Eating at a party or restaurant doesn’t mean you have to kill your healthy diet. You can certainly have a good time with your friends and dine well without compromising on your diet. All you need to do is plan ahead and choose food carefully when out.
Check the menu before you go
Thanks to apps and new technology you can now go online and have a look at the menu and decide what you’d like before hand. Just check if they serve something healthy like grilled items, salads, vegetable sides and so forth. Decide what you will order and stick to it.
Avoid snacking
Before the actual meal begins we tend to binge on appetiser trays which are mostly loaded with fat. The basic rule is to avoid them! Even freebies like a basket of rolls and butter can pile up fat and calories that you don’t need. If you can’t exercise control, have your server remove the lure.
Show your love for salads
All you need to do is pile on fresh greens, beans and veggies, but don’t drown it with high-fat dressings or toppings like cheese, eggs, bacon or croutons. Pick calorie-friendly dressings (vinaigrette, low-cal dressings, even a generous squeeze of fresh lemon).
Try and practice portion control
Most restaurants these days serve a lot of food – almost double the quantity one person needs in a meal. Don’t try to finish those mega-size portions. Try sharing a meal or taking a doggie bag so that you can have a quick meal at a later time. Eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed, and take the rest home. Also listen to your internal hunger signals and stop when you have had enough. Eating slowly helps you recognise such cues.