Let's face it, we're busy -- and often we don't have time to prepare meals at home. Don't let eating out stress you out. You can stay on your healthy plan by carefully reading menus, pre-planning your intake and using portion control. Here are some tips for eating out in restaurants:
- Think about where you will be eating. Pick a place with a varied menu. Select a fast-food restaurant with healthy choices. (Many have those these days!)
- If you are planning to have a large meal, bank calories. Cut back 100 calories each day several days before in preparation for having a big meal out.
- If a portion is too large, request a doggy bag. Learn to leave food on your plate instead of joining the "clean your plate" club.
- Order a la carte to have more control over what you eat.
- Ask the server to remove bread, chips, or nuts to avoid filling up before the meal is served.
- Start with a salad to curb your appetite.
- Beware of hidden calories in dressing, sauces and gravies. Ask for these items on the side. Use the "fork dip" method and dip your fork into the dressings and gravies rather than pouring them on your food.
- Leave the table while you are still ahead of the calorie game. Instead of a rich dessert, order a hot beverage or light dessert such as sherbet, frozen yogurt, angel cake, fresh fruit... or share a dessert with others.
- Tighten your belt or wear tighter-fitting pants to help make yourself aware when you have become full.
Most importantly, enjoy your meal! It is important to be able to fit "real life" into your healthy eating habits.
- Think about where you will be eating. Pick a place with a varied menu. Select a fast-food restaurant with healthy choices. (Many have those these days!)
- If you are planning to have a large meal, bank calories. Cut back 100 calories each day several days before in preparation for having a big meal out.
- If a portion is too large, request a doggy bag. Learn to leave food on your plate instead of joining the "clean your plate" club.
- Order a la carte to have more control over what you eat.
- Ask the server to remove bread, chips, or nuts to avoid filling up before the meal is served.
- Start with a salad to curb your appetite.
- Beware of hidden calories in dressing, sauces and gravies. Ask for these items on the side. Use the "fork dip" method and dip your fork into the dressings and gravies rather than pouring them on your food.
- Leave the table while you are still ahead of the calorie game. Instead of a rich dessert, order a hot beverage or light dessert such as sherbet, frozen yogurt, angel cake, fresh fruit... or share a dessert with others.
- Tighten your belt or wear tighter-fitting pants to help make yourself aware when you have become full.
Most importantly, enjoy your meal! It is important to be able to fit "real life" into your healthy eating habits.
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