Health Tips - On Eating Out
Maybe you don’t cook. Maybe you can’t cook. Maybe you simply don’t have enough time to cook. Whatever your reason, chances are you’ll have to eat out at a restaurant at some points in your life. While you are indeed likely to take in a ton of calories while eating out, there are some things you can do to still maintain a healthy meal while at the restaurant.
Avoid the “special” sauce. At a restaurant, always remember the “special” sauce usually comes with an already carolie loaded meal of little nutritional value. Also, for the sake of your arteries, try - no, no - don’t try - AVOID fried or battered foods.
Take a few moments to scour the menu for healthier options. As simple as this sounds, many people go for the first thing that tickles their taste buds without taking a second look. Remember, healthy food never tastes DELICIOUS. Here are three key words on restaurant menus that indicate something of better health:
Grilled, steamed and broiled. Here’ something that I always do when at a restaurant: Ask for the mixed veggies in lieu of the fries or chicken tenders. Make the extra effort - your insides will thank you!
Get water with lemon. Instead of getting a soda or some other high calorie drink (Soda is also not good for your heart), ask for water. I used to drink ALOT of soda. It wasn’t hard to stop, or at least minimize intake. As I do in all walks of life, while in the restaurant switch to water. If you really really need that flavor, ask for it with lemon.
Ask for a smaller portion. I know times are tough and we want to get all that we can get for our money - but sometimes less means more. Most restaurants will provide you with a half portion or a lunch portion if you ask. This can vastly help you reduce your total caloric intake.
Get an appetizer. Appetizers are often smaller than regular meals. Order an appetizer and then ask that it come with the meal. The same is true of a side. Perhaps order a small appetizer and a side salad or soup, instead of getting an entree.
Stop eating. We’ve been conditioned clean our plates. THAT’S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE OBESE!! You DO NOT have eat until you are so full that you can’t move! No need for it! Stop!! Instead of licking the plate clean and bloating your stomach, have it boxed to take with you. Get a snack for tomorrow. Just be careful to make sure that it is properly refrigeratedconcealed and preserved.
So no long worry about eating out! Hopefully this has helped you - it’s helped me!
August 12th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Dr. Singh thanks very much for this informative article. It’s funny, these tips, though very simple, are extremely valuable.
How often do I bother to explore the whole menu? When do I actually look for alternative sides? How often did I NOT blindly answer “YES, PLEASE” when the waiter asks “Would you like a coke with that?”. HARDLY, if EVER.
One thing I really liked about healthy eating when it comes to eating out that I like that you stated…and that’s simply STOP EATING. You’re right. We loooovee to eat until we can’t fit any more in our bellies. Why? It doesn’t make any sense. Cheers for this.
I’ll let you know how I progress.