Tips for Eating Out and Staying Healthy
If you’re trying to eat healthily now and in the new year, you can still enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurants. You may have to make a few adjustments to your food choices, however, those choices can be just as delicious and fulfilling. With a few simple tips, you can feel confident that eating out and staying healthy is an easy feat.
1. Choose a Restaurant with Lots of Healthy Choices
The first, and most important, step is selecting the restaurant. You want to go somewhere that offers a variety of healthy options, not just salads. If they only have a limited selection of healthy items, you might not find something that appears appetizing. As a result, you could end up ordering something unhealthy.
If you’re not sure what the restaurant offers, look up their menu online before you go. It even helps to pick out what you’re going to get ahead of time. That way, it will be easier to resist temptation at the table.
2. Make Adjustments to the Meal
It’s okay to request adjustments to your meal. Most restaurants are very willing to accommodate your dietary needs. For example, you can order a Caesar salad without croutons and cheese to make it more diet-friendly. Similarly, ask if you can swap out an unhealthy side for a healthy alternative, such as fries for veggies.
3. Fill Up on Healthy Stuff
Always start off each meal with the healthiest things on your plate. Maybe that’s a salad or a side of steamed vegetables. Whatever it is, eat that first. You can even ask for extra veggies. The more you fill up on healthy stuff, the less room you’ll have for unhealthy stuff.
4. Don’t Drink Your Calories
Many popular drinks, including soda, alcohol, milk, juice, lemonade and sweet tea, contain excess calories. When you’re eating out and staying healthy, try to avoid these drinks. Instead, order water with your meal, or perhaps an unsweetened iced tea for more flavor. Of course, water has zero calories and has a lot of great health benefits.
5. Eat Slowly
It takes time for your body to digest food and register that it’s full. Because of that, eating slowly can help prevent you from overeating. If you’re at a restaurant with friends and family, keep the conversation flowing. Talking and staying engaged in the discussion can also help you eat slower.
6. Skip the Dessert
You just enjoyed a healthy meal. Don’t squander your hard work by ordering a high-calorie, high-carb dessert. If you’re trying to battle a major sweet tooth, select a restaurant that doesn’t offer dessert at all. Or, choose one that has limited options or healthier options. On the other hand, if you just want a little taste, consider sharing a dessert with the table. But, if you can, avoid looking at the dessert menu altogether. If you’re still hungry after the meal, you can always order more of the healthy stuff.
Remember, eating out and staying healthy is possible. As long as you plan ahead and make the right meal choices, you can stay committed to your diet. For healthy lunch or dinner, come to Spizzico Italian Restaurant in Arnold, MD. We use fresh, high-quality ingredients in every recipe on the menu.