Going to a restaurant can sometimes feel like navigating through an obstacle course. Wherever you turn, there could be hidden fat, calories or ingredients lurking in each dish.
So what should you do? Here are quick tips to help you enjoy your restaurant experience dish by dish.
Before you order
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the food. If your server doesn’t know the answers, ask him or her to check with the chef. Some questions you might want to ask are:
- Can the item be grilled or broiled instead of fried?
- Can a dish be stir-fried with less fat?
- Which soup is made with broth instead of cream?
- Can you substitute a baked potato, salad, or vegetables instead of fries?
Appetizers
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- Request that sauces and salad dressings be served on the side. Also ask for high-fat salad toppers on the side or request they are removed altogether.
- Combine a soup, salad, and side dish or combine one or two appetizers and a salad for a healthy, portion-controlled meal.
- Choose a broth-based or bean soup.
- Order pasta from the appetizer list rather than the larger dinner portion. The smaller portion will save you fat, calories and money.
- At Mexican restaurants, try to limit the chips you eat to a handful.
Main Course
- Choose items that are baked, broiled, grilled, or poached instead of fried. Watch for clues on the menu – “crispy” or “breaded” means fried.
- Order the smallest meat portion. A grilled chicken breast is a better choice than half a chicken. Or choose a filet instead of a 12-ounce steak.
- Eat just half of your meal if portions are large. Put the extra portion in a take-home box before you dig in.
- Think about splitting a dish with a friend. You can each order a salad and share a main course.
Side Dishes
- Ask for double vegetables instead of fries.
- Be careful of sides like mashed cauliflower, which is loaded in butter and cream.
- Order steamed rice, or better yet, brown rice, instead of fried rice or noodles.
- Use less sour cream or butter on your baked potato or vegetables.
- Choose smaller portions of Mexican rice, black or pinto beans, and salsa.
Dessert
- Sometimes the low-fat, fat-free, and/or sugar-free desserts are not that much lower in calories than regular options. Check it out.
- Order the child size portion if available.
- Ask for two spoons for one dessert and share!
