Are you wondering how to start dining out if you want to lose weight? Do you consistently starve yourself until you get to the restaurant, and then order everything on the menu to fill the hunger gap? If you are serious about watching your weight, there are things you can do to be a more ‘informed diner’, so you make the right decisions on what food to eat when you dine out.
Fitness expert Bob Green (yes, the same Bob Green from the Oprah show) gives us a few tips on what to consider at diverse types of restaurants.
Dining out at Italian Restaurants
If you want to lose weight at an Italian restraint, it is best to fist be sure to skip the breadbasket. At the very least, don’t have it sitting in front of you for the whole meal.
Why not share the pasta dishes? Portions are normally large enough for two.
Or consider choosing a soup for a meal, like Minestrone.
You should avoid anything called ‘parmigiana’ as it is usually fried and layered with cheese.
Chinese Restaurants
When at a Chenese restaurant, be sure to watch out for all the oil and avoid anything deep-fried. And remember that most of the calories are hidden in the sauces.
Egg rolls should not be an option for you as they are filled with fat.
Despite how healthy dishes with eggplant in them sound – they soak up the oil like a sponge!
When looking at rice, choose brown rice over white. Don’t mistake fried rice for brown rice.
Unbelievably, fortune cookies are okay to eat – they only have about thirty calories.
Mexican Restaurants
If you are dining out and want to lose weight at a Mexican restaurant, be sure to skip the chips and nachos. They are loaded with calories. Also consider substituting salsa for other toppings such as cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.
Avoid quesadillas and enchiladas that are filled with cheese. Tamales are filled with fat.
Think about portion control and try to only eat half a burrito – save the rest for later.
Taco salads are always a good option – just don’t eat the shell. The shell doubles the calories!
As far as the best option, fajitas are it! Load them up with veggies and salsa but skip the sour cream.
Can dining out be dangerous?
Bob believes there is “nothing more dangerous than showing up at a restaurant really hungry.” Being an informed diner can save you hundreds of calories in just one meal. To buffer the hunger, be sure to snack before you go out. This can prevent you from accidentally eating more than you need.
Meals can be a way to enjoy dinning out, if done correctly, you can have a wonderful time, and lose weight. Focus on your company, not necessarily just consuming food.
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