DINING OUT TIPS
ORDER A LOW CALORIE APPETIZER TO EAT BEFORE THE MAIN COURSE
Try ordering a low calorie appetizer, such as soup or salad, to eat while waiting for the main course. This will also help to reduce your hunger a bit before your food arrives so you can feel full on a smaller portion of food.
MAKE SPECIAL REQUESTS WHEN ORDERING
Don’t be shy about asking questions as to how a food is prepared, or what kind of options can be used as substitutions for higher calorie items. Most restaurants will be happy to swap vegetables for a high calorie side dish, such as french fries. This can cut your meal calories by as much as half. A change to a low fat cooking method could also cut calories at your meal. You can also request that foods which are normally fried, or covered in heavy sauces, be baked or grilled instead.
BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU DRINK
Alcohol adds a lot of unnecessary calories and can also affect your food choices. And it’s important to limit high calorie non-alcoholic drinks, such as soda and juice. Try to choose no-calorie beverages like water, seltzer or diet soda instead.
PRACTICE EATING SLOWLY
It usually takes at least 20 minutes to start feeling full when consuming a meal. If you practice eating slowly you will consume fewer calories during meal time. You will also enjoy your food more because you will be better able to savor the flavors and textures of your food. Try putting your fork down between bites, or taking a brief pause from eating altogether. This can help you decide if you are starting to get full, and whether or not you need to continue eating.
DON’T BE A PART OF THE CLEAN YOUR PLATE CLUB
Restaurant main portions are often too large. To ensure that you won’t eat the entire serving, try sectioning off 1/3 to 1/2 of your meal before eating. You can take home the extra food and use it for a leftover meal at another time. Another option is to split a main course with someone else. You will be consuming fewer calories while also getting the added benefit of splitting the cost of the meal.