DIET AND EXERCISE TIPS
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DIET AND EXERCISE TIPS
6 Strategies for Savvy Ordering in a Restaurant
NEW! Excerpted from The EatingWell Diet book.
- Read the whole menu. Get a feel for what’s available and estimate the calories before you make a decision about what to order.
- Be the first to order. That way you won’t be tempted to go along when the rest of the gang orders more than you’d like to eat.
- Consider à la carte. Try getting a soup or salad and an appetizer, or a couple of side dishes, instead of an overly large entree. Many restaurants these days offer smaller “tasting” plates or tapas-size portions too. They are worth a try and often just right in size.
- Split the difference. If an entrée sounds like too much food, see if one of your dining companions would like to share it with you. Or set aside half of the food as soon as it arrives and ask the waiter to wrap it up for you.
- Ask for sauces and dressings on the side. Most restaurants use a heavy hand with toppings; they just can’t help themselves. When they’re on the side you can control the amount without having to miss out. Rather than pouring them on, dip the tip of your fork into the dressing or sauce, then take a bite of food, so you’ll get a little taste in every bite.
- Ask questions. Request that food be prepared your way, within reason (asking for a salad on the side instead of chips is reasonable; asking to have the fish and chips special steamed instead of fried is not). Ask politely but unapologetically; remember, restaurants are in the service business. Most are more than willing to accommodate your request—after all, you’re paying!
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
Sounds like it's worth trying!
Linda Coulter, Riverview, FL |
Alway ask if they have the written info on the nutrition values of the food they serve. If they say no, ask them to go check with a manager. 9 times out of 10 it is available the waitress and waiters may not realize this. It never hurts to ask.
Melissa, Gulf Shores, AL |
When you order, go ahead and also order a to-go box. As soon as your food arrives at the table, immediately put half in the box for tomorrow or the next day.
Larry, Manhattan, KS |
If you know the restaurant make up your mind before you get there... another way to avoid being swayed.
Cookie, New York, NY |
My husband is a diabetic and very overweight so he must watch his portions. When we eat out we split the entree. This also saves us money!! Also stay away from most fast food places since even if they do have what they call "A healthy menu" it seldom is!
Marilyn, Palm Springs, CA |
I agree on splitting entrees. Even when I go out alone on occasion I always eat half and pack up the other half. Then I have lunch for the next day and paid for two meals the price of one. Sometimes it helps to ask for the to-go box before you even eat. Pack up half the food and then it is less tempting to eat the entire entree.
Rachel, Nashville, TN |
If you can, take a menu home with you before you go to a restaurant. Keep these menus and pick what you are going to order before you leave home. This helps to cut money and lets you pick the good food.
grace, Keller, TE |
Most restaurants will also let you order lunch portions at dinner time or even off the children's menu. It is cheaper and the portion size is more diet friendly...
Jennifer, Chicago, IL |
Another good tip that I use is to go online and research the restaurants. Most restaurants these days have the nutritional info posted on their site along with the menu options.
Bridgette, Austin, TX |
hi, i just really got on your email, and some of the ideas were great i eat out a lot.
and the advice to get a to go
bag before eating was something that i never would have thought to do, thanks..
Stehanie K. Hale, Cincinnati, OK |
If you go to McDonald that have a menu on the back to tell how many calories you eating.
Latasha Walker, Eutaw, AL |
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