Most of us know that dining out perhaps isn't the healthiest option
around, but let's face it - sometimes you just don't have the time or
energy to cook, dinner dates are fun, and you can't exactly say no when
your boss asks if you want to go out for lunch. For those situations,
follow these simple tricks to make sure you're not straying too far from
your diet when you eat out.
Check the Nutritional Info
I've
noticed a promising trend lately - more and more restaurants are
publishing calorie totals for each dish on their regular menus and many
menus have whole sections devoted to options that have less than a
certain number of calories. This is a good place to start, but it would
be even better to see a complete breakdown of where those calories are
coming from. Almost every major chain will have their nutritional
information posted online, so choosing an option before you even get to
the restaurant is a good way to ensure you're not loading up on junk.
Restaurants are also required by law to have nutritional information
available, so don't feel weird asking the server.
Ask for "It" on the Side
"It"
includes a lot of things: salad dressing, butter for your potato, any
"secret sauces" which are usually pretty high in fat, etc. By default,
restaurants will usually put a ton of any of these sauces or dressings
on for you, but if you ask for them on the side, you can control the
portion sizes and cut back on unnecessary calories.
Substitute the Fries
French
fries are a favorite side dish for a variety of entrées, even at some
higher class restaurants. Unfortunately, they pack a bunch of extra
calories and fat that can really throw off your weight loss plans.
Almost every restaurant will let you substitute the fries out for a
different side (some may charge a small fee but it's worth it when you
think about how many calories you'll save), so try a baked potato or
cooked broccoli instead.
Bring Home Leftovers
Portion
control is key to weight loss. Don't feel pressured to eat the whole
meal - restaurants have to-go boxes for a reason! You can even ask for a
to-go box before you start to feel full so when you are full, you're
not tempted to keep eating. You'll also save some money if you can make
your meal last for two meals.
Order Water
Not
only do you ultimately consume a bunch of sugar from ordering a soda or
lemonade, but water is cheaper (usually free) and it will help you feel
fuller faster to prevent you from over eating. During your meal, make a
conscious effort to sip water every so often - it'll help your food
digest and prevent overeating.
