Tips for Dining Out When on a Diet

Eating out has become more of a necessity than a luxury, with busy Moms juggling their work with household chores. But the variety of choices available when choosing to dine out make your carefully followed diet routine fall apart in no time. But that need not be the case always. Dining out does not necessarily mean eating unhealthy. Some smart choices will make dining out a wonderful affair without ruining your diet.

Eat at Healthy Dining Restaurants

A variety of eating places have now classified themselves under recognized Healthy Dining programs. Canada's 'Eat Smart' is one such program which recognizes top restaurants for providing healthier menus. These restaurants include a lot of vegetables and fruits in their menus along with low fat cooking options for most items listed on their menu. Many other restaurants will also oblige to a 'low fat' cooking request to please their customers.

Avoid 'Cream-Based' Foods

This applies to soups and sauces. 'Cream of' soups are richer soups with more fat and calories. Lighter soups will be filling as well as healthier. When ordering Pastas, opt for tomato or mushroom based sauces rather than creamy sauces. Tomatoes and Mushrooms will also add to your Veggie count!

Order Meals Planned Around Vegetables, Not Meat

Rather than ordering meat with a vegetable side dish, order a meal featuring vegetables in the main course. Pasta, Noodles, Salads, Stir-Fried Vegetables, Veggie Pizza, Fruit and vegetable based soups, Tacos etc. are good choices. Alternatively, order at least one vegetable dish, a serving of fresh fruits or a glass of juice with your meal.

Choose Your Breads Carefully

Go for plain bread and rolls instead of butter and cheese smeared slices. Make your meal healthier by choosing fibre rich breads such as whole wheat or tortillas etc. Choose soft textured vegetables and main course to go with plain breads so you don't feel the need to add butter or other fat.

Reduce the Fat in Your Order

Opting for Lean meat, grilled fish, chicken wings, baked potato etc. instead of the regular fried chicken, fish fillet, French fries etc. will considerably reduce the amount of calories in your meal. Go for sub sandwiches, pizzas, wraps etc. to make the foods more filling. When ordering salad, order dressings and sour cream on the side so you can control the amount yourself. Look for items that are baked, grilled, steamed, poached, broiled or sautéed. Go for mustard as opposed to mayonnaise or other sauces.

Control the Portions

Restaurant portions are way too much than what you would normally eat at home. Let your body guide you to stop when you are full. You can order the rest of the meal to be taken home as a parcel. Sharing your meals will save you a lot many calories as well as dollars.

Watch What You Drink

It is easy to lose count of the soda cans you empty when discussing matters over a meal at a restaurant table. But that can cost you a lot many extra pounds so make it a point to limit your soda. Choosing alcohol-free drinks can help reduce calories considerably. Tea without sugar or even green tea is a great option to accompany your meals. And whatever happened to good old water. Why not choose plain water to rinse your palette between courses without putting on any calories.