Tips for eating out on a diet
Eating out on a diet
doesn't have to be a cause for panic. Yes, we all know about huge
oversized restaurant portions or the vast offerings of fattening menu
choices. That doesn't mean that eating out will ruin your diet
efforts! Just use these 10 simple tips for eating out on a diet:
1.Try
to review restaurants. Many restaurants have their menu online so you
can print it out for reference. If you often eat at certain restaurants
that aren't online, call and ask for them to send you a menu in the
post or pick one up next time you are passing. Highlight the healthiest
options for each menu and keep them all in the same safe place. Then,
when you are planning your next meal out, study and decide your dishes
at home before you go to the restaurant and be tempted with the sight
of other choices.
2.Order
your main dish from the appetizer menu. Not only are appetizers smaller
portioned, they will be cheaper too!. (This is a really good way to
save on your calories and cash so you can share a dessert with
someone!) If you don't think a starter will fill you up then order a
side salad,too.... the fibre-rich vegetables will bulk out your meal.
Soup is really filling, so it's a good appetizer extra too (just
steer
clear of cream-based ones).
3.Beware
of certain ingredients when looking at menus: Cream sauce, butter, oil,
au gratin, breaded, Alfredo, battered or batter-dipped, "with gravy",
or smothered. Unless you've had no treats for several days and snacked
on salads all day, these little "treats" aren't worth the extra
calories.
4.Modify
the menu. Ask the waiter if you can have your meal plain. Most
restaurants will be happy to accommodate as they want you to be happy
with your meal and return. Don't hesitate to ask for anthing on the
menu to be prepared in amore diet-friendly and for the sauces or the
dressings to be served separately on the side. It'svery unlikely that
they refuse.
5.However
tempting that bucket of fried chicken looked on the commercial before
you left home make sure you order poultry steamed, poached, roasted,
broiled, boiled, grilled or baked. Ask for your chicken skinless
whenever possible or remove it yourself. If you do treat yourself to
fried chicken, choose the breast as it has fewer calories that the rest
of the chicken. Obviously chicken, chicken and more chicken can get
very boring so if you're asking, "where's the beef?" allow yourself red
meat a few times a week -- just make sure you choose leaner cuts of
meat like loin or flank.
6.Keep
check on that tubini. Endless pasta at your favourite Italian
restaurant is a waist-widening trap for those of us who tend to
overeat. How do you when to stay stop if they keep bringing more? As
tempting as the great "value" for your money that infinitely-refilling
pasta bowl seems, it's certainly not a bargain for your waistline or
your calorie budget. Order a portion-controlled main dish instead.
Refrain on the endless breadsticks, too!
7.Take
control of your takeaway. You don't have to steer clear of takeaways
when you're dieting -- there are many healthy options at ethnic
restaurants. Portion control is key, though: Take out half or your
takeaway before dishing up your dinner, put the food in microwave
containers and put them in the fridge before you even start eating.
(Instant will power and instant next-day lunch!)
8.Avoid
buffets. Portion control can be near on impossible for even the most
determined dieter at an all-you-eat buffet. (Who can practice
moderation when there are new, clean plates just waiting to be filled?)
The sheer variety of foods available at buffets is also daunting --
studies have shown that when we're given more choices, we tend to eat
more without realizing it. Just avoid buffet restaurants and you won't
have to face this temptation.
9.Mini
meals are a must. It's a good idea to eat mini meals during the day
when you're planning to eat out. Just don't eat too sparingly, though
-- you don't want to be so hungry by the evening that you over eat. If
mini meals don't tide you over then eat a healthy snack in the
afternoon to curb your appetite and you will be in more control come
dinner time.