With the range of restaurants available to us these days, eating out has become the norm rather than the exception. Gone are the days when going to a restaurant was an exclusive event saved for special occasions with family or friends. Busy lifestyles and busy schedules often make eating out a necessity, and for many people this can mean eating out several times per week and having more than one meal a day. Trouble is, it can put a damper on your healthy eating plan or weight loss program very quickly. The good news is that it’s a lot easier to eat out healthfully these days than it has ever been. Here are 10 tips to help you stay on the right track to better health and a slimmer you.
1. Plan ahead of time. Try and choose a restaurant that has more healthy food options. Avoid the buffet. They often have some healthy food options, although loading up your plate and overeating can be an issue.
2. Take charge and choose wisely.. Ask your server.. How is this dish prepared? Is there butter in it? cream? sauce? how big is that? What else is in this salad? dressing? Fried Bread Crumbs? High Fat Cheese? Bacon? Ask that food be prepared without added salt, MSG or salt-rich ingredients. close the menu. Many cooks will prepare poached or steamed fish or vegetables instead of fried. Stay away from deep fry.
3. Skip or limit bread, chips, or whatever’s in the basket while you’re waiting for your meal, at least skip the butter. If it’s too tempting, ask the server to remove it from the table. out of sight out of mind.
4. Request salad dressings and sauces on the side. They often contain more calories than flavored food. The salad dressing of choice would be a light or even better vinaigrette, again served on the side. Limit condiments like mustard, ketchup, pickles and sauces with ingredients loaded with salt and sugar.
5. Avoid dishes with cream, mayonnaise, sour cream, butter, and go easy on the cheese.
6. Exchange french fries for a side salad.
7. Trim visible fat from meat and poultry. Even very lean meats and poultry contain fat. Peel the skin off the chicken.
8. Ask for your dishes to be prepared with olive oil instead of butter or fat.
9. Remember you don’t have to clean your plate. Keep portions small. Put half the meal in a takeout container before you start eating. Do not gulp your food down. Digestion begins in the mouth. Chew well.
10. Wait a while before ordering your dessert to allow your main meal to settle. If you really must order dessert, choose fresh fruit or fruit sorbet instead of sugar-laden desserts. If you really can’t resist, consider splitting it up and sharing it with a friend.
Copyright 2009, Brendan McCarthy. All rights reserved.
Source by Brendan McCarthy
