Photo by: Tony Hisgett.
Eating at a restaurant is like eating blind. We can easily eat an entire day’s calories in one sitting without even realizing it. The portions are huge, the yummy bread is white, and the vegetables are dripping with butter and cream. Eating at a restaurant can be a minefield for anyone trying to stay healthy.
This post will discuss a 3 step plan for eating healthy at a restaurant.
Step 1: Prepare to eat less before even leaving the house.
-spoil your appetite.
Before leaving, eat a healthy mini-meal. As mentioned in a previous post, drinking a broth based soup, a small side salad with non-creamy dressing, or a piece of fruit helps reduce the amount of calories eaten during a meal.
-know where you are going
Try to get a copy of the menu and pick a healthy option before going to the restaurant. I find this trick to be especially helpful when I go out with friends. Once there, I do not open the menu to “browse” the food selection. While they are deciding on what to eat, I am talking instead.
Step 2: Placing your order
-beware of portion sizes
You do not need an appetizer and an entrée. Plan on leaving food on your plate or taking food home. I generally like ordering an appetizer as my main course.
-always ask for dressings and sauces on the side.
A lot of time, we only need a drizzle to get the flavor.
Step 3: Enjoying the meal
-stay alert
It is easy to get caught up in engaging conversations with your friends and eat everything off your place without even thinking or tasting it.
-split dessert
If you must order dessert, or get it as a birthday treat from the restaurant, split it with your friends. Usually a few bites is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. Let someone else finish the rest.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
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Loved your post! It’s been really helpful 
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I’ve not been to a restaurant for quite some time so generally when I do go it is a treat and I let myself indulge a little. However, I like your first idea – eat a mini meal before going to the restaurant. Would definitely help curb the appetite and prevent binge eating.
Tom Parker – Free Fitness Tipss last blog post……The Free Fitness Tips Newsletter – October 2008