Six Easy Steps to Healthy Eating When Dining Out

By Jonathan Ling

If you've been following a diet plan to lose weight or maintain your current body weight, then you need to be very careful about what you eat and drink when you dine out. If you're not careful you will find that you have gained back all the weight you lost. Is it possible to dine out while remaining true to your diet?

Of course it's possible to enjoy a healthy meal at just about any restaurant - even at most fast food places. Follow these six simple guidelines to help you choose the healthiest meal when you are dining out during your next meal.

One: Avoid Starchy Carbohydrates such as potatoes in almost every form. White rice and white bread are two of the most common diet busting culprits found at almost every eatery, along with tortilla chips. Don't order these items as they have almost zero nutritional value, but they will add unnecessary calories which spike your blood sugar levels and eventually trigger your body to store more fat. This is surely not what you want to happen!

Two: Drink water or unsweetened tea. Basically for your beverage you need to avoid drinks sweetened with high fructose corn syrup for the same reason you need to avoid starchy carbohydrates - unnecessary calories which spike the blood sugar levels. Your best option is a glass of filtered water with a lemon.

[TIP: If you absolutely must have a soda, opt for a diet soda (however these have high sodium and are sweetened with potentially harmful chemicals, which is not healthy in the long run).]

Three: Fresh fruits and vegetables. No matter the entree you order, make sure to choose one with plenty of servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat these items first before choosing to eat any other 'less healthy' items.

Four: Avoid 'heavy' sauces, salad dressing and too much cheese. These items are often hidden diet busters because they add extra fat calories to a meal and most people don't even give a second thought to them. Use sauces and salad dressing in moderation on the side. Limit your cheese consumption as this also adds extra fat to your meal.

Five: Smaller meal portions. Restaurants nowadays are 'super sizing' everything - and we are all paying for it with increased obesity levels everywhere! You do not need to eat everything they put on your plate! Instead, limit your meal size to smaller portions. Take the extra food home to enjoy at another meal tomorrow.

[TIP: Enjoy your meal with a friend or family member and split it with them. Most meals served today are actually large enough for two people!]

Six: Dessert can be a diet killer! Avoid most desserts as they are simply loaded with blood sugar spiking sweetness which triggers your body to respond by storing extra fat.

[TIP: If you have a sweet craving after your meal, choose 'lite' desserts which include fresh fruits instead of cakes, pies and ice cream.]

There you have it! Six super diet tips for eating out at any restaurant and still enjoying your meal without busting your diet. Follow these tips each and every time you go out to eat and you will find that you feel better - and you can enjoy a guilt-free meal out!

Jonathan Ling is a normal guy who lost 30 pounds and learned how to keep it off. During college he was a skinny guy who had a hard time gaining weight. After college, marriage and children, he was a formerly skinny guy who had become overweight (and very very busy). Now he shares his experience and wisdom to help others lose weight and feel great - and enjoy life!

Visit his latest website about heart rate monitor watches, also known as a calorie counter watch.

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