not involve any food (such as retail, banks and apartments), or choose mystery shops at restaurants where you can make healthful food choices.

When you do fast food shops you may have to taste the food, but that does not mean that you have to eat it all. Share it with your family or a friend, save it for later or just throw it away. We are conditioned not to “waste” food, and that leads to eating lots of things we shouldn’t. Look at it this way: If you do not want or need the food, throwing it away means it goes to waste, but eating it anyway means it goes to your “waist.” Which is worse?

Casual and fine dining shops may require you to order more food than you ordinarily would. For example, you may have to order an appetizer, two entrees and sides, and dessert. With portions as large as they are at many restaurants, that is often way too much food for two people. Whether we are mystery shopping or not, my husband and I often bring home enough leftovers from restaurants to make another meal. That way we do not overeat, and I get another evening when I do not have to cook.

Alcohol is another caloric challenge on shops. Many upscale and fine dining mystery shops require a visit to the bar or that you order a bottle of wine. Although ordering an alcoholic beverage at the bar may be required, typically it is not necessary for both you and your companion to order alcohol. If your companion wants a drink, you can order a diet soda or coffee. If you choose to order alcohol, avoid the calorie-packed, fruity and sweet drinks and get something lighter, such as a rum and diet cola or gin and tonic.

Depending on local laws, you may be able to take home a partial bottle of wine if you do not drink it all. Learn the laws in your area to determine if you are allowed to do this, and how the wine must be transported. Many state and local laws do not allow you to have an open container in the passenger area of the vehicle, so you would have to put it in the trunk.

In addition to watching what you eat, look for ways to get more physical activity into your day. Wear a pedometer and set a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day. Do not take the parking space closest to the door, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and look for other ways to work in a little walking while you shop.

What do you do to keep from gaining weight while you mystery shop?

Filed Under: Hazards of Mystery Shopping

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Comments

  1. Penina says

    December 17, 2009 at 5:38 am

    When I have to do a fast food burger shop, I will ask to load it with veggies, skip the cheese, then when I sit to eat, I just taste the top bun, let the grease run into the bottom bun, and eat the veggies and some of the patty with a fork…I have no idea how many calories I skip this way, but it feels right…..

    Reply
    • Cathy Stucker says

      December 21, 2009 at 8:47 am

      @Penina, when you make a special request it takes your order out of the normal flow, and can affect the timing. Be very cautious about doing this, and always make sure it is allowed by the shop guidelines.

      Reply

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