Eating out is a way of life for many people, but it can be a challenge for people who are trying to eat healthy. However, it can be done. It just requires some planning and careful choices.
Making Good Choices
A big challenge to eating out is finding and making good food choices. Often, a restaurant, dinner party, or event will not have exactly what you want. Be creative, stay committed, and do not worry if the situation is less than perfect. You will learn from every situation and be more prepared in the future.
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Three Keys to Healthy Eating Out
1. Plan aheadHaving a plan will help you prepare for difficult situations and handle them more easily. If you plan ahead, you are less likely to run into roadblocks. How many times are you in a rush, stuck in an airport, or driving in the car, and are starving with no good choices? Planning ahead will not leave you in the lurch.
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2. Take charge of what's around youTake steps to surround yourself with things that will support your goal of eating healthy, such as choosing a restaurant with low-fat options and going with people who support your lifestyle. If you can, remove the things that get in the way or tempt you.
3. Choose foods carefullyThere are usually more food choices when you eat away from home. Take care when choosing foods and stay focused on your goals.
1. Call restaurants or go to their websites to find out about lowfat, low-calorie choices on the menu. I ALWAYS do this.
2. Select a restaurant that offers low-fat, low-calorie choices.
3. Eat less fat and fewer calories than usual during other meals during the day when you plan to eat out in the evening.
4. Eat a small, healthy snack or drink a large, low-calorie or calorie-free beverage before you go out. Lemon water, seltzer, un-sweetened iced tea. Have a handful of nuts.
5. Plan what to order before you get to the restaurant, and order without looking at the menu.
6. Do not drink alcohol before eating. If you are going to indulge, include protein beforehand.
7. For parties or dinner parties, bring a healthy, low-fat, and low calorie dish to share with others.
The most important thing to remember is to be prepared and have a positive action plan.
