Don’t let a night out ruin all the hard work you’ve put into your diet. You can still eat out AND eat healthy. Here are five great tips on how to eat healthy in restaurants.

1. Put it on the side, please.
Restaurants are notorious for ruining a beautiful salad with piles of oily dressing or a truly healthy sandwich with gobs of mayonnaise. Be in control of your portions by asking for toppings, dressings, and condiments on the side. Sugary and fatty spreads should be eaten in moderation.

2. Drink water.
Soda pop is full of sugar, a beer has the same amount of calories as a bologna sandwich, and creamy drinks are fattening. Stick with water as a healthy, calorie-free alternative that will keep you hydrated and your bill low.

3. Pass on the milk.
From creamy soups to milky al fredo sauces, you should skip the dairy. For soups, choose a broth based choice. For pastas, pick one that comes with a tomato sauce, which is less fattening than a creamy sauce and just as tasty.

4. Sub out the potato.
If your meal comes with a starch like french fries or a baked potato, always ask to substitute it with steamed vegetables or a side salad. As tempting as fries can be, they’ll bog you down with salt, fatty oil, and bloat-causing carbohydrates.

5. Stop when you feel full.
Eat slow and stop when you’re ready. You don’t have to finish everything on your plate and if you don’t, you can always ask to take the remainder home with you.

Tags: Healthy Eating //