Eat Out and Lose Weight -- 25 Easy & Healthy Tips for Dining Out
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and now want healthy choices whether eating at home or at their favorite restaurants. Luckily, the restaurant industry has been quick to accommodate the demand, so you'll find you have many options to "eat healthy" these days.
Whether you're eating at home or dining out, the same rules for watching your weight apply. You need to eat more vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Choose smaller portions of lean meats, fish and poultry. Eat a variety of foods, and fresh, raw foods are better. Cut back on salt, sugar, saturated fats and alcohol. Drink plenty of water, and include exercise every day as part of your daily lifestyle choice.
So whether you're having lunch with the gang, or enjoying a romantic dinner for two, you can enjoy delicious-tasting foods that are low-in calories and good for you, with just a little forethought and planning.
Here are some easy tips to remember when ordering out that will help you to lose weight even when eating at your favorite restaurants:
1. If you know the menu from the restaurant you're going to, plan what you're going to have ahead of time. This will help save you from making a last minute decision that could result in high-calorie choices.
2. Drink at least one full-glass of water or iced tea before eating your meal. This helps your digestive process, and, because you'll feel full sooner, you will eat less.
3. Don't be afraid to ask for the "senior citizen" special or kid's-sized portions. Most restaurants will accommodate you -- and often you'll pay less as well!
4. Order first. That way you're much less likely to be influenced by the choices of your companions.
5. If you're not sure how something is prepared, don't be afraid to ask. And if the dish is cooked in oil or butter, you can always ask if they have a "fat free" option.
6. If everything on the menu is high in fat or calories, ask if the chef could prepare a plate of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many restaurants offer a vegetarian selection, so if you don't see it on the menu, ask.
7. When ordering meat or fish, ask that it be grilled or broiled, and prepared without oil or butter. (When you eat it, use lemon or herbs and spices to give it flavor rather than heavy sauces).
8. Order an appetizer and a salad as your meal. Or a soup and salad. For dessert, choose fresh fruit.
9. When choosing soup, remember that cream-based soups have many more calories than broth-based ones.
10. If you're having a full meal, split the appetizer and desert with your companion.
11. If you decide to order pasta, tomato sauce has fewer calories than cream-based sauces, just like soup.
12. Choose breadsticks over bread, or if you eat bread, don't add butter. Stay away from muffins and croissants, and choose whole grain over white.
13. Choose steamed vegetables instead of baked potatoes or other starches. Again, use lemon and herbs and spices rather than butter to flavor them with.
14. Whenever possible, eat like the Europeans do, and have your biggest meal at lunchtime. Not only will you save money, but you'll cut down on calories at the same time!
15. Take the time to enjoy your meal. Savor the flavors and textures of your food, and enjoy the company you're with. When you eat slowly, you give your body's internal clock the time it needs to know when you've had enough. When you're full, stop eating. Ask your server to remove your plate so you're not tempted to keep eating while you wait for your companion to finish.
16. Ask for salsa on your baked potatoes, rather than sour cream and butter. Not only is salsa much lower in calories, but it adds a "spicy" flavor to potatoes.
17. Order salad dressings and sauces "on the side." This gives you more control of how much to use. Another tip for salad dressing -- rather than pouring the salad dressing on your salad, dip your fork into the dressing first, and then into the salad. You'll get the same amount of flavor, without all the added calories!
18. Choose brown rice over white rice (or french fries), whole grain breads and rolls over white. Not only are they lower in calories, but they are better for you.
19. Stay away from "all you can eat" buffets and salad bars. It's too easy to lose track of the amount of food you're eating, even when it's salads. If that's your only choice, then stay away from the pasta, marinated salads, cheeses and fruit salads with whipped cream. Stick to soups, raw vegetables and fresh fruits.
20. Have your soup first. It will help to fill you up, and most soups have fewer calories.
21. If you're craving something sweet, and don't want fresh fruit, choose sorbet. If you absolutely HAVE to have the chocolate sauce, use the same trick as you did with the salad dressing -- dip your fork into it first, then your dessert.
22. Split your dessert with your companion. You'll still feel like you got to be indulgent, and you'll only have to exercise half as long to burn off the extra calories!
23. When ordering sandwiches, order them with mustard only, rather than mayonnaise. Not only does mustard have almost no calories, but you won't miss the mayo!
24. If the portion you were served is large, only eat half of it. Take the other half home. Not only will you get two meals for the price of one, but you'll cut the calories in half as well!
25. Go for a walk after eating. Stroll along the beach, walk through a park, visit a zoo. You'll burn calories and get your exercise at the same time!
Online Weight Loss Tips - http://onlineweightlosstips.com - your source for diet and exercise tips.
Related Articles:
New E-Book "CorrectMind for Weight Loss" Reveals How the Subconscious Mind Can Shed Excess Pounds without Diet or Exercise
In the e-book, readers will learn little-known facts regarding weight loss and the Law of Attraction. They will also learn how embracing negative thoughts can actually put them at an advantage for mental conditioning.
Walking: A Key to Weight Loss
Doctors prescribe Walking as the best medicine for weight loss.We walk everyday.
Pregnancy Following Weight Loss Surgery
Many people may be considering pregnancy following weight loss surgery. Before making major family planning decisions, it is important to know the associated health risks with this, as well as whether it is the appropriate step for you to take and when you can take it. There are several guidelines available to help you determine when and if you should consider pregnancy following weight loss surgery.
The Effects Of Exercise On Blood Pressure
It is important for everyone to include regular aerobic exercise in their routine. However many people mistakenly believe that long, strenuous workouts are the best form of exercise. However, in actuality, moderate exercises such as swimming or fast walking are two of the better forms of exercise. Prior to participating in any new form of exercise, especially if you have medical problems or if you have not exercised in a significant amount of time it is advisable to consult your doctor to ensure it is a medically-appropriate exercise regime. Your doctor may even want to suggest an alteration of some of your lifestyle habits like your diet or medications.
How To Lose Weight Through Weight Loss Pills
Weight loss pills are medications given by doctors and physicians to people who intend to reduce weight without opting for any general exercise related issues. A number of people these days are reportedly taking weight reducing pills for the desired effects. They have successfully reduced weight by taking the weight reducing pills. However, it is suggested that people consult doctors before taking the weight reducing pills. Heart patients experiencing cardiac problems, people suffering from high blood pressure and cholesterol issues are advised against taking the weight reducing pills since it is not advisable.
Bariatric Learning Center Educates Consumers on Weight Loss Surgery
An information website dedicated to the topic of bariatric weight-loss surgery offers an unbiased look at such procedures.
Best Way to Lose Weight-Lose it Instantly Using Proven Methods!
Despite what many people think, losing weight is not a tedious process wherein you have to starve yourself to death and spend your whole life in the gym, this is not the case In fact, losing weight should come from within
Diet For Idiots - Best Weight Loss Method Revealed!
I used to have a nice, trim body when I was in college but years of stressful work, family issues and marital problems have led me to food binging sessions like there is no tomorrow Some run to alcohol, some run to their friends and me
Can A Portable Exercise Bike Help You Work Your Way To Fitness?
A portable exercise bike serves the same purpose as its bigger counterpart, be it recumbent or upright. It was designed to tone the muscles of the legs, thighs and buttocks. However, sacrificing the size for portability might also mean that the device sacrifices some of its effectiveness.
The Psychology of Weight Loss: Part 5 – Perspectives Toward Food!
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of it that works, but the basic principle of any good eating program, no matter how sugarcoated, centers around calories IN— calories OUT.The eating "only one type of food diets" will not be effective, and such a restricted diet defeats you mentally.
How to Exercise and Lose Weight on a Busy Schedule
In my fitness consulting business, I get the opportunity
to talk with people from all walks of life about their health,
fitness, and weight loss goals. Whether their goal is to
lose weight, gain muscle, stick to a diet plan or program, improve their
cardiovascular health, or simply to maintain their current fitness
level they all have one common enemy---TIME.
Study of Atkins, Zone, Ornish and LEARN Diets Means Little to Morbidly-Obese Individuals Considering Weight-Loss Surgery
A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association discussed the results of a study designed to compare four weight-loss diets.
Tracking the Elusive Calorie - Weight Loss Tips
Why Making Small Changes in Your Eating Habits Adds up to Big Results in Your Weight Loss EffortsFirst, get started by tracking your eating for at least a week or more. I carry a little purse sized notebook and just jot down what I eat during the day.
Why Gout Relief Through Exercise is So Important
Gout relief doesn?t just come from medications and herbal remedies, but also through taking appropriate actions, such as exercises, to minimize gout symptoms and prevent the condition from flaring up again When a gout attack is brought under control, exercising is an important part of strengthening the joint as well as reducing weight or maintaining the right weight level
Diet Pill That Works - Tips In Finding The Right Diet Pills That Work For You
Although the best way to lose weight and stay fit is eating right and regular exercise, people still needs something that will keep them motivated. Diet pills give you that motivation. It is one of the products that give visible results in a shorter span of time. It can also boost the results of most fitness plan. Many diet pills today claim to be the best and the most effective diet pills available. With the many products to choose from, it is really difficult to find the right pill that will work for you. How then will you know if the pill is exactly for you? Here are some tips that can help you find the right diet pills that will give you your desired results.
