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If you are on a diet then sometimes it feels if you have to stay at home and prepare all your meals yourself. If you get invited out to dinner, all of a sudden you are in a panic about what to do, should you break your diet for this one night or just order a small salad and feel miserable all night? Never fear, dining out while on a diet doesn’t mean you have to stick with munching carrots all night, in this article I am going to show you how you can eat out by choosing the healthiest food on the menu and still enjoy yourself.
Obviously if you are able to choose the restaurant yourself then you are already miles ahead because you can decide to go somewhere that is well known for creating healthy meals. But even if the location is not your choosing there is still sure to be some diet-friendly options that you can select from.
When you first arrive at the restaurant ask the waiter not to bring the bread basket to the table and see if they can bring a small raw vegetable and dip platter instead. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate guests. If your dining partner insists on bread then just stick to one slice only.
When looking at the menu stick with those you know are prepared healthily such as foods that are steamed, roasted, grilled or baked. Seafood is usually a safe bet as long as it’s not deep fried. If it comes with a creamy or cheesy sauce ask to switch to a tomato based sauce or to put the sauce on the side so you can monitor how much you eat. Fill up on the vegetables on the plate before you start on the higher fat foods like meat or pasta.
Most restaurants have ridiculously large serving sizes so make sure you only eat enough until you feel full and leave the rest. Let your body guide you as to when you have had enough. If you don’t like wasting food then ask to take the remainder home.
If you just can’t skip dessert then choose healthy options such as gelato, sorbet or fresh fruit. That way you’ll feel like you are treating yourself without the high calories.
Eating out can be fun even when you are on a diet. By ordering healthy options you can relax and enjoy yourself without any guilt.
Diet’s should not be about restricting your food intake or forcing yourself to stick to certain ‘rules’. It should be a program like Strip That Fat that is fast and healthy and more importantly fun
