At a restaurant, strive to be SPRUGAL in both money and calories. Live frugally and just eat half a meal--split with your friend, spouse, child, or take it home for another meal. Then splurge and have half a dessert as well! Hopefully you will find that you actually feel much better after eating a smaller-portion meal.
Kids meals—we NEVER bought kids meals at restaurants—just get an extra plate with your meal. You absolutely don't need as much food as is served on a restaurant plate, and in addition your child’s palette becomes really developed. I was discussing what a restaurant served with my younger son as we were driving there so that he would know what they had to eat, what to expect, etc. I then asked him if he knew what he would like to eat for dinner, and he said, “Oh, my usual . . . some of whatever you're having."