Not only does eating out save you on the washing up, but it also provides a great opportunity to socialize. Unfortunately, if you’re on a health kick, eating out can very quickly switch from feeling like a treat to being some kind of punishment. You might even end up refusing dinner invites because you don’t know what you’ll eat. But there’s no need to miss out just because you’re looking after your health.
In reality, there are plenty of ways to eat healthy while you’re out, starting with choosing the right restaurants. Something like a plant-based restaurant, for example, will offer solely veg-based stuff that you can enjoy guilt-free. Equally, the reduced chemicals and preservatives used in something like halal food can make for much healthier meal options. Even in these cases, though, the temptation that comes with eating out can be daunting. That’s why we’ve put together a sure-fire guide to easily find the healthiest option on the menu every time.
# 1 – Check out the menu in advance
If you’ve got healthy eating on your mind, seeing a restaurant menu for the first time when you’re there and chatting with whoever you’re with can be stressful. The chances are that your mind will automatically drift to the unhealthy stuff, and you’ll feel unable to see any better options. Luckily, most restaurants now offer their menus online, and taking a look in advance is a great way to give you time to find healthier options. In many cases, you’ll even be able to view nutritional information, giving you the time, and the peace of mind, to settle on precisely the right thing to fit your diet plan.
# 2 – Consider ‘light bites’ or ‘sides’
Most restaurants now offer light bites or at least sides that can provide a healthier option than any main menu item. By looking for these straight away, you save yourself from having to trawl through a menu of things that you shouldn’t really order. Plus, by ordering a couple of sides like nachos, veg dishes, or mixed grains, you can easily make a filling and completely healthy main meal for yourself. Just ask for a spare plate to pair your sides together.
# 3 – Don’t be afraid to customize
Additions like melted cheese and salad dressing can make any meal seem out of reach when you’re trying to lose weight, but you can also simplify your quest for healthy food when you’re out by simply asking for customizations. Any reputable restaurant will be willing to do things like leave off salad dressing or remove cheese from a dish, and these changes can make even a decadent meal so much healthier. That way, you needn’t worry about trawling through the menu, but can instead enjoy a healthy twist on the dishes you’ve always loved.
Everyone deserves to enjoy a good meal out. Make sure that it doesn’t compromise your health kick by finding the healthiest option on any menu with these simple tips.
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