Ideas About Going Outside For Dinner
December 30, 2008 by rainier
We are eating out more than ever. When dining out, it is easy to eat more calories and fat as well as food that is less healthy. So try these ideas for healthy dining-out.
Dining Ideas:
1. No matter where you’re eating, practice eating small portions. Take half the entrée home or split the meal with your friend. Order an appetizer as a main course instead.
2. Skip parts of the meal you like less. Have an “I can eat that food any old time” approach.
3. Go to places where you can order healthy, lowfat meals.
4. Ask to substitute high fat items like french fries for a baked potato or side salad instead. Request items be made without butter or oil.
5. Eat a little less at noon to save for a special dinner later, but don’t skip meals. This can lead to eating too much.
6. Eat something 30 minutes before your meal to help be in better control of your choices. Eat a piece of fruit or have a glass of water with lemon.
7. Avoid buffets, and all-you-can-eat specials.
Menu Choices:
• Breaded, batter-dipped, and tempura all mean fried food, which is heavy in fat. Look instead for lower fat, grilled, broiled and flame-cooked. Other good choices include entrees that are steamed, poached, roasted, or baked in their own juices.
• Avoid croissants, biscuits, potpies, quiches, and pastries. Pick hard rolls, bread sticks (if not brushed with butter), french bread, or whole-wheat buns.
• For sauces, stick to wine, or thinned, stock-based sauces. Avoid thick butter sauces, béarnaise, Mornay or sauces that sounds creamy. If you’re unsure, ask the waitstaff.
• Choose salads made with rich dark greens like spinach and romaine rather than pale iceberg lettuce.
• Order a baked potato instead of french fries or have a side salad, steamed vegetables or a cup of broth-based soup.
• Skip the mayonnaise and special sauces and ask for extra lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mustard on sandwiches.
• If ordering pizza, ask for extra vegetable toppings and forget the meats and extra cheese.
• We often forget to count alcohol calories as part of our eating. It is very high in calories and can prevent us from making healthy food choices.
