Menu Decoder: A Guide for Choosing Healthy Dishes When Eating Out
We all try to be healthy and choose the best meals for ourselves. In the kitchen, you have complete control over what you eat. The same can not be said for when you eat out. Unless you are in the kitchen watching over the chef, you have absolutely no control over how much butter, oil, and salt was used in the cooking process. One of the reasons restaurant food tastes much better than food cooked at home is they add a lot more salt and oil which makes the food taste amazing but can lead to fatty liver, high cholesterol, and abnormal blood pressure. Even a simple salad from a restaurant can contain up to 1200 calories in a single serving! With these simple tricks, you can learn how to pick the healthiest dish from the menu.
Avoid Anything “Crispy”
“Crispy” is a term the restaurants use in place of fried. The frying process adds unnecessary calories and carbohydrates to your meal with little nutritional benefit. The calorie difference between meat that was grilled and meat that was fried can be astronomical. For instance, grilled chicken breast contains about 165 calories while fried chicken breast contains 320!
Order Salads Dry
Many restaurants put more dressing on their salad. When going to a restaurant, order all dressings on the side so that you can control how much you eat.
Choose the Bowl Option
In order to become keto-friendly, many restaurants will omit the bread and create a salad option of the entre that you want. Substituting lettuce for bread will not only reduce the calories and carbohydrates but also add fiber and vitamins that improve digestive health.
Split Your Entree
Restaurants generally serve large portions double what you actually need. Either save half of your entree for later or share it with a friend. This is not only good for the waistline but also for the wallet.
Wait to Drink the Complimentary Wine
Restaurants often serve complimentary wine prior to a meal in order to lower the inhibitions of their guests. After having a glass of wine, you may order more food than you normally would have.
Say No to Breadsticks and Tortilla Chips
Many restaurants serve these free of charge while you wait for the main course. Opting to wait patiently for your meal will save you calories in the long run.
Choose Whole Foods
Whole foods are foods that are not over prepared and processed. Look for fresh vegetables with lots of color. The bright red and orange color of carrots and bell peppers indicate a large amount of vitamin A.
With these tricks, feel confident to go to that restaurant and enjoy the meals and the people you love without having to sacrifice your figure.
