Dining out while dieting is where many people hit a stumbling block in their diet. The temptation to opt for a dish that is high in fat and served with a rich, creamy sauce can spoil the effort that you have made to lose weight for the rest of the week. However, it is not necessary to completelty avoid eating out on a diet, you just need to make the right decisions about your food and drink. Here are some tips for eating out on a diet to help you make sensible choices.
Tips for Eating Out on a Diet
1. Drink a Glass of Water
Taking the simple step of drinking a glass of water before you leave home can reduce your appetite making you less likely to overeat while you are dining out. Similarly, drinking water with your meal will help to prevent you from overindulging.
2. Choose Your Venue Carefully
There are some cuisines that are more likely to offer a menu with lots of high fat and high-calorie meals. For example, fast-food restaurants and fish and chip shops are places that are best avoided whilst you are on a diet.
3. Choose Meals Wisely
Take your time to read the menu and choose a meal that you will enjoy but that is also a good option for while you maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are unsure of whether a meal contains ingredients that are high in fat and calories, then ask your server for advice. Try to select a venue where there is a wide choice of food available on the menu or one that offers a salad bar.
4. Avoid the Sauce: One of the Best Tips for Eating Out on a Diet
The majority of sauces are high in calories and fat. Therefore, one of the best tips for eating out on a diet is to avoid sauces completely. However, if you find food too dry without a sauce, then choose one that is vegetable based, such as a tomato sauce, rather than sauces that are cream-based, such as peppercorn or brandy sauce. Similarly, ask for salads without the sauce.
5. Side Orders
The accompaniments served with the main part of your meal can make a big difference. If your meal comes with a choice of potatoes, then avoid fries and opt for boiled potatoes or a jacket. A salad is also a good dieting choice as an accompaniment to your food. Other additional items to avoid include side orders of garlic bread or onion rings.
6. Desserts
It is probably best to avoid desserts while trying to lose weight. However, if you have a sweet tooth and can’t resist, then opt for a fruit salad, meringue or ice-cream. Do not order extra cream or custard to accompany your dessert as this will only increase your overall fat and calorie intake.
7. Drinks
The drinks you choose can also make a significant impact on your calorie intake when eating out. Although most drinks are low in fat or fat-free, they are often high in sugar and calories. If you are drinking soft drinks, then opt for the diet options. In terms of alcoholic drinks, spirits are the best choice. Drink these either straight, with soda water, or with low-calorie sodas. This is great news for G&T lovers!
Tips for Eating Out on a Diet- The Final Verdict
When trying to lose weight, people are often afraid to eat out in case they divert from their eating plan. However, you can still eat out in restaurants when you are on a diet if you make sensible decisions as outlined in these tips.
Last updated on 08/10/2020