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You may think eating at restaurants will kill your efforts to maintain a healthy diet. In many cases, you would be right.
However, you can still enjoy eating at restaurants occasionally and still maintain your healthy diet. It’s all about making good food choices and a bit of planning.
1.) Plan Ahead
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Today, many restaurants conveniently post helpful nutrition facts such as calories and fat on their website.
Before you leave for your restaurant of choice scope out what’s on their menu so you won’t unknowingly eat three days worth of calories and fat in one sitting.
2.) Skip the Drink section
Although you may be tempted to celebrate or enjoy a beer or mixed drink with your dinner, these are usually loaded with empty calories, which is not suitable for your body.
Drink water instead of empty calories to keep the unwanted pounds at bay. The exception to this rule is when it comes to a small glass of red wine as it can help prevent heart disease for some individuals.
3.) Don’t Start with the Starters
Skip over the appetizers, unless it’s a side salad. Appetizers served at restaurants are almost always high-fat foods that will sabotage any effort of a healthy diet.
Examples of these sabotagers are mozzarella sticks, potato skins, and wings. Instead, focus on your main course or, if you must indulge, share a single serving of your favorite appetizer with the entire table of people.
Also Read: 25 Simple Ways to Lose Weight and Keep it Off
4.) Your Main Dish
When choosing your main dish, it is essential that you pay close attention to the ingredients of the meal. Anything with cream sauces or high-fat meats should be avoided.
Also, pass up entrees with high carbs and entrees that are fried such as potatoes or onion rings. Instead, enjoy side dishes like vegetables.
5.) Portion Distortion
Remember that portion is everything. Order off of the lunch menu whenever you can because it has a smaller portion size, and ask for a doggie bag right away.
Split your meal in half from the start so that you are not tempted to eat the entire thing, which is usually enough for two or three different meals.
6.)You Are Sweet Enough
At the end of your meal, skip over the dessert menu, just like you did with the appetizers. Again, you can share a single dessert with the entire table if you feel compelled to order something, or split your portion in half.
Many restaurants desserts have more calories than your full meal, so keep this in mind before you wave down the waitress to place an order!
Of course, on special occasions, it’s alright to cheat a little, but overall healthy eating requires lots of resisting temptation.
Final Thoughts
Eating healthy does not mean you are banned from eating out at your favorite restaurant, but it does consist of making smarter food choices. Follow these tips, and you will be a pro at eating healthy while eating out.
-Shameka
Results may vary. Information and statements made are for general purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Her Own Health does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Her Own Health are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
