Tips for Eating Out

In today's fast-paced world, rarely does anybody has the time to stop and cook dinner. Heck, even coffee has take-out. As such, restaurants are having a field day with the number of customers flocking them during mealtimes. If you are a regular customer at any fast food or restaurant, you now how the usual lunch or dinner menus go: fried chicken, giant steaks, buttered mashed potatoes, hunks of bread, and creamy pastas. Sounds delicious but if you are on a weight loss program, this means one thing: disaster.

But instead of preparing a packed lunch half-asleep or just eating a grapefruit during your dinner date, why not strive to eat healthy when eating out? With a few tips on making healthier choices, you can eat out, have a complete meal, and enjoy it too.

1. Ask about what they're serving in advance
Call your chosen restaurant and ask about what they're offering today. This way, you can decide what to order without the pressure of a waiter standing beside you and without the confusion of the different smells and sights in the place. Studies show that people tend to pick less healthier choices when they come unprepared for what's in store for them.

2. Tote some healthy stuff
Although most restaurants today have healthy offerings in their menus, it pays to be sure. Bring yourself a packet of olive oil-based salad dressing, sugar substitute, or teabag when eating out. This way, you won't be tempted to order a mayo-based dressing, sugared coffee, or iced tea which has useless calories.

3. Dare deviate from social eating rules
Do not order a steak-and-potatoes meal for your main dish just because it seems right to do so. Who says that you need to order an entree for your main course? Instead, order a salad and a sandwich or light appetizers for a healthy but filling meal. The small servings of several appetizers on your plate as well as your colorful salad on the side will trick your senses into thinking that you have plenty of food while maintaining the calories down.

4. Opt for dishes prepared simply
Instead of going for highly seasoned dishes which are battered, fried, sautéed, or cooked in fat, choose dishes which are mildly flavored and prepared by broiling, grilling, boiling or steaming. Less preparation means less added fat and unnecessary calories.

5. Make conscious choices
This does not mean starving yourself by ordering half a grapefruit and brewed coffee then spearing steak chunks out of you date's plate when you can no longer resist. Instead be conscious of the choices you're making. For example, if you ordered steamed fish with a light lemon sauce and a salad, allow yourself to order a small dish of vanilla ice cream. Likewise, if you ordered steak with buttered vegetables , just get cut fruit for dessert. Strike a balance by taking responsibility over your choices.

Lastly, no matter what you order, savor each bite and let the tastes and textures permeate your senses. Do not just eat your food but experience it. When you savor your food, you prolong each moment and up your satisfaction meter, thus, telling your brain to stop eating because you're full and satisfied already.