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Anyone who’s ever counted calories likely knows how difficult it can be to navigate a restaurant menu when you go out to eat. On one hand, you want to enjoy yourself, but on the other, you don’t want to sabotage all your hard work! More often than not, eating out can lead to a greater intake of daily calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.
But by arming yourself with these simple restaurant hacks, you’ll be able to enjoy a well-balanced meal that’s tasty AND low-cal!
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Asking for your salad dressing on the side may sound like a basic no-brainer, but it can drastically help cut calories.
While options like creamy caesar and ranch dressing are notoriously loaded with fats, try ordering a vinegar-based dressing that's much better for you. When in doubt, double check the ingredients in your preferred salad and skip empty calories like cheese and croutons in favor of veggies.
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If you're not in the mood for a salad, opt for a starter that will help you fill up instead of bingeing on more calorie-dense entrées. In fact, picking appetizers over mains will save you calories in the long run, due to decreased portion sizes!
A healthy, broth-based soup is a good idea, but just make sure it doesn't feature heavy ingredients (think cheeses and creams).
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While it's pretty much common knowledge that anyone on a diet should avoid refined carbs like white bread, don't despair! Lots of restaurants may bring out the bread basket, while others offer complimentary nibbles with sides of salsa.
According to Healthline, lime juice, onions and tomatoes (common salsa ingredients) are all rich sources of antioxidants and Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also thought to prevent heart disease and promote healthy aging. When served raw (as salsa usually is), it's especially great for Vitamin C absorption.
So go ahead, help yourself to some of that healthy dip!
When it comes to ordering your mains, think lean! According to Trista Best, a dietitian at Balance One Supplements, it's best to choose lean meat over high fat varities. "Requesting fish or poultry over red meat or pork in any meal is an easy way to cut the calories," says Trista.
And last but not least, eat slowly. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal to your brain that you're full, so if you eat too fast, you'll likely overeat before your brain receives that signal.
With these tips in mind, sticking to your diet should be a cinch the next time you're dining out!
