10 Eat Out And Stay In Shape Strategies
1. Know before you go.
Make a habit out of researching the menu online. If you pick your dish before hand it’s much more likely you’ll stick to a healthy choice when you get there.
2. Simplicity is key.
Restaurants can hide an astonishing amount of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats in their cooking. Choose simplicity with a cut of meat or a fillet of fish.
If you can name all ingredients on your plate you won’t encounter any nasty surprises.
3. Sidestep food envy by ordering first.
If your friend orders the creamy pasta dish first, temptation may kick in – it’s easy to get swayed by people’s choices. Eliminate temptation by ordering first.
4. Ask, Ask, Ask
Ask the waiter how a dish is cooked and for healthier options. Restaurants can be extremely accommodating and would be happy to swap fries for steamed veg.
5. Get inventive with your dressings.
Dressings and sauces can sabotage a healthy dish, adding instant calories, sugar, salt and fat.
Dress your food with a wedge of lemon or olive oil.
6. Satisfy your hunger with a protein starter.
Protein keeps us fuller for longer and is vital for weight loss. By opting for a protein rich starter, you are less likely to overeat at your main meal.
Choose meat, fish, eggs, beans, pulses, tofu, tempeh, nuts or seeds.
7. Drink wisely.
Drinks don’t always have to be diet killers. Opt for vodka or gin with sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon. This low sugar, low calorie option is much less likely to sabotage your waistline.
8. Eat your greens.
Always eat more of the greens. Ordering extra vegetables will leave much less room on your plate for the unhealthy stuff.
9. Keep hunger at bay.
Eating a small snack before the restaurant means the breadbasket will have less appeal.
10. Choose one indulgence.
If you decide to indulge a little, whether it’s a glass of wine, a dessert or the breadbasket. This will cause much less damage than slipping up on every vice.