We all do it. We go to a restaurant and "try" to stick to healthy eating habits or worse, we consider it to be our "splurge" day. Be careful! Restaurant foods are not only high in calories but also high in sodium. Here are a few tips to avoid the restaurant traps!
Don’t sidetrack from your usual eating habits: You know what you eat to maintain your healthy eating habits. Don’t let your eyes convince you to have that sandwich or a pasta dish. Make sure you stay with foods that you know and that you would normally eat.
Be aware of foods that sound healthier than they are. Sandwiches can be healthy (with whole grains and lean meats) but keep in mind that adding cheese and mayonnaise can make that healthy meal go bad fast with those added calories. Healthy-sounding salads can be a trap too. Any salad with crunchy fried toppings or heavy dressing can kill your calorie count for 2 days in one sitting! Ask for your dressing on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and then dress your salad. I find that by doing this, I use less than half of the serving they give you. If your salad is drenched in dressing and all you taste is dressing, you are defeating the purpose of a healthy meal.
Daily specials are not that special. Often flavored in heavy sauces and high calorie toppings, daily specials are there to tempt you. Ask the waiter if you are able to make substitutions and/or omissions from the special. Some places allow you to change the daily special and other places do not. If they do not allow you to take the heavier whipping cream gravy off the steak, then have meal option 2 from the regular menu ready so that will be healthier for your diet needs.
Supersizing nightmare. You do not need more than what comes with your normal meal. These up charges are not only bad for your wallet but bad for your belly. That extra plate of fries for $2.50 more could potentially be an extra 600 calories to you waist line, thighs, arms...where ever it is that you gain weight. I am horrible at this because I am all about the "value". For me, I will order and then pass the food on to my husband but even if I took 2 fries from that extra/side plate I ordered for $2.50 more, that ends up being 60-100 calories and 10 extra fat grams that I really did not need. Be careful!
Read calories on menus carefully. A recent study showed that the calories you eat might be nearly 20% higher than what the menu says. The calorie counts usually list the items individually, not as a meal. While you’re noting the calories for the main course, don’t forget to add in the calories for the sides.
Restaurant portions can be huge. I am a huge advocate of splitting a meal. When I am out with the girls, having brunch or dinner, splitting the meal with another is not only good on calories but also good on budget!
Don’t sidetrack from your usual eating habits: You know what you eat to maintain your healthy eating habits. Don’t let your eyes convince you to have that sandwich or a pasta dish. Make sure you stay with foods that you know and that you would normally eat.
Be aware of foods that sound healthier than they are. Sandwiches can be healthy (with whole grains and lean meats) but keep in mind that adding cheese and mayonnaise can make that healthy meal go bad fast with those added calories. Healthy-sounding salads can be a trap too. Any salad with crunchy fried toppings or heavy dressing can kill your calorie count for 2 days in one sitting! Ask for your dressing on the side. Dip your fork in the dressing and then dress your salad. I find that by doing this, I use less than half of the serving they give you. If your salad is drenched in dressing and all you taste is dressing, you are defeating the purpose of a healthy meal.
Daily specials are not that special. Often flavored in heavy sauces and high calorie toppings, daily specials are there to tempt you. Ask the waiter if you are able to make substitutions and/or omissions from the special. Some places allow you to change the daily special and other places do not. If they do not allow you to take the heavier whipping cream gravy off the steak, then have meal option 2 from the regular menu ready so that will be healthier for your diet needs.
Supersizing nightmare. You do not need more than what comes with your normal meal. These up charges are not only bad for your wallet but bad for your belly. That extra plate of fries for $2.50 more could potentially be an extra 600 calories to you waist line, thighs, arms...where ever it is that you gain weight. I am horrible at this because I am all about the "value". For me, I will order and then pass the food on to my husband but even if I took 2 fries from that extra/side plate I ordered for $2.50 more, that ends up being 60-100 calories and 10 extra fat grams that I really did not need. Be careful!
Read calories on menus carefully. A recent study showed that the calories you eat might be nearly 20% higher than what the menu says. The calorie counts usually list the items individually, not as a meal. While you’re noting the calories for the main course, don’t forget to add in the calories for the sides.
Restaurant portions can be huge. I am a huge advocate of splitting a meal. When I am out with the girls, having brunch or dinner, splitting the meal with another is not only good on calories but also good on budget!
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