Eating out, the Healthy way

If you hate to cook and love to eat out, here are some healthy choices that will greatly lower your calorie intake.

• Look or ask for nutrition information. Most fast food and casual dining have nutrition information. Fancy restaurants do not since most of their food is gourmet (or made on the spot with alterations to the recipe).
• If ordering chicken, get it broiled or grilled. The last thing you need is those extra calories from the breading and oil. Since we are a healthy conscious society, most places are happy to oblige.
• Watch portion sizes. You may think that salad is a good choice but it fills an entire dinner plate by itself! Example, the Premium Southwest salad with crispy chicken at McDonalds is 450 calories with 190 from fat. (nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf).  An Aussie Chicken Cobb Salad Grilled is 960 calories from Outback Steak house. (http://www.outback.com/menu/nutritionselection.aspx) Eat half of what is given you and you will be a lot better off in the long run.
• Control your condiments. Get all dressings on the side. The restaurants go for taste and pound on the dressings. Simply ask for all salad dressing, mayo, ketchup, and oils on the side. Again, the restaurant will be more than happy to accommodate.
• Drink water instead of sugar drinks.
• Ask for a lunch size or if you can split it with your friends. This will control your portions and allow you to still enjoy the taste.
• ASK QUESTION! The servers are there to serve you and treat you with respect. (after all you control their tip). On a personal note with that, if they do what you ask, make sure to tip them well. 20% of the check. It is the least you could do.

Enjoy your night out and make smart choices. Remember, the small choices are the best choices.


 http://www.sharecare.com/question/when-eating-out-what-order-stay-heart-healthy-diet
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diningout.cfm