If you’re an American, chances are you’re on a diet. This can be difficult to maintain when you go out to eat. It’s hard to look at the menu and know what to choose that won’t sabotage your diet. With a few guidelines you can go out to eat knowing that you can have a healthy, low calorie meal that takes great and won’t take the fun out of dining at a restaurant.
Probably the best thing you can do is to ignore any pictures on the menu. These photos have been taken to show the food at its best and stimulate the appetite. Let’s face it the food almost never looks as good as it does in the photo. Instead, try to study the food items listed.
Next thing, don’t be fooled by the names of the entrees on the menu. Like the photos, they are created to trigger cravings and positive associations.
Entrees that are listed as “rich” or “decadent” sound a lot better than foods with plain titles. Don’t fixate on the entree’s name, instead, read the description and make your decision based up on what’s in it and how it’s prepared.
Some restaurants pull a fast one on diners. They place unhealthy menu items near healthy ones. Studies have shown that people are more likely to order unhealthy food when it appears near healthy selections. By acknowledging this practice, you can be prepared and avoid ordering fattening foods.
Restaurants don’t stop there, they also are known to place a lot of vegetables on the menu, making it appear like it contains many healthy options. Even vegetables can be a bad choice if they are battered, fried or covered in high-calorie sauces.
So, don’t just assume that a vegetable dish is a healthy one. Read how it’s prepared and ask questions if you are unsure. To be healthy, it should be steamed or sauteed. If it’s fried or coated in something fattening, order something else.
Another tip is to avoid sampling from other dishes when you’re eating out. You don’t know how many calories you may be having and all of those little bites can really add up. Stick with what’s on your plate.
Follow these tips and you can have a good time at the restaurant knowing you’re eating right and not getting too many calories.
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