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.
