If you are on a healthy eating resolution, there is no need to worry while planning a day to eat out. All that you have to do is follow some simple tips and train yourself to choose healthy alternatives even when on the go. This will keep you away from feeling guilty and your resolution can go on as per your schedule.
Some tips on eating outside are:
- Drinks – Check out for drinks that are unsweetened and with less fat, like low fat milk or buttermilk. Unsweetened fresh fruit juices are the best. Avoid alcohol, other drinks and sodas;
- Salads – Munch on veggie salads as starters to begin with and it will also partially fill your stomach. Use low fat salad dressings and keep the quantity to minimum;
- Appetizers – It is a good idea to go for an appetizer as it also helps in filling.
- Fish – Prefer to eat fish. Select a preparation that involves cooked, baked, grilled or steamed fish with light spices and herbs. They are rich in healthy fats and can help you in maintaining good health.
- Veggies – Make sure your main dishes include lots of veggies cooked, baked or steamed and there is no use of butter, cream or cheese. They provide you with essential vitamins and minerals and also help in filling;
- Desserts – Choosing fresh fruits as desserts can be keep your low calorie, low fat menu going strong. Additionally you can get a good dose of antioxidants and can feel happy about it;
- Light dishes – While choosing a dish read the name and the description given. Words like creamy, butter, stuffed, fried mostly contain huge amounts of fat. It is better to talk to the waiter and ask about the preparation and the ingredients used in it. Avoid anything that is high in fat or sugars.
- Sharing – A large dish can be shared with your companion as it helps you to control your portion size. Make sure you are aware of your servings and the portion size. Avoid getting too busy with chatting, as this distracts and you may tend to eat more than required;
- Packing back– If you feel the quantity is more and you are full; ask for the food to be packed to take home.
- Snack box – When you are travelling for a long time or plan to go shopping before your dinner you can pack some healthy snacks like almonds, nuts, veggies and fruits slice so as to avoid munching on fatty or other unhealthy snacks on the way.