Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Eating Healthy When Eating OutIf you go out to a restaurant to eat, you probablywatch your calories very closely. To assist youwith your calorie watching when dining out, thesetips will help you make the most of it.
- Always order salad dressings or sauces on the side, as this way you have control over how much you add to your meal. You may like less than you think, and if you want more, it's right there. You have the control.
- When you order grilled fish or vegetables, you should ask that the food be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared with very little or either or. But if you prefer the taste of it, pick butter of margarine and oils. You can also get used to loving seasonings like pepper, and mixtures you can bring along with you if you choose.
- Anytime you order pasta dishes, be on the look out for tomato based sauces instead of the cream based sauces. Yummy as they are, they can be very fattening. Ask your server if they have a fat-free or lower cholesterol version of the same sauce. Tomato based sauces are much lower in fat and calories, and tomato sauce can even be counted as a vegetable!
- You should always try to drink water. Diet soda's are horrible for you, less calories or not they are ridden with bad ingredients that make them even worse than the calories. Just avoid them all together. Tea's are great and even juices are far better instead of soda or beverages that contain alcohol.
- If you order dessert, share with a friend. Half of the dessert will equal half of the calories.
- When you choose a soup, remember that cream based soups are higher in fat and calories than other soups. A soup can be a great appetizer, as most are low in calories and you fill you up pretty fast. You can always order your dinner in smaller portions, and if you are still hungry afterwards, you can order more. Start out with less, you might find your stomach is smaller than you realized and still get to enjoy your favorite meals.
- When ordering a baked potato, ask for salsa instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or even bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and provides a healthy alternative with plenty of flavor and spice. Butter is actually just fine and fits in the healthy category contrary to the myth about butter. But stay clear of margarines and oils that are over processed. Healthy oils like cold-pressed olive oil or grapeseed oils are terrific, full of flavor and great for you.
- When you are full, stop eating. Listen to your body and what it tells you. Ask for a box to take home the remainder if you want, so that you don't feel pressured to eat it all right there in one sitting. This will keep you from over eating at the time and let you decide later if you want to finish it. Most meals are way over proportioned these days, so listen to your tummy and be done when your tummy is done.
- If you get full, take half of your meal home. The second portion of your meal can serve as a second meal later. This way, you get two meals for the price of one.
- If you're looking to eat less, order two appetizers or an appetizer and a salad as your meal.
- If you get a choice of side dishes, get a baked potato or steamed vegetables instead of french fries.
- Always look for food on the menu that's baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These types of cooking use less fat in the cooking process and are usually much lower in calories.
- Plain bread or rolls are low in both fat and calories. When you add the butter and oil, you increase the fat and calorie intake. Again, the butter is fine in moderation. It's the bread itself you don't want to overdo or you body will convert the extra carbs into fat.
- As key ingredients to your meal, choose dishes with fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables are great sources of dietary fiber as well as many vitamins and minerals.
- Choose foods made with whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.
- If you crave dessert, look for something with low fat, such as berries or fruit.
- Always remember not to deprive yourself of the foods you truly love. All types of foods can fit into a well balanced diet. So enjoy your food and love your body all at the same time!
