Healthy Tips For Dining Out
Jan
31Posted in [12 Days to a Better 2012] By LifeWayKefir LifeWayKefir
1/31/2012 12:18 PM
It’s relatively easy to make smart food choices in the comfort of your own home – if you don’t have junk food in your cupboards you can’t exactly park it on the couch with your hand in a bag of cheesy puffs, can you? But what about when you’re dining out? Whether it’s a business lunch, a hot date or just dinner with the kids, dining out can be absolute sabotage to a healthy eating plan. With a few tips you can visit your favorite restaurants without derailing the healthy habits you’ve worked so hard to form, we promise!
Portion Control – If nothing else, beware the curse of the gigantic portion! Restaurant portions tend to be 2-3 times larger than what you’d eat at home, so fight your urge to clean your plate! This doesn’t mean starving or wasting food, though – try these tips:
- Skip the big entrée and order an appetizer and side salad
- Start with a salad or cup of soup and split an entrée with your dining companion
- Ask for a to-go box as soon as your entrée arrives, pack half of it away for tomorrow’s lunch
- Start small and slow – order a small dish and let it settle, only order more food if you’re still hungry
- Try the kid’s menu – smaller portions, smaller prices
Avoid Extra Fat and Sodium – Restaurant foods tend to be high in both. You can avoid a salt and fat overkill without too much hassle with these rules of thumb:
- Foods that are pickled, smoked or served in broth tend to be salty
- Take it easy on the cocktail sauce, teryaki and soy sauce
- No fried foods. Seriously.
- Just say no to extra cheese on anything
- Opt for a vinaigrette on your salad, and ask them to hold the cheese and croutons
Eat, Eat, Eat! – Now that you have an idea what to say no to, here are a few things you should say yes to. After all, dining out is a treat – it should be fun!
- Vegetables! Whenever it’s an option, opt for a side of steamed veggies over French fries.
- Words to look for: grilled, broiled, roasted, steamed
- Huevos rancheros! This Mexican take on breakfast is high in fiber and protein making it a smart option any time of day.
- Thin crust pizza with extra sauce and half the cheese – try to stop at two slices, though
- Opt for salsa or mustard on your burger over mayo
- Let your food settle before you order dessert – if you want something sweet, try sorbet or fresh fruit. Maybe you could ask your favorite restaurant to offer frozen kefir?
How is the 12 day challenge treating you? Stay tuned for some smart snacking tips tomorrow!
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