Eating Out
Eating out is a big dieting challenge. It may sound hard to be able to control what you eat when dining out but it’s not! Always remember that you are the customer and you are in charge! You should be able to eat wat you want. Eating healthy while dining out is all about one word:
preparation. Avoid “all-you-can-eat” places. Choose a restaurant with a varied menu. Any restaurant with a mascot is probably bad news for your diet. Order water right away and start sipping. Most times when we feel hungry we are actually de- hydrated.
Try to order first. Listening to everyone else’s choices can be tempting. Ask about the size of the dish. This could be im- portant information when watching calories. Watch out for cheese, gravies and special sauces. Ask for your food not to be prepared with butter, cream sauces or oil. Order as many vegetable options as possible. Steamed, stewed or boiled veggies are best, with little or no added butter or oil.
Try to never dine out without at least one veg- etable on your plate!
Eat your lowest calorie items first. Vegetables are always a good place to start. Potato options are good too. Stick with baked, boiled or roasted potatoes instead of fried pota- toes. Concentrate on the conversation, not your food. If you’re talking, it takes longer to eat and helps you feel full before stuffing yourself. Don’t pick at your food after you’ve decided that you’re done. Eat the amount you would eat at home.
Chew some gum or have a mint after you’re done. You can never go wrong with fruit as a dessert, as long as it’s not covered in syrup or whipped cream. Sorbet or frozen yogurt are great alternatives to ice cream, but watch the sugar content.
