Tips for Eating Out Healthy

There’s no question the most difficult time to eat well and eat clean is when you’re eating meals at a restaurant. However, people seem to believe that they aren’t in control of how the food is prepared and what their choices can be.

That’s simply not the case.

Eating healthy out on the town is not impossible, or even difficult.  If you know the foods that are good choices for you and your fitness goals, almost any restaurant will be able to accommodate you if you are clear on how you need the food prepared. This is becoming the norm as more and more people are embracing a healthy lifestyle and are aware of how to eat properly.  Eating healthy restaurant meals lies within your own control.

So when you go out with friends or are just having a meal on your own, keep in mind the following tips to make sure you stick to your nutritional plan:

• Skip appetizers – Your caloric intake will increase greatly and most are fatty

• Skip buffets – Who hasn’t gone to a buffet and overeaten? It’s impossible

• Look for the ‘healthy choices’ – Many menus now use symbols to flag those entrees that are prepared in a healthy way. Look for those symbols

• Tell them how to prepare it – When you order a meal, tell the wait staff how to prepare it, such as broiled, baked or roasted. No fried or deep fried meals, no breading, etc.

• Have a salad – Having a light salad with a smart dressing will ease your hunger pains and lessen your temptation for unhealthy choices

• Skip soda – If you need soda, be sure it’s diet. But the better choice is water or milk

• No sauce please – You know better. No mayo, no ranch, no blue cheese, etc.

Don’t be a victim of poor choices just because you’re not eating at home. You’re paying for a meal and we all know the customer is always right. Take control of the food you’ll eat and then focus on a great meal with good friends.