For many people, going out to eat at restaurants can feel like a recipe that spells diet disaster. Between tempting menu descriptions, huge portions, and having no way of knowing how many calories you’re consuming, you feel like you need to stay at home in order to stay on track with weight loss plans. Since going out to eat is both a culinary and social pleasure you probably don’t want to give up forever, learning your way around a menu and figuring out how to navigate your way around a menu when eating at restaurants and knowing how to “dine responsibly” are skills that are definitely worth mastering. If you’re somebody who only eats out a couple times a year, then you should just go out and enjoy yourself. However, most people eat around a third of their meals away from home, which is why it’s worth paying attention to some common restaurant diet traps. Read on to learn more about eating healthy at restaurants from The Meeting Point. If you’re looking for a nutrition program or support with your health journey, call The Meeting Point in Miami, FL today!

Tips To Stay Healthy Eating Out

Here are some simple tips to guide you when you choose to eat out at restaurants, so you don’t blow your calorie count and nutrition plan!

• Don’t go off the rails from your usual meal plan- You need to have your typical meal plan in mind for what you usually eat for all your meals, and try to stick to it. If you normally eat some combination of protein, veggies, and salad for lunch, then look for something that fits this criteria on the menu. Don’t go for a heavy sandwich or alfredo.
• Watch out for foods that sound healthier than they are- Sandwiches CAN be healthy if made with lean meats, veggies, and whole grain breads. However, calories stack up fast with cheese or mayo, or if the sandwich is huge. Salads may sound healthy, but heavy dressing and fried noodles are big on the calories.
• Careful of the daily specials- Your server may come by with a mouth-watering description of the daily special, and a lot of times specials can’t be modified, so you won’t be able to skip the sauce or gravy, or have the fish grilled rather than pan-fried. IF the special does fit your nutrition program, then great, but try to have something planned from the regular menu just in case, so that you have a backup. 

Eating Healthy at Restaurants

• Don’t fall in the supersize trap- You really need to be firm when offered more food than you need, even if it sounds like great value. If your server offers a side of friends for just a dollar more, think about the extra 40 grams of fat and 600 calories you’ll be paying for.
• Read calorie counts on menus carefully- You may end up eating 20% more calories than what the menu says. Moreover, menu calorie counts typically list the items separately, not for the whole meal, so while you’re thinking about the calories for the entree, don’t forget about how many are in the sides.

Contact Us Today

Eating healthy at restaurants is easy if you keep in mind a few guidelines. If you’re looking for a nutrition program or advice on your health journey, call The Meeting Point in Miami, FL today!