HEALTHY EATING OUT Tips

Ways to eat restaurant food without blowing your diet:

If you are going to eat out, think about what you are eating the rest of the day so you can plan well and not blow your “calorie budget.”

Have it your way. Restaurants are in the business of serving customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for items specially prepared the way you want them.

Plan on a light lunch if you’re eating out at dinner time.

Try not to skip meals, which may make you overindulge later. Try not to show up at the restaurant famished.

If you’d like to splurge on a higher-calorie entr e, plan to skip dessert and commit to sticking to your plan once in the restaurant.

Order regular portion sizes instead of the jumbo sizes.

Try an appetizer, half an entr e, or share a meal with a friend and order an extra side salad.

Ask for half the entr e to be wrapped up to go before the food is brought to the table.

Get exactly what you want by ordering each item separately (a la carte).

Learn to spot which dishes are made with lower-calorie cooking methods.

Ask how dishes are prepared and if they can do it your way.

Don’t tempt yourself. Have the waiter remove the bowl of chips or peanuts, or the basket of bread, after you’ve had a small portion. Don’t sit near the dessert cart.

Limit alcohol. It’s high-calorie, has few nutrients and can weaken your will power.

Source: American Cancer Society