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Eating healthy takes planning, there’s just no getting around it. If you are going to eat out, you’ve got to plan ahead. Think about where you’re going and make the decision to eat well before you go. Decide whether or not to have a cocktail or dessert. Before you leave the house visit the restaurant’s website and check out their nutritional information or visit a website such as dietfacts.com to help you make great decisions.

Eating out is fun. We American’s really enjoy a good meal out with family and friends and just because you are trying to make better food choices, doesn’t mean you have to pass up a dining out opportunity.

Quick Tips:

A salad is not always healthy - Consider what’s in or on the salad before you order. I’ve been unpleasantly surprised more than once to find that the salad I considered “healthy” was actually a huge calorie packed stick of dynamite. Sometimes, the better choice is a small entrée of chicken or fish, rather than the greens that are masquerading as healthy.

Eat smaller portions - American’s love to super size everything! The portions being served in restaurants are very large, much larger than an actual serving size. Instead of cleaning your plate, consider eating half and then ask for a to-go box. Better yet, split a meal with a friend.

Cocktails expensive financially and calorically – to drink or not to drink, that is the question. It’s your call, but I like to stick to the rule that calories should not come from anything liquid. If it’s a treat, I want to chew it and enjoy it for as long as possible.

Sharing dessert – Sometimes you’ve just got to have that yummy, chocolaty, oozy, lava cake. There’s no getting around it. If you don’t eat it…you’ll die. Okay, maybe you won’t die, but you’ll dwell on that little slice of heaven until it makes you insane. Then, you’ll eat the entire thing in thirty-seconds flat. What’s a girl to do? Order it and split it with a friend. Ask your serve specifically to give you a very small portion. Better still, help yourself to three bites, savor each one and then send the dessert away. You’ll get the treat without completely blowing your diet.

Avoid fast-food – Yeah, I know, but seriously you will be surprised at how gross a greasy, fat-laden burger and fries tastes when you haven’t eaten it for a couple of months.

Eating right doesn’t mean you have to avoid eating out. With some careful planning and good meal selections you can have it all and more.

Nutritional Websites:

http://www.Dietfacts.com

http://www.nutritiondata.com

http://my.dietpower.com/tools/fast_food_facts.php

http://www.calorieking.com/foods/

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