With Valentines Day fast approaching I’m sure many of us will be dining out with our significant other or just kicking it with good friends. I’m also pretty sure that food will be in abundance. I am of the belief that food is to be enjoyed. I think that every time we deprive ourselves it only sets us up for a major binge episode, which then leads to feeling guilty and bad about yourself, which leads to more eating and the cycle never ends. I believe that you can reach your weight loss goals through:
- Making healthier food choices
- Practicing portion control
- Swapping out fatty, non-healthy foods for a healthy version of your favorites
- And of course exercising some control in those moments when you throw all caution to the wind
I don’t know about you but eating out for me can trip me up if I don’t have a strategy firmly in place before sitting down at the table. Here are 10 things you can do to make your dining out experience a more enjoyable and guilt-free time with friends.
Don’t Drink Your Calorie – Opt for water instead of soda or alcohol. If you want to snazz it up…add a lemon or lime wedge.
Plan In Advance – These days you’ll find that restaurant menus are usually available online. Check out the menu in advance, pick out what you will have and decide now that you can’t wait to sink your teeth into it.
Fellowship And Have Fun – Make your time out more about the company you’ll be with and less about the food.
Be Clear About What You Want – Although you may not be dining at Burger King, you can still have it your way. Be clear about how you want your meal prepared and what you do and don’t want on it.
Ask Questions – Along the same vein as above, ask questions. Find out how the meal is prepared. Ask if it’s fried, prepared in butter and so on. This is a perfect example of knowledge is power. Knowing the answers to these questions will put you in the driver seat of your health.
Skip The Bread – If it’s okay with your dining companions ask the server to hold the bread. If that doesn’t sit well with your friends, decide ahead of time to skip the bread so you’ll have more room for your main course.
Supersize The Veggies – If your meal comes with two sides don’t feel compelled to order two different items. Instead ask for a double order of veggies. That way you can’t go wrong.
Take Some To Go – The portion sizes at restaurants are insane. In many cases one meal comes to about 2-3 servings, maybe more. Before your meal arrives at the table ask your server to bring a to-go box. Once the meal arrives, portion off what you will eat now and box up the rest for later.
Have Salad and Soup – Instead of having something decadent for your main course consider having a nice salad and some soup for your meal. Be sure to ask for the dressing on the side.
Share The Wealth – I don’t know about you but for me appetizers and dessert are what I live for when I dine out. Rather than skipping them and being miserable the whole time, I say indulge, just do it wisely. Share the appetizers and dessert with a friend or two. That way you get to enjoy without consuming the whole thing yourself. In this case a little dab will do ya!
There’s always a way to enjoy yourself and eat smart in the process. It may require some planning and a little enginuity but it can be done. Once your make this a habit dining out will no longer throw you into a tailspin.
Your Turn To Share
What are some of your go-to dining out strategies to keep you on track while still allowing you to have an enjoyable experience with friends?