We all go out to eat on occasion–but it doesn’t have to be the calorie (or gluten!) bomb that you might have chosen in the past! Follow these simple suggestions and most importantly enjoy the company you are with, rather than focusing on the food you are (or are not!) eating.
1. Mind Your Portions
Portions have grown tremendously over the years, and it is most noticeable in restaurants. Many steaks often contain a pound of meat (yes that is 16 ounces!), overflowing pasta bowls often hold three or more cups, and some sandwiches contain over 1,000 calories. However, you do not need to eat an entire dish yourself. These can contain several days worth of fat, bad fat. You can practice portion control by splitting an entrée in half and share with your dining partner, wrapping up leftovers, or ordering appetizer portions.
2. Order A Salad Or Vegetable Soup To Start
Instead of eating the entire bread basket, which we often do when we sit down in the restaurant and wait for our main dish to arrive, order a healthy appetizer. A salad with mixed vegetables (order dressing on the side) or a vegetable-based soup is a great way to start a meal. The veggies are fairly low in calories and will fill you up as they fiber, and fiber is filling (not to mention healthy).
3. Order Dishes Grilled, Broiled Or Baked
How a meal is prepared is so important to determining the healthfulness — and calorie count — of the meal. Try to stick with baked chicken or grilled fish, for example. Steer clear of fried dishes such as deep-fried anything.
4. Choose Red Sauce Over Cream Sauce
We all love eating at our favorite Italian restaurant, and we may want to enjoy an occasional bowl of pasta (gluten free please!). Besides minding our portions, it is also important to choose the right sauce. Marinara or tomato sauce is relatively low in fat and calories compared to a cream sauce.
5. Order Primavera
Adding vegetables to your pasta dish (or any other dish you can) is a great way to make your portion look larger, boost vitamins, minerals, and fiber content, and help you to feel more satisfied without providing unneeded calories.
6. Order “On The Side”
When ordering a salad or fish dish that may appear to be healthy, if the dish contains tons of dressing and sauce, you may be getting hundreds of added calories without even realizing. To avoid this, ask for dressings and sauces on the side. I do not think it is practical to eat everything bland and steamed with no sauce at all. However, if you order your favorite sauce or dressing on the side, you get to control how much you add on and you get a taste of the flavor you like.
7. Skip The Soda And Sugary Drinks
Sodas and other sugary beverages add unnecessary calories to your meal and cause liver inflammation. Opt for water or flavored seltzers instead.
8. Think “One“
If you want to indulge in an occasional glass of wine, think one. One drink on occasion is OK for most of us, but as I tell my clients, it is important not to drink several drinks daily. Not only does a lot of alcohol provide unneeded calories (as well as potential health risks), it tends to lower your inhibitions and you may end up overeating without realizing it.
9. Share Dessert
It is OK to enjoy an occasional piece of pie for dessert, but I suggest sharing it with your dinner companions. One great idea is to order your favorite “treat” dessert while also ordering a fresh fruit platter. This way you can split both. The fruit adds volume so that you don’t feel deprived ordering just a few bites of pastry or pie.
10. Skip The “White” (Unless It Is Cauliflower)
It is best to skip the white-bread products, which are refined and devoid of fiber and other important nutrients. Order brown rice instead of white rice, whole-wheat pasta or soba noodles instead of white pasta, and limit the white bread and crackers on the table.
For more personalized nutrition advice, contact me for a consultation today.
