Whenever you eat out, there are some clever tricks that will help you to choose healthy options wherever you're eating!
First of all, never forget that whenever and wherever you eat out, you're in control. A restaurant is privileged to have you as their guest (if they're not, there's many that will be) - they're there to supply you with a service - you're 'employing' them to cook your food for you (and do the washing up), regardless of whether it's the cafe down the road or in a Michelin star restaurant.
Also remember, food served in restaurants usually contains 50% or more calories than the food you'd serve at home. Add to this the fact that portion sizes have increased over the years; eating-out can become a real risk to any weight or health management plan. But with a few little tricks and a good idea of what you want to achieve, restaurants need not become 'no go zones'.
Tips & Tricks
- If you can't get the nutritional information of food, assume that it's high in calories.
- Order your food with your goals in mind. Ask yourself if what you're ordering helps or hinders your personal health goal. Portion sizes are important - if you control the portion size then the calories will look after themselves.
- You can control what arrives on your plate - just make sure those serving you know what you want.
- By being polite to the waiter you'll find they will normally bend over backwards to help out.
- Restaurants want you to enjoy your time with them because they need your custom (they are a business after all) - so never be afraid to change a dish, ask for the dressing to be left off or order a selection of side orders instead of a main course. Don't ever compromise your goals to make it easier for the restaurant - you're in control!
- Learn more tips and tricks of healthy eating with your own health coach account
