Ever wondered how you can possibly lose weight when the
average dinner out contains over 1,000 calories? Well, don’t fret! Keeping
yourself in shape when dining out is simply a matter of ordering the right
menu.
Below are 6 tips for having a healthy dinner out (while
still enjoying your meal like normal!):
1. Watch Your Drinks – By not ordering an alcoholic
beverage, you've saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping
iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water
with lemon. You'll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.
2. Have A Salad – One of the best menus to have is a salad. Not only will it fill you up so you'll consume fewer calories overall,
but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart-healthy.
Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further
reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream-based
dressings and go for the vinegar-based ones. You also have the option of using
vinegar and olive oil which is heart-healthy.
3. Don’t Order An Appetizer Unless Necessary – Do you
know that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course?
Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to
your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It's not a
healthy way to start your meal.
4. Choose the
Right Kind of Foods - Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not
only will you save calories and fat grams, you'll also avoid trans fats which
are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order
of vegetables with your entree. Very few people are getting the 7-9 servings of
fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the
starch, you'll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato-based
sauces rather than cream-based and you'll enjoy considerable calorie savings.
Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you
can control the amount you eat.
5. Don’t Overeat - Today, many restaurants are
serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put
aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with
you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you'll be less
tempted to overeat.
6. Say “No” To Sugary, Fatty Desserts - Instead, go
for low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb
cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health-conscious eater and still
allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn't
available, try a cup of coffee to help satiate your desire for something sweet.
The next time you go out for dinner, keep the above tips in
mind. You will be surprised how many calories you are able to slash out of your
meal just by ordering the right menus! Happy healthy eating!
Disclaimer:
This article is presented solely as an example and is not meant to replace personalized
medical or dietitian prescription. No content on this site should ever be used
as a substitute for direct medical or dietitian advice from your doctor or
other qualified clinicians.
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