By Kirsi Paalanen
Eating healthy can be challenging for any lifestyle. As is usually the case, unhealthy food is thought to be cheaper, more readily available, and generally easier to come upon than healthy food. And when you're on a diet, it can seem practically impossible to stay on track and enjoy time with friends and family at the same time. Eating out seems practically impossible, and you feel like you're missing out on all the fun because your diet doesn't allow room for quarter pounders and fries. But here's the thing, eating out doesn't have to be impossible on a diet! You can still do your Friday night dinner out with the girls, or actually go out for date night on Saturday. Keep these tips in mind when dining out to help you stay on track with your diet without having to give up the treat of a nice meal out!
• A cobb salad is always a healthy, light choice. Cobb salads are available almost everywhere and are great for both lunch and dinner. You'll get a great serving of greens, vitamin C and antioxidants from the tomatoes, healthy fats from the avocado, protein and choline from the eggs, and some great protein from the meat. Cobb salad is a light, nutritious meal that you can definitely enjoy at most restaurants without any guilt!
• Ask for your protein seared. Searing is typically done dry, that is without the assistance of oils or butter, so you don't need to worry about added fat accompanying your meat that you don't even know is there!
• Go raw. Order anything (veggies, oysters, tuna) served raw. This is always a great rule of thumb for ordering out at a restaurant. You don't need to worry about excessive processing, fatty cooking oils, or any of the other unpleasant side effects of cooking food. That is not to say you should be eating a raw steak, but looking for dishes meant to be served raw (pieces of sushi, salads, etc.) is usually a very safe bet when eating out.
• Be wary of lemon. If the menu describes a dish as having a lemon glaze or sauce, ask what is in it. Often, such dishes are loaded with excess sugar that you definitely do not want or need in a healthy diet.
• Ask for your food grilled. When ordering your meal, ask the waiter about the whole preparation. It's good to avoid food covered in a sauce or soaked in marinade. Try asking for your sauce or dressing on the side, so you can control your own portion.
• Portion control is incredibly important. Restaurants typically serve you almost twice the recommended portion of food, so be sure to eat slowly and stop eating when you're full. There's nothing wrong with wrapping up the rest of your meal for later. Who doesn't love leftovers?
Going out for a meal does not have to be an impossible feat on a diet. In fact, trying to incorporate aspects of your normal life into your new healthy lifestyle will help your healthy habits seem more normal to you, and it's important to treat yourself once and a while. You deserve a nice meal out after a long week at work. These tips will help guide you through the menu of your favorite restaurant without breaking your diet.
• A cobb salad is always a healthy, light choice. Cobb salads are available almost everywhere and are great for both lunch and dinner. You'll get a great serving of greens, vitamin C and antioxidants from the tomatoes, healthy fats from the avocado, protein and choline from the eggs, and some great protein from the meat. Cobb salad is a light, nutritious meal that you can definitely enjoy at most restaurants without any guilt!
• Ask for your protein seared. Searing is typically done dry, that is without the assistance of oils or butter, so you don't need to worry about added fat accompanying your meat that you don't even know is there!
• Go raw. Order anything (veggies, oysters, tuna) served raw. This is always a great rule of thumb for ordering out at a restaurant. You don't need to worry about excessive processing, fatty cooking oils, or any of the other unpleasant side effects of cooking food. That is not to say you should be eating a raw steak, but looking for dishes meant to be served raw (pieces of sushi, salads, etc.) is usually a very safe bet when eating out.
• Be wary of lemon. If the menu describes a dish as having a lemon glaze or sauce, ask what is in it. Often, such dishes are loaded with excess sugar that you definitely do not want or need in a healthy diet.
• Ask for your food grilled. When ordering your meal, ask the waiter about the whole preparation. It's good to avoid food covered in a sauce or soaked in marinade. Try asking for your sauce or dressing on the side, so you can control your own portion.
• Portion control is incredibly important. Restaurants typically serve you almost twice the recommended portion of food, so be sure to eat slowly and stop eating when you're full. There's nothing wrong with wrapping up the rest of your meal for later. Who doesn't love leftovers?
Going out for a meal does not have to be an impossible feat on a diet. In fact, trying to incorporate aspects of your normal life into your new healthy lifestyle will help your healthy habits seem more normal to you, and it's important to treat yourself once and a while. You deserve a nice meal out after a long week at work. These tips will help guide you through the menu of your favorite restaurant without breaking your diet.
For more great tips on being healthier, happier and eating better download my free report "4 Simple Steps to Free Yourself from Emotional Eating and Lose Weight" at http://www.HerHealthOnly.com.
Attention Editors and Publishers: Her Health Only content may be republished with a link to herhealthonly.com. Such republication must include attribution with a link to the Her Health Only homepage as follows: Her Health Only, http://www.herhealthonly.com.
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