Going out to eat is often an easy choice. You skip the hassle of gathering ingredients and putting together a fancy meal; instead, you can just place an order and indulge in a burst of flavors. However, when dining out, we typically prioritize taste over nutrition, often opting for the delicious but unhealthy options. If avoiding junk food is a challenge for you, here are five tips to help you make healthier choices when dining out.
Check the Ingredients Before the Photos
Meal names often sound appealing and the enticing photos next to them can easily sway your decision. However, remember that these images might not accurately represent what you’ll get. Since we naturally gravitate towards visually appealing choices, this can undermine your efforts to eat healthily. To avoid this, especially if you’re focused on improving your diet, ignore the photos. Instead, take your time to read through the ingredients of the meal that catches your eye. If a detailed list isn’t available, don’t hesitate to ask the waiter or cook for more information—remember, it’s their job to help you.
Skip the Starch
When dining out or ordering in, don’t forget that starchy foods can be your worst enemy, especially those rich in carbs. Although carbs and starches aren’t exactly the same, they both can derail your diet. Most reputable restaurants offer non-starchy vegetables as alternatives to accompany protein-rich meals. This means you can swap out potatoes, rice, or bread for mixed greens, broccoli, asparagus, or eggplant. This swap can fulfill your hunger without leaving you feeling sluggish afterward, making it a win-win situation.
Healthier Cocktails and Catering Options Exist
Healthy eating isn’t just a trend; even well-known fast food chains are catching on to this. That’s why many respected catering companies now offer healthier cocktail and snack options, especially in places like NYC. These menus, which once focused more on spicy flavors and flashy presentations than on ingredients, now feature fresh and locally-sourced items. By exploring online, you can find these healthier options, expanding your dining possibilities.
Avoid Desserts
Building healthier dining habits means saying no to desserts. There’s no way around it—just like with starches, you need to cut them out. Combining carbs with sugary desserts is the worst possible combination, leading to stubborn fat and a lingering feeling of tiredness after a brief energy spike. While people often look for tricks to avoid desserts, it ultimately comes down to willpower. The more you indulge in the carb-sugar combo, the harder it will be to resist next time. Practice saying no and perhaps treat yourself to something healthier like an apple or some strawberries a couple of hours later.
Price Isn’t Always a Factor
When eating out, price doesn’t often impact our choices as we tend to stick to favorite spots and meals that please our senses. Unfortunately, unhealthy foods are often more enticing. However, healthier options are sometimes cheaper or similarly priced to less healthy meals. The challenge is in breaking the habit and opting for meals that help with digestion and support a healthier lifestyle.