If you are health conscious when it comes to your food, or if you have just started a diet to get your ideal beach body, you might feel stumped at what you can possibly order at an eatery without piling on the fats and calories. Here are some handy tips to stay ahead of the game and enjoy your food while not feeling guilty.
Know your meal before you get to the eatery
Many of the well-known restaurants will have an online menu available for people to browse through. In addition to the pricing, there might be instances where a nutritional fact sheet is also provided. Browsing through the menu and picking out your safest bets is an effective way of indulging without going in for overkill.
Pick an appetizer with low calories
This is the first step to ordering healthy once you have reached the eatery. Even if you visit burger restaurants, you will see that the menu features low calorie options for appetizers like salads. Some usual suspects to watch out for are calamari and bread sticks which are high in fat and calories. Order salads, vegetables or some lean protein for a starter. Browse this website if you are looking for a famous burger restaurant.
Vegetables are your friends
Whenever you have the option to do so, stay with ordering some boiled or steamed vegetables as your side dish. Even if you pick a healthy main, but order a mac and cheese bowl for a side you have lost the battle against calories. Even if there are only fried or sautéed vegetables on the menu, many eateries will comply if you ask for boiled or steamed options instead.
Ask for your salad dressing separately
Even though salads can become your go-to food when you order from an eatery, make sure that the salad does not have salt, cheese or dressings added on to it. If the salad comes with any of these items, ask for them to be served on the side and not mixed in. this way, you can avoid taking in an excessive amount of fat, salt and calories. Also avoid croutons wherever possible.
Only order red sauce options
Red sauce is a healthier cousin of the creamy sauces that are usually the favourites. You can even substitute the sauce in your pasta dish with a red sauce that is healthier and will also help boost your metabolism.
Go for water or an unsweetened drink
Completely avoid drinks like coffees, frappes, shakes, some juices and any carbonated drinks. Instead order an unsweetened ice tea or all natural fruit juice. If none of these are available just order a bottle of chilled water.
Order a lean meat for your mains
Chicken (without the skin), fish or any seafood and turkey and all great options for a lean protein that will help you feel full without making you stock up on calories. Any of these proteins which are steamed, broiled or grilled are great to try out but make sure they are not fried. The oil will add fat to the protein and make it unhealthy. The next time you are dining outside, go prepared and come back feeling full and accomplished.