printEating Out Tips
Being on a diet doesn't mean that you can't eat out, it just means that you need to have a plan in place before you go to the restaurant.
Check the restaurant's on-line menu and plan ahead what healthy choice you're going to eat.
Ask if there is butter added, for details about the cooking method of a certain dish or for sauce to be served on the side. You are the customer and the customer is always right!
Golden rules
Cutting down on portion size is the simplest way to cut calories, sharing is caring (for your waistline!)
Low calorie starters: melon, soup (without the bread roll and butter; this can add 180 calories and 9.5 grams of fat) and green salad with dressing on the side.
Ask for an extra portion of salad or vegetables but make sure that there is no butter added. Remember that every individual size (10g) portion of butter is worth 73 calories and 8 grams of fat.
Don't 'double carb', this means having two portions of the starchy carbohydrate such as chips, rice, pasta (the sheets in lasagne also count).
Dishes with cream, coconut milk, crème fraîche, cheese, butter, breadcrumbs or batter added.
While salads can appear healthy, they often have dressings added, such as Caesar or Thousand Island dressing. Ask for dressing to be served on the side.
Be drink wise
A small (125ml) glass of wine contains a whopping 85 calories - maybe more than you think!
Try to limit your intake of alcohol by having an alternative such as water with a slice of lime or a diet soft drink.
Always finish the drink before topping up the glass... this can help you to keep count of your drink intake and hopefully help you to control it!
Alcohol is an appetite stimulant, so it can also cause you to eat more food that you wouldn't otherwise desire.
Desserts
Choose some ice cream or sorbet for the lowest calorie options. A good idea is to share a dessert - and ask for cream to be left off.
