In today's world eating out is a need and also a want. Most of the working mass land up eating their lunch in the cafeteria or a nearby restaurant. This may happen due to lack of time to cook or the type of job we do. If this is unavoidable then let's talk about the want to eat out that is developing among us. This might be for taste, variety, lifestyle (party freaks), and many more.
Well...the reasons are far too many but let's find out ways of turning them into a healthier option.
1. When eating out is unavoidable the least you can do is to turn to a lighter menu. Start with a healthy choice of salad with a light dressing. Soups are a good option but ask for a clear soup or any thin soup. Main courses which are baked, broiled, roasted, poached or steamed will be healthier than anything fried. Choose whole wheat breads, pasta or noodles instead of refined products. Ask for low fat ice creams, fresh fruit salad, fruit sorbet, fruit juices, etc for desserts. It is important to know how the foods are prepared to make the right choice.
2. Don't hesitate to make a special order, even the fast
food counters have started to accommodate your requests now. Ask for less oil in your foods. Try and avoid sauces if they are heavy. Tell them to modify the recipe by cutting down the high calorie ingredients.
3. Watch the portion size. Studies have shown that people tend to consume more food when they eat out than at home. The normal portions served in any restaurant are enough for two. So take the required amount of food on to your plate and leave the rest to pack it home. This will help you to eliminate the temptation to overeat. Many restaurants are serving half portions of the dishes now-a-days which can be a good option too.
4. Sharing your food with a partner is a good idea. By sharing your food your portion size is reduced as there is less available to eat. It is a wise option to especially share your appetisers and desserts. This allows you sample the food you want to eat without letting you to overindulge.
5. Avoid buffets. All-you-can-eat buffets promote overeating. If the temptation isn't in front of you, you are less likely to overindulge.
