Eating at restaurants can be one of the biggest challenges when it comes to your weight loss goals, although there is no need to hide under a rock. It is good to go out and socialize, which usually involves meeting up with pals at a restaurant. Have something healthy to eat before you go out, so that you are more focused on the company than the food. The bread basket will not phase you. You can pick something clean and simple for you your meal, forget about the sauces they are loaded with sugar, flour and cornstarch. Instead use, salt, pepper, garlic, onions, oregano and other seasonings to make the food taste great. Here are five rules for maintaining your health and limiting your calories when you eat out:
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Choose wisely. If you have any say in where you will be dining for the evening, it’s best to aim for a Steakhouse, seafood, Japanese or an American restaurant instead of a Chinese restaurant. A steakhouse is likely to offer you a nice slab of protein with a side of veggies, if a baked potato is one of the sides offered, opt for a double side of veggies instead. This will fill you up and prevent that carb crash later. Most of the dishes at a Chinese restaurant are fried in carb-heavy batter and the soy sauce on the table likely contains MSG. If you are in the mood for Mexican…just remember to forego the cheese, the guacamole, the chips and the rice that these restaurants tend to pile on the many tasty dishes. Guacamole is a great fat we recommend on the fat load days but if you want to lose weight it will slow you down.
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Be prepared. Preparation goes hand in hand with reaching your weight loss goals. With technology making it easy to have everything at our fingertips, you have no excuse to not look at the restaurant menu beforehand and decide on your dish.
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Skip dessert. Just because you are dining out doesn’t mean you have to ditch your goals. When the server tries to push a sugary dessert on you…it’s okay to say no. It’s probably a good idea to avoid the dessert menu completely, so you don’t tempt your taste buds. Fresh berries with no topping are a good option but usually tough to find in most restaurants.
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Slow down. Instead of shoveling the food into your mouth at a fast and furious pace, try to focus your time on engaging in the conversation at the dinner table. It takes our tummies a little time to catch up with our brains, so you may not feel full until a bit after you consume your meal. Eat slowly and savor every bite.
Food is often the centerpiece for socializing which can certainly challenge your weight loss journey, follow these five tips, you will be able to keep your goals in check and continue to gather with pals.
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