| Eating out can not only be costly, it can also cost | | | | By avoiding these calorie black holes, you will be |
| a lot in the way of calories. An average dinner in | | | | ensuring that you will not be consuming |
| a restaurant can chock up a hefty 1,000 calories | | | | detrimental saturated fats and trans fats. Plus, |
| or more. If there is no specific diet menu in the | | | | you will be eliminating lots of calories from your |
| restaurant in which you are dining, how can you | | | | overall meal. An appetizer is not a good way to |
| possibly stick to a diet let alone still lose weight? | | | | start off a healthy meal - unless it is a vegetable |
| There is a way that you can eat out and continue | | | | crudite with a low calorie or vinegar based |
| to lose weight when you are dieting. You just | | | | dressing. |
| have to know how to navigate a menu. | | | | Tip 4: Order wisely |
| Any restaurant menu can be a diet menu if you | | | | When perusing the menu, immediately eliminate |
| know how to weed through it. Simply put, you | | | | fried foods as an option. Opt instead for entrees |
| have to order the right foods for success and | | | | that are either broiled, grilled or steamed. Eliminate |
| avoid the ones that will bring you down. If a diet | | | | any sides of mashed potato or rice. Instead, ask |
| menu is not available in the restaurant you | | | | your server to double the vegetable portion of |
| frequent, try these tips to help you order a dinner | | | | your meal. By eliminating the simple carbohydrates |
| that is both healthy and low calorie. | | | | in your meal, you will be helping yourself to ensure |
| Tip 1: Avoid alcoholic beverages | | | | healthier weight loss. |
| If this is the only tip you follow, you will be | | | | Tip 5: Avoid cream-based sauces |
| avoiding considerable calories that you can put to | | | | Don't order foods that are drowning in creamy |
| better use in your meal. Try sipping on a | | | | sauces. Opt instead for tomato based sauces. |
| beverage such as an unsweetened iced tea or a | | | | Always order any sauces on the side so that you |
| seltzer with fresh lemon. You will be glad you | | | | can control how much you put on your meal. Too |
| made this shift when you consider the massive | | | | often meals are served drenched in fatty, |
| number of calories you will save by ordering a low | | | | creamy sauces that do nothing but expand your |
| cal beverage right at the start of your meal. | | | | waistline. |
| Tip 2: Start your meal with a fresh vegetable | | | | Tip 6: Know when you are full |
| salad | | | | Serving sizes are often very large in restaurants. |
| By ordering a colorful salad full of fresh greens | | | | If you are served a portion that you know is too |
| and a variety of other vegetables, you will not | | | | much, split it in half and ask your server to wrap |
| only be working toward filling your daily | | | | the leftover. You can take it home with you and |
| recommended 5-a-day quota of vegetables, but | | | | get a second meal out of it. If you do this prior |
| you will be helping to fill up on the healthy part of | | | | to eating, you won't be tempted to consume too |
| your meal leaving less room for high-calorie, | | | | much food. |
| unhealthy portions. Ask your server to eliminate | | | | Tip 7: Just say no! |
| any cheese or croutons that might come with the | | | | It is alright to have dessert, if you chose the right |
| salad and opt for the dressing on the side. | | | | one. Many establishments have dessert offerings |
| Preferably chose a low fat dressing option or ask | | | | geared to dieters. They may include a reduced |
| for oil and vinegar that you can use to dress the | | | | fat or low carb option. If there aren't any of |
| salad yourself. (Oil and vinegar with a squeeze of | | | | these options available, many restaurants will |
| fresh lemon makes for a wonderful, refreshing | | | | offer a fruit salad or seasonal fruit option. If there |
| and heart healthy option.) When you do order a | | | | is still no option, just say no to dessert and opt |
| dressing, it is best to avoid creamy dressings and | | | | instead for a cup of coffee served with skim milk. |
| opt for vinegar-based ones that are lower in fat | | | | The coffee will help to quell your taste for |
| and calories. | | | | sweets. |
| Tip 3: Stay away from the appetizers | | | | By following these important tips, you can enjoy |
| It is a fact that many of the appetizers available | | | | a meal out and not jeopardize your weight loss |
| in restaurants pack in more calories and fat than | | | | goals. By knowing how to navigate the choices in |
| any meal on the menu. Often they come with | | | | a restaurant, any menu can become a diet menu. |
| sauces for dipping that are both fatty and filled | | | | Whenever you are making food choices, it is |
| with calories. Lots of them are fried in harmful oils. | | | | always healthiest to practice conscious eating. |