Do's and Don'ts for Eating Out on a Diet

Going out to eat can seem impossible to do when you are on a diet. However, this can also cause you to miss dates and social outings. This is where dieters often run into trouble. It comes to a crossroad where it seems they have to choose between dieting and having a life. Luckily, there are a few do and don’ts that you can follow so you can enjoy your social life and still stick to your diet while eating out.

Do plan ahead. Decide where you are going ahead of time so you can make a firm decision before hand on what you will order. Many restaurants have their menus posted on their websites so you can look through and find what you will order. This makes it easier when it comes time to order. When you are looking through the menu when you get to the restaurant, it is easy to be tempted by all the yummy pictures of high calorie foods. By planning ahead, you don’t even have to pick up a menu. Discipline is key when it comes to dieting. However, pictures of yummy food can cause you to side step. Make sure your pre-decided meal includes veggies for sides and the meal itself is low in calories and fat, such as baked or grilled chicken.

Don’t order pop, tea, or coffee. Order water instead of these high calories drinks. Water is not only healthier, but it is cheaper. Compared to paying two to three dollars for a high calorie drink, you pay nothing for a calorie-free drink! Now that seems like a deal.

Don’t even look at the appetizers. Looking will often lead to ordering. Appetizers are high in fat and not a good idea when you want to cut calories, not add them. Appetizers often tend to be fried, making them high in cholesterol and sodium. Hence, avoid the appetizers!

Do order a salad before your meal. If you would like something to snack on before your meal, salads are perfect because they are healthy and low in calories. However, beware of the dressing. Dressings can be high in calories, so they should be ordered on the side. This way, you can use as little dressing as possible and keep your calorie intake low. Always ask if there is a fat-free salad dressing available. Salads can also help fill you up so you indulged less when your meal arrives.

Do ask for a to-go box with your meal. This is great for portioning your meal. Put the majority of your meal into the to-go box, leaving only a small portion to eat. While you may think you will still feel hungry, you may be surprised. The idea of “out of sight, out of mind” is a powerful thing. When you don’t see all the food at once, you can eat a smaller portion and feel full.

Don’t give in to dessert. The picture of the gooey chocolate cake may seem like a have-to-have, but you can resist! Tell yourself that you are full and that you do not need to order any more food. A trick that has worked miracles in fighting off sugar cravings is to keep a small tub of your favorite non-fat sherbet in the freezer at home. This way, you can tell yourself that you already have dessert at home. It makes it easier to leave the chocolate cake behind if you have something to look forward to at home.

Now, go with confidence to your favorite restaurant and spend quality time with your family and friends. Keep these do and don’ts in mind and you will be well on your way to a perfect balance between eating healthy and having a social life.  

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