Keeping your calorie count low when eating out can sometimes be a challenge. This is especially the case if the food is delicious. Here are a few strategies for limiting your calorie count in restaurants.
Select Healthier Restaurants
In some restaurants, especially the fast food variety, it is very difficult to keep your calorie count low. When eating out, choosing restaurants that offer healthier food options will make it easier to stay at or below your daily caloric needs. Restaurants that cook with unhealthy oils or whose foods contain preservatives and unwanted chemicals are better avoided. Healthy options include restaurants that cook with fresh ingredients and healthy oils, and offer options such as soup, fresh vegetables, salads, whole grains, fruits and a variety of protein sources.
Choose Lower Calorie Foods
If you do find yourself in a fast food restaurant, choose the lower calorie food options. Salads, soups and sandwiches are sometimes available choices. Even in healthier restaurants, you will often have a choice between a creamy sauce and one with fewer calories. When given the choice between fried and grilled, choose the latter because it will generally contain fewer calories. When choosing a drink, you might choose sparkling water over soda. Always look for the lower calorie option. If in doubt, ask the waiter or waitress. They often have good suggestions.
Order Dressings and Sauces on the Side
Another way to keep a low calorie count when eating out is to order dressings and sauces on the side. Some restaurants will drench the food with sauce or dressing. When you order it on the side, you have control over how much you use. You will often find that you can enjoy your meal just as much with less of these ingredients.
Remove the Fat and Skin from Meats
When your meal arrives, consider cutting away any extra fat or skin from meats. Remove the skin from your chicken. Cut the fat off of your steak. Eat just a bit of the skin from your salmon. Fat and skin contain more calories. You can keep your calorie count low by removing the skin and fat or limiting your intake.
Share Your Entree or Dessert
Some restaurants give you enormous portions. You can limit your calorie count by asking your fellow diners ahead of time if they would like to share your meal or dessert. This way you can still enjoy these items, but do so in smaller portions. Be sure to separate any portion that seems excessive and ask for a to-go box. Most restaurant meals can be enjoyed the following day for lunch.
Eat Slowly and Enjoy Your Food
When you eat slowly, really chew your food and appreciate the taste of each ingredient, you will tend to eat less. This goes for the food that is on the table when you sit down, such as bread and butter, as well as your appetizer and main meal. If you slow down, you can still have a taste of everything on the table, but do so in very small amounts.
