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Whether you're grabbing fast food to go or enjoying an evening at a five-star restaurant, dining out can be a challenge to your health.
Here's the skinny on making your next restaurant meal a more healthful one.
Menu stash
Don't leave your choices to chance—or your appetite. At work and home, keep a stash of menus from nearby restaurants that offer healthful dishes. When traveling, go for chain restaurants with light menu items and vegetarian options, and pack nutritious snacks when you know your choices are slim.
Background check
Chances are, full nutritional disclosure won't be on the menu. Ask your server about your food, including preparation, ingredients, and serving sizes. Foods that are grilled, steamed, baked, or broiled usually contain less oil and fat than fried or braised dishes. Fresh vegetables and fruit plates are often good choices.
Special requests
See if you can substitute vegetables or a fruit cup for fries, get the (light) salad dressing on the side, and ask for tortillas with your salsa instead of chips at Mexican restaurants. At pizza parlors, you can cut your calorie and fat intake by requesting half the usual amount of cheese. Don't be afraid to speak up with reasonable requests. After all, the customer is always right!
Premeal sabotage
Ever eat so many rolls while you wait for a meal that you're stuffed when it arrives? Nip that in the bud with a big salad—the more vegetables, the better. (Be sure to avoid croutons, bacon bits, and creamy dressing.)
Portion control
Choose restaurants that permit half orders, whatever the plate charge might be. Or just eat half your entrée, and take home the rest in a doggie bag for a later meal. You may opt for an appetizer as your meal, which often solves the portion problem. And instead of ordering dessert, ask if you can have a 20-calorie bite of your companion's 2,000-calorie "death by chocolate" cheesecake.
More water, please
To wash down your deliciously healthful meal, have a glass of water with a twist of lemon or lime. You can't beat the calorie count or the price!
The articles on this website are not intended to provide you with health or medical advice; only your health care professional can do that. Please consult your health care professional before beginning any health-related program. Health Expressions is paid for and sponsored by
Oral-B®, Crest®, Vicks®, Prilosec OTC®, Metamucil®,
Pepto-Bismol®, and PUR®.
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All copy and claims valid only in the U.S.
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