Eating in restaurants can be very unhealthy if you allow it to be. The entrees are typically two or three times the size of a regular portion, and dishes are loaded with extra fat and sugar, spiking the calorie count. It’s part of what makes them so good….
You can make eating out healthier just by making different choices. That way, you can still enjoy eating out but don’t have to feel guilty about all the extra fat, calories and sugar that are in most restaurant fare. Here are a few easy ways that you can eat healthier when eating out:
Cut Portion Sizes
Part of what makes many restaurant meals so unhealthy is how large they are. Most portions are two to three sizes bigger than a typical portion. You can cut your potion sizes by either ordering an appetizer or a couple of side items as a meal or by splitting a meal with your fellow diner. You can also cut your meal in half when it arrives and pack up the remainder to take home with you. By simply practicing portion control, you can enjoy many of your favorite dishes without going overboard on unhealthy levels of fat, calories and sugar.
Choose Fresh Veggies
Fresh veggies are always a healthy choice, even if the portion sizes are larger. Not only are veggies loaded with the nutrients you need, but they also have plenty of heart-healthy fiber that will make you feel full faster and prevent you from overeating. Salads, stir fries, vegetable sides and pastas or rice that have plenty of veggies in them are all great choices.
Choose Steamed or Boiled Dishes
By simply choosing dishes that are steamed, boiled or grilled instead of fried, sautéed, or cooked in heavy sauces, you will cut out a great deal of calories, fat and sugar in your entree. Choose grilled or boiled meats and grilled, boiled or steamed veggies. Make sure to ask about added butter, oil or salt when you order.
Skip the Fried Foods
Fried chicken, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks are all delicious — but they also have a lot of unhealthy fats, which make them exceptionally poor choices if you are trying to eat healthy. Fried foods have high levels of fat, and they have trans fats, which are the fats that contribute to heart disease and an expanding waist line. Just say no to fried foods when you are eating out and you’ll ensure that you eat healthier overall.
Skip the Extras
Focus on ordering a healthy meal when you eat out and don’t order all the extras. A cocktail before dinner and a big dessert after dinner can both double or triple your calorie count for the meal, not to mention add significant amounts of fat and sugar to it. Skip alcoholic beverages, appetizers and desserts if you want to keep your meal light.
Eating out can be very unhealthy if you don’t make careful choices. These simple tips will help you to eat a healthy meal each and every time you go out — helping you to get good foods and to enjoy eating out without worrying about what it will do to your healthy eating plan.