Ideas for Eating Out on a Diet

Want some ideas for eating out on a diet? Restaurants often take all of the flack for people failing on their diets, but contrary to popular belief it is possible to dine out and not sabotage your weight loss efforts. Follow the tips provided in the guide to eating out on a diet.

Plan Your Dining Out Ahead

Many restaurants have their full menus online. You should look up the menu ahead of time and pick out the healthiest options available to you. If the restaurant does not have their menu online you should pick one up in person. Make a collection of menus for your favorite restaurants to use the next time you plan a night out. This tip will help you avoid the fattening options that will blow your diet.

Order From the Appetizer or Kid’s Menu

No one said you have to partake of the huge portions offered off of the main menu. Kid’s choices and appetizers are great when you are looking for smaller portion sizes and healthier options. You will also save a lot of money by ordering off the main menu as well.

Avoid These Bad Words!

In the world of restaurants there are certain bad words that you can identify on the menu that tell you a dish is full of fat and calories. Words such as cream sauce, deep fried, breaded, melted cheese, smothered, and gravy are all buzz words to steer clear of. Try ordering something from the menu that has words like baked, fresh, grilled, and so on.

Make Special Requests

Years ago it was not possible to make special requests. Now it is common place for most restaurants to accommodate your special order. Ask for things to be prepared in healthier ways such as baked, broiled, and grilled. Also ask for light versions of dressings and condiments. Make sure they put them on the side too. Substitute the fries for healthy vegetables or fruit as well. The nice thing is that most restaurants will not charge extra for special requests.

Skip the Drinks and Sodas

A perfectly healthy meal can be ruined by a high calorie drink. It’s easy to consume an extra 300-500 calories in drinks alone. Many restaurants offer free refills. Having two drinks can easily add nearly 1,000 calories to your meal. Sugary sodas and alcoholic drinks are the biggest culprits when it comes to empty calories. Skip out on the drinks and go for some good old fashioned water.

Save Some for Later

Portion control is key when dining out. One good tactic is to eat half of your meal and have the server wrap up the rest. You cut the calories in half and are able to stretch one meal into two.

Share with Your Sweetheart

If your significant other is willing to share a meal then do so. Ask for two plates and all of a sudden you have two meals. Again, you’ll be able to control your portions and save a lot of money. This is a great way for couples to be able to dine out together and stick to their weight loss goals.

Avoid the Buffets

Buffets are a death trap to dieters trying to lose weight. The pure variety makes it very hard to resist the temptation. Having just one piece of twenty different foods doesn’t mean you were good either. The calories add up deceptively fast.