by: George Williams
Ever wonder 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!):
- 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.
- Have A Salad – One of the best menus to have is 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.
- 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.
- 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 Canadians 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 a
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.
- 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.
- Say "No" To Sugary, Fatty Desserts - Instead, go for a
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 with skim milk 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!
