Restaurant dining can be part of your healthy lifestyle or weight loss efforts with these tips.
What’s on the menu – Pay attention to the descriptions used to describe the meals. Avoid foods that are deep-fried, basted, batter dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, or au gratin which are often higher in fats and calories. Instead choose foods that are grilled, steamed or roasted.
Special Order – Restaurants will often substitute vegetables or sides for lower calorie options if you ask. Substitute chips for a salad or swap high carbohydrate vegetables such as pumpkin, potato and corn for more low carbohydrate vegetables such as beans, carrots and cauliflower.
On the Side – Request that all sauces, dressings and gravies be served on the side so you can control the amount you consume.
No Buffets – Avoid restaurants offering buffet style meals as these will only encourage you to over indulge.
Go Small – The main meals served by restaurants are usually twice the required size. Try ordering an entrée as your main meal. Read the whole menu before deciding what to order – a 3 course meal means you will have to be far more careful ensuring each course is small and low in kilojoules.
