Dine-Out Tips

1. Ask for drinks with no added sugars. Water or unsweetened teas are good choices. You can even ask for a glass of 1% milk.
2. Have fluids before you start into your main course.
3. Ask your server what he or she considers to be the healthiest food options on the menu, and why.
4. Consider sharing a main dish with your companion, but first ask if this is okay with your waiter.
5. Slow down, and enjoy your meal. Take time to relax and enjoy your dining out experience.
6. Look for main dishes that include vegetables.
7. Ask if you can substitute a side fries for raw vegetables, steamed vegetables or a salad.
8. If you are having protein, look at ordering skinless chicken breast, fish, or lean meat.
9. Start your meal with a salad that contains a lot of veggies. Not only will it reduce your need to eat more at dinner, you’ll be consuming a lot of fiber that is healthy for you.
10. Ask for salad dressing to be served on the side. Start with putting only half of the dressing on your salad; it may be all that you need.
11. Avoid “all you can eat” dining options, and eat until you are satisfied, but not overly full! It is okay not to finish your meal. Look at getting a doggy bag.
12. Look for smaller meals high in vegetables. Ask if you can have a half order.
13. Avoid rich sauces like gravy or heavy cream sauces.
14. If you are traveling, be sure to check out Healthy Dine Out’s food reviews in the city you are going to be visiting.
15. Don’t be afraid to ask what oils have been used in the dish you are thinking of ordering, or how the dish is prepared.
16. Look at ordering foods that have been steamed, broiled, poached, lightly sautéed, or roasted.
17. Remember, foods served with cream sauces, fried, au gratin, pan-fried, sautéed, crispy, or scalloped are all quite high in fats and calories so watch portion sizes.
18. Look for meals that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
19. Taste your meal before you add salt, as it may already be salty enough.
20. Look for dishes that are still very flavourful, but low in salt. Dishes that use spices don’t always need a lot of salt…
21. Ask for a fruit bowl for dessert instead of a high calorie sugary dessert.

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