While eating out is not always the healthiest, it is the most convenient. Sometimes I’m just too lazy to plan dinner, go to the grocery store, and cook. These days, I follow a few simple health tips for eating out.
Nothing too crazy or complicated. No counting calories involved. Mostly I try to be aware of the things I order and how much I eat. So let’s get into it.
TOP 5 HEALTHY TIPS FOR EATING OUT
EAT ONLY HALF
Most restaurants serve way too big portions for one person. Ask for half portions, share the meal, or eat only half and take the rest to go.
ASK FOR DRESSING ON THE SIDE
Okay, this is probably something you have heard of before. But if you haven’t dressings usually contain too many calories, fat, and sodium. Instead, use oil and vinegar or ask for dressing on the side. Then lightly dip bites of your salad in the dressing. The point is to just get a little taste, not to soak your bites in dressing.
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE MENU AHEAD OF TIME
If I’m going to a new restaurant, I like to check their menu ahead of time, get an idea of what they offer. It gives me more time to plan & make better decisions later.
MAKE SUBSTITUTIONS
You can always ask for a simple green salad + grilled salmon, omelet with fresh veggies. Every restaurant should be able to prepare that even if it’s not on the menu. Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go.
3-BITE RULE FOR DESSERTS
Have you heard of the 3-bite rule? You can enjoy your sweets in 3 bites. One bite to say “hello”, one bite to enjoy, and one bite to say “goodbye”. With each bite slowly chew your food, so you can really taste and enjoy the flavor. Then put the fork down!
While I try to cook mostly at home, there are times when I like the convenience of eating out. These healthy tips for eating out help me choose what to order.
At the end of the day, it’s all about balance for me. So if I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been eating lately and end up going to a restaurant, I might eat my whole dessert, or skip the dessert but have a couple of glasses of wine. Be aware of what you eat but also do what works for you.
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