When you go out to eat, keep this fact in mind: The average meal at large chain restaurants has about 1,128 calories. That's more than half the calories most people should eat in an entire day in just one meal. Even the small neighborhood restaurants have an average of 1,327 calories, and that doesn’t include drinks and appetizers. The food at some restaurants might contain even more calories than that in just one dish. Even if you don’t order the biggest and greasiest dish on the menu, you're still probably consuming too many calories. So how can you avoid these calorie traps and eat healthy, even when eating outside? |
Prepare yourself ahead of time. Before you go out, take 5 minutes to go over the online nutrition facts posted on the restaurant's website. Most fast-food restaurants and chain restaurants have this feature, and with proper planning, you can save yourself 1,000 calories or more. Choose a low-calorie appetizer. Stick with light appetizers like tuna, shrimp (not fried), and vegetables. This can have a dramatic effect on how 'heavy' your meal is, as appetizers can sometimes be extremely fattening and high on calories. |
Always choose veggies as your side dish. When given a choice, always ask for steamed vegetables instead of fries or onion rings. Be sure to ask how the vegetables are prepared, if they’re fried or cooked with butter, ask if you can get them steamed instead. Ask for a salad with the dressing on the side. A salad is often the most healthy choice for eating out but there can sometimes be a hidden danger in the dressing. Be sure to order it without croutons or cheese, and ask for a vinaigrette based dressing on the side. This way you can control just how much you put on your salad. Take your pasta with red sauces. Tomato-based sauces are usually healthier options than the white, cream-based sauces. In addition, ask if they have whole grain or whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta. It might cost a bit more but it's a huge difference for your body and blood pressure. |
Look at the healthy or light menu first. Many restaurants today offer options under a special part of the menu called “reduced calories,” or “under 600 calories.” It’s the first place you should look for your order and even then, always remember the other tips. Drink water. Drinks can put a damper on an otherwise healthy meal. Fruity drinks and sodas are very often just calories with a lot of added sugar. Stick with water, tea, and coffee with just a bit of cream and sugar. |
Choose healthy and lean proteins. Chicken, turkey, and fish are your best bet in almost any restaurant. Try going for a dish that’s grilled or broiled and not fried. Sharing is caring... about your health. When you go out with other people you can use this simple strategy to reduce your calorie intake. Splitting a dessert between four people can help you avoid a lot of damage and make meals more fun for everyone. |
image by: Stuart Miles / freedigitalphotos.net |
Don’t be afraid to ask. This might be the simplest tip of them all and yet so many people fail to use it. Don't hesitate to ask a server, or a manager, about the nutritious background of the food. It is your right as a customer to ask about the product you are paying for. Even if they don’t know the exact numbers they can still recommend a good dish for you. Don’t be afraid to ask, it's your health we're talking about here. |
10 Ways to Get the Metabolism of a 20-Year-Old...
Here are 10 excellent tips that'll boost your metabolism, helping you shed plenty of pounds, and keep them off for good!
Splitting Headache? Eat Any of These 9 Foods
Forget reaching for the medicine cabinet if you have a headache - try consuming any of the 9 foods and you'll be well on your way to feeling better.
12 Natural Remedies to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a very common ailment that some 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with every year. Prevent it by including these foods in your diet.
What You Eat Before Bed Has Great Importance...
There's nothing wrong with eating something before going to bed, but it pays to know which foods will help you sleep and which you should avoid at all costs.
Implement These Dietary Changes and Feel Better Today
These dietary changes are really easy to make, and you'll be feeling like a brand new you in no time at all. Find out more about these 12 simple changes.
6 Nutrition Tips From Experts to Ensure Better Sleep
Making a few tweaks in your eating habits could do wonders for the quality of your sleep, according to experts.
Fix Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries & Impingement
A deeper look into why addressing scapular dysfunction can be a game-changer and how you can effectively fix these common shoulder ailments once and for all.
Forget Olive Oil, it's the Leaves Where the Power Lies
Olives and olive oil are on everyone's shopping lists. But what about olive leaves? Here we list 10 health benefits to be had from olive leaf extract.
7 Things Stress Does to Everybody, Without Exception
Stress is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with in modern life. Here are 7 recent conclusions about stress you should know about.
14 Super Foods that Fight to Prevent Cancer
These super foods, taken daily, have been proven to fight to free your body from the risk of cancer.
10 Healing Scents That Can Do Wonders for Body and Mind
Smell evokes memories and happy memories but there’s more to scent than nostalgia. Smell offers many benefits for your body and mind.
9 Effective Treatments for Stiff and Sore Muscles
Have you ever woken up in the morning and stretched only to feel neck or shoulder pain? here's how you treat and prevent it.
WARNING: Who Shouldn't Consume Turmeric? Find Out Here
Discover more about who shouldn't consume turmeric or curcumin in this video:
9 Foods That Will Protect Your Skin From the Sun
These 9 foods each contributes something to the fight between your skin and the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Can Aging Be Cured in Your Lifetime? It May Be So...
Could there be a cure for aging? Watch this video and find out!
4 EASY Dizziness Exercises for Home Vestibular Rehab
Treat dizziness, vertigo, and motion sensitivity at home with these exercises.
9 Things Your Fingernails Can Tell You About Your Health
This video delves into nine revealing aspects of your fingernails that could signal important information about your health.
Sciatica Back and Leg Pain - 5 Pain Relieving Exercises
Flareups are common for sciatica, but they can be managed and reduced with the help of specific exercises and stretches.
Prevent Alzheimer’s by Using These Expert Techniques
Listen to this expert's views on techniques that the elderly can use to enhance their brain's health.
The Added Benefits of Walking No One Told You Before
We all know walking is good for our health. But we bet you didn’t know about these little-known benefits of the activity.
Heart Arrhythmia: What is it and How to Live With It
In this video, we'll explain what arrhythmias are, their different types, and how to manage them.
Feeling ConstantlyTired? You May Suffer From Chronic Fatigue
Did you know that millions of people suffer from Chronic Fatigue annually? Read about the symptoms and treatments for this plaguing condition.
25 Things About the Human Eye That Will Surprise You
Ophthalmologist Ashley Brissette, MD answers common eye-related questions for you.
Did This Technique Just Kill 99% of Cancer Cells?
This revolutionary method, employing the power of vibrating molecules, heralds a new dawn in the fight against cancer, offering hope for a more efficient and less invasive approach to treatment.
Ever Heard of Sorghum? Hint: it's Something You Eat
In this article, we will learn about sorghum, an ancient wild grain compatible with gluten-free and diabetic diets.
5 Common Myths About Sugar We Must Stop Believing
In this video, we discover the truth behind 5 of the most common myths about sugar.
The Secrets to Getting More Oxygen in Your Cells
The best (and easiest) exercises for better breathing.
Say Goodbye to Your Double Chin with These 5 Exercises
These 5 exercises will help give your chin a tighter, younger, and healthier look, and eventually to help you get rid of a double chin all together.
How Much Fruit is TOO Much for Your Health?
Fruits are healthy, but is there a thing as eating too much of them? Watch out for these signs.
How to Release a Tight Lower Back in Less Than a MINUTE
If you get a tight back often, try this series of exercises for instant relief.
Gasp! 17 Surprising Facts About Your Lungs You Never Knew
Watch pulmonologist Dr. Ravi Kalhan answer some really interesting questions about our lungs.
How to Treat Hand Pain that Won't Go Away
Hand pain can be mysterious and annoying as heck. We use our hands all the time and it's hard to tell sometimes why we're hurting and what to do about it as we have to continue using them. This video will give you some tips on treating this pain.
3 Ways to Get Rid of Heartburn WITHOUT Using Antacids
Struggling with acidity and heartburn issues? These tips will help.
What You Should & Shouldn't Eat With a Stomach Ache
Not sure what you should and shouldn't eat with an upset stomach? This video has all the answers!
Hemorrhoids: How to Treat Them the Natural Way
In this article you will find out what are the causes of the problem, what are its symptoms, how to alleviate it in natural ways as well as other ways to deal with its symptoms.
Study Shows: Microplastics Found in Scary Places...
A subsequent study in Hawai'i, analyzing donated placentas from 2006 to 2021, underscored a significant rise in plastic contamination over time.
9 Effective Ways to Make Your Nausea Go Away
Nausea is that unpleasant feeling of discomfort inside your stomach, oftentimes leading to vomiting. Use one of these natural methods to stop it.
Make Your Dry Cough Disappear With These Handy Tips
A dry cough can be incredibly unpleasant and annoying, but you don't have to suffer for days on end until it clears. Here are 5 tips for getting rid of one.
9 Ways You Can Treat Fungal Infections at Home
If you suffer from some of these symptoms, there are a number of home remedies that can easily treat fungal infections.
3 Easy Exercises to Alleviate Light-Headedness
If you're feeling dizzy or out of balance, these three exercises will help alleviate your symptoms.
Every Senior Must Do These Simple Seated Exercises
Seniors will find this video extremely helpful.
Owning a Cat Can Do Wonders For Your Health!
Pet ownership, especially cat ownership, can improve the quality of a person's life. Here are 10 health benefits of owning a cat.
Doctors Explain: 2 Powerful Tools in Dealing With Anxiety
A renowned doctor equips you with not one, but two phenomenal tools to effectively manage and control your stress.
Doing This for 5 Minutes Can Lower Your Blood Pressure!
These simple and effective exercises will help lower your blood pressure almost immediately.
10 Instant Self-Checks Worth Performing Regularly at Home
Our body can give certain signs we don't always realize are indications of a bad health or disease - learn 10 brilliant ways of checking out your body for these signs regularly from home.
Reduce Intestinal Inflammation with This Amazing Drink
Watch this video to know about a potent juice that can help reduce intestinal inflammation.
I Never Knew That Cassia Cinnamon Is Poisonous!
Not all cinnamon is good for you. Shockingly, most of the cheap cinnamon, cassia, can cause liver damage. Here's how to avoid it.