Dining Out 101

Do you consistently starve yourself until you get to the restaurant, and then order everything on the menu to fill the hunger gap?

I, personally, don’t go out to eat that often. It is usually only when there is a special occasion to celebrate or if we are out and about running some errands and it is unavoidable. I love to cook at home and it is typically much cheaper in the long run to do so.

However, 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 different types of restaurants.

Italian Restaurants – Certainly a favorite of mine, but the pasta dishes are loaded with carbs and fats.

Skip the bread basket. At the very least, don’t have it sitting in front of you for the whole meal.
Split the pasta dishes. Portions are normally large enough for two.
Choose soup for a meal, like Minestrone.
Avoid anything called ‘parmagiana’ as it is usually fried and layered with cheese.

Chinese Restaurants – Plenty of options here, but traditional Chinese is NOT the same as American-Chinese!

Watch the oil and avoid anything deep-fried.
Remember most of the calories are hidden in the sauces.
Say “no” to egg rolls – they are filled with fat.
Avoid dishes with eggplant in them – they soak up the oil like a sponge.
Choose brown rice over white. Don’t mistake fried rice for brown rice.
Fortune cookies are okay to eat – they only have about 30 calories.

Mexican Restaurants – Okay this is probably my favorite cuisine right behind Italian, but I don’t eat it too often…

Skip the chips/nachos.
Substitute 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.
Try to only eat half a burrito – save the rest for later.
Taco salads are a good option – just don’t eat the shell. The shell doubles the calories.
Fajitas are a good option. Load them up with veggies and salsa, skip the sour cream.

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.

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