Tips for eating out

Regardless of how determined you may be to achieve your goal of lasting weight loss and eating healthy, there are going to be times when that determination is challenged. Eating out, at lunch or supper, it can be a problem to find menu choices that you wish to include in your healthy diet. Here are a few tips for eating out.

Personally I feel that as long as you’re not eating out too often (not more than once a week) it’s okay to indulge yourself a bit, without going totally overboard.

You have to live and enjoy food. That’s the point of turning this diet into a marathon, rather than a sprint.

So, if you go to the Greek restaurant and they have the souvlaki with the fabulous lemon dill potatoes and the rice and the tzatziki, and you really love that but never get to have it, go for it. I would. However, I would stop short of the baklava. For you the dessert may be the most important part, so you skip the spuds.

Balance it out a bit while enjoying the parts you really crave. The next day you’ll be back on your plan and will have the lovely memory of that great restaurant with the wonderful food.

Part of this way of thinking about food is to enjoy it without letting it take over your life. Food should be enjoyed as one of the greatest pleasures in life but when we overindulge on a regular basis not only can it ruin our health, it takes away the specialness of such occasions. On the other hand, to constantly deny yourself will only create feelings of resentment and deprivation.

For instance, I will confess that I love beer, especially since the advent of fantastic imported and micro-brew varities. As I have said on other pages alcohol in particular is something that should be limited to special occasions for a variety of health-related reasons.

I know that in order to lose weight and keep it off means that I cannot indulge in it too often. Some people would find that sacrifice too great. What I have found is that I truly enjoy those occasions when I have been invited out to meet friends and a beer or two is involved, I truly savor each and every sip. It’s an attitude I suggest you nurture while planning and following your healthy diet.

Quick tips:

-Don’t order three courses. Choose a nice appetizer and a main, or skip the appetizer and have dessert. You know your own preference.

-Try some things you haven’t had before. Novelty is it’s own reward.

-Order two appetizers, one as a starter, one as a main. I often do this especially if one of the appetizers is a sampler plate: more variety!

-Order a salad and ask for extra ingredients (like a skewer of shrimp or chicken) to turn it into a meal. Splurge by having a nice creamy dressing that you wouldn’t normally indulge in.

-Just because they give you free bread doesn’t mean you have to eat it, and certainly not all of it.

-Ask for sauces and dressings on the side. You can enjoy the taste and control the calories.

-Remember the basic principles of healthy eating and include food from all groups.

-If you like wine, allow yourself a glass but sip it slowly and supplement with lots of water.

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