There is nothing to argue about, dining out when you are trying to eat reduce calories and eat healthy is very stressful. This is especially true for those of you who love to eat out a lot. Going to your favorite restaurant can seem like torture. The important thing to remember is that there is no reason why you have to give up dining out altogether. Just keep in mind that you do not need to splurge on all of your favorite foods when you go out to eat.
The restaurant’s menu can often be a bit confusing. There will be foods in there that seem to be delicious and will tempt you to stray from your plan. You just have to be prepared and make smart choices.
That is why it’s a good idea to plan in advance. Look online to find the restaurant’s menu and if that doesn’t work, you can always call and ask about their healthiest choices. This way you will know exactly what you are going to order before you get there and you won’t be tempted as easily.
When you order from the restaurant’s menu, think about having a salad or soup first, before the main course. When choosing you must be careful to watch though what type of soup you will order because some are really high in calories and fat. Vegetable or tomato soup are one of the best to have.
When you order a salad ask for the dressing on the side so that you control how much you put. When you opt for the buffet, make sure to take a spoon of olive oil or freshly squeezed lemon.
Sauces are one hidden source of fat and calories Another good thing to remember is that creamy sauces are usually very high in fat and not good for you if you are trying to lose weight or reduce your calories.
Another thing to keep in mind is that in most restaurants the serving sizes are really big. It is a good idea to either share your portion with someone else or just eat half of it and take the rest with you at home, to eat as another meal the next day.
It is easy to have guilty pleasures with food when you are eating out. Many of the restaurants will have options for those that are dieting, but it can still be hard to pass up the tempting calorie loaded food. You can make your meal healthier if you swap things. One example is to order steamed vegetables instead of fries that most likely come with the meal.
Just remember that you do not have to wreck your healthy eating plan when you are dining out. Make smart choices and control the size of your portions. You will find that you can enjoy eating out, without feeling guilty or wrecking your healthy and reduced calorie plan!
If you need inspiration on how to make smart and healthy food choices you can get my Healthy Eating Guide for FREE to help you get started.
To your health
Cathy
