It’s impossible to stay on a diet when dining out. These words have carelessly left the mouths of plenty of people before a meal and remained in the thoughts of many who are trying to maintain their figure. Let us dig deeper into how we can dine out without having to limit ourselves. It’s about making the right choices as well as having self control.
- **Potato photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons, Beebrulee
Stay away from starch.
Avoid dishes that contain too many carbohydrates. This includes pasta, rice and potato dishes. Opt for hearty soups (creamier isn’t healthier) or protein and veggie dishes. Steamed, boiled and baked veggies are your best choice for sides. Although salmon tends to be a bit pricey, it is a great entrée choice since it is full of omega-3 fatty acids.
Appetizers really are appetizing.
Don’t arrive to the restaurant famished. You won’t think as clearly when looking through the menu. Which means you’ll fill up on table bread while waiting for your buffalo wings and deep fried veggie platter. Share your appetizer with friends, avoid dipping sauces and of course fried items. Unless you are having an appetizer and salad as a meal, try to avoid appetizers in general. You might over order, which brings us to the next point. If you begin to feel full, set the plate aside until you can ask for a doggy bag.
Salads aren’t always healthiest.
Take a look at the dressing. Is it creamy, salty with a buttery taste? Sure it tastes great, but you might as well have gone for the double cheeseburger because their calorie counts can certainly add up. Ask for a light dressing on the side to control the amount you use. You can always say no thanks to the bacon bits and garlic croutons. Crispy usually means fried, so opt for grilled chicken breast with your salad.
Cocktails are pure sugar.
Okay maybe not entirely sugar, but they might as well be. Their sweet content is alarming and could effortlessly be replaced by a glass of red wine. Which is much lower in calories and full of antioxidants. Boys, a light beer couldn’t hurt. Not a drinker? Ask for a cup of unsweetened tea or sweetened with honey or agave nectar. You can purchase agave nectar in straws that make them portable and discreet.
Off the griddle and on the grill.
Having worked in professional kitchens, I can personally say griddles are heart attacks waiting to happen. Some restaurants grease theirs with ridiculous amounts of fake butter (to prevent burning). Don’t believe how much of this harmful oil goes into your food? Try being the one who cleaned the griddle grease traps twice a day. Trust me, it’s not pretty. With grills, you use direct heat. No need for ladles of fat to be poured over your food if it’s cooked this way. You can also opt for dishes that have been broiled, baked, poached or steamed.
The chef won’t spit if you’re just asking…
We’ve all heard the horror stories. Snot and spit in your soup, dropping steaks, dusting them off and resetting them on your plate. The vast majority of the time, you will have a professional in the kitchen. Simply asking for your dish to be prepared differently to accommodate your diet will not send the chef over the edge. Ask if they have any healthy specials, or what kind of oil is used to prepare your dish. You as the consumer have the right to know what goes into your body.
Dining out with friends shouldn’t be seen as a chore simply because you’ve changed your lifestyle. One small choice can mean the difference between extra time to enjoy in the sauna or spending extra time on the stair master. Swap the Boston cream pie for a bowl of fresh fruit or a scoop of sorbet. If you know your dish is high in calories, practice portion control. These small adjustments will eventually become second nature.
For a dining out guide catered specifically to a cuisine, check out Cooking Light’s Menu Navigator. http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/smart-choices/restaurant-navigator-00400000062083/