Top Ten Tips - Saving Calories While Eating Out
By Tip Diva | May 02, 2008
Categories: Diet, Drinking, Drinks, Eating, Food, Restaurants, Tips, Websites
According to education and public group The Keystone Center, Americans now consume one-third of their daily caloric intake outside the home. How can you watch all of those calories while eating out? Here are a few suggestions:
- Immediately Cut Your Portion In Half - Restaurant portions are so large that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended the restaurants shrink them. So, when you get your meal, cut your portion in half or to a normal-sized portion, and doggy bag the rest for later.
- Share With A Friend - Sharing a meal with a friend is an easy way to cut calories from your meal. You may accrue a plate-sharing charge, but a healthier you may be worth that $2.
- Order One Course - Instead of ordering an appetizer, entre and dessert, just stick to one. You’ll likely feel full from the entre alone.
- Focus On Grilled, Broiled Or Baked Instead Of Fried - If you see a dish you like, but the meat is fried, ask the waiter if you can get the meat grilled, broiled or baked instead. The same goes for other fried foods, such as French fries, which can be swapped for a healthier baked potato (with very little butter, of course).
- Remove Skin And Breading - If you get food with skin or breading, just scrape off the unhealthy layer.
- Swap Unhealthy Sides For Vegetables Or Salads - Instead of fries or macaroni and cheese, ask for vegetables or a salad. Restaurants are usually very accommodating in swapping for healthier alternatives. If it costs more or they don’t allow, don’t eat all of the side or just ask that they not put it on the plate at all.
- Ask For Dressings On The Side - Instead of receiving a salad drenched in blue cheese, ask for the dressing on the side so you can control how much is put on your salad. Dip your fork in the dressing, then spear the lettuce, which still gives you flavor minus more calories. Opt for healthier dressings, like vinegar and olive oil.
- Eat Slower - Some people tend to feel rushed in restaurants, and therefore shovel down their food. But if you eat slowly and savor your food, you may find yourself fuller faster - and eating less.
- Pass On The Bread Basket - Ask the waiter not to bring a bread basket if it’s going to tempt you. If you do want a piece of bread, ask that only one roll be brought on a plate.
- Pay Attention To Your Drinks - Restaurant drinks, like their food portions, tend to be oversized. One Pepsi may not seem bad, but what if the waiter refills your glass three times? You may not realize how much you’re drinking. The healthier option is to stick to calorie-free drinks like water or unsweetened iced-tea.
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