Dieting Tips for Eating Out

Dieting is never really fun. It generally involves giving up certain foods that we all love even though they may be completely unhealthy for our bodies. Even if we are not giving them up entirely, we are generally cutting back on them. While dieting is certainly healthy (in most cases where it is needed), it can also be a source of constant frustration as dieters struggle with losing weight and regaining it. For anyone who is going on a diet, holidays and dining outside of the home are both periods of what they would generally consider "failure" due to the amount of calories often ingested. However, dining out does not have to put a huge dent on your dieting plans; instead, by following these few tips, you can often maintain your diet while enjoying a meal with your friends in a restaurant.

1) Realize that you don't have to finish your meal right then and there. While it is always good to be sure not to waste anything, it is also important not to overeat just for the sake of avoiding waste. Go ahead and request a carry-out box and enjoy the other half of your meal at a latter time. This way you are still getting your "money's worth" out of your dining experience, but you are also avoiding the temptation to scarf down everything in front of you. Most restaurant sized portions of food are really enough to serve two people anyways, so this method is perfect.

2) Dine at restaurants where healthier choices are readily available. Try places like Sweet Tomato or Soup Plantation, where there is a wide selection of vegetables and fruits to fill up on instead of heavier items like bread rolls. You'll still be eating out, but you will also be sticking with health-conscious eating choices. Other restaurants such as Applebees may have a "low carb" menu, for anyone who is watching their weight. These menu selections are delicious and a great alternative to the regular menu, often available for even lower prices. If there are no healthier sized portions available at your restaurant, ask your waiter if it would be possible to order a "half sized" portion of your meal choice. Many restaurants are willing to work with their customer's needs, so you really have nothing to lose.

3) If your meal comes with complementary dinner rolls or breads before the meal, try to limit your intake of these. Often it is very easy to fill up on these fattening rolls with butter because you are so hungry before your meal; instead, wait until whatever you have ordered has arrived. This way you will feel freer and less guilty when consuming your own meal, as you will have eaten less preliminary calories.

4) Finally, when ordering a salad, always ask for your dressing to be brought in a side container. Dressing can be extremely fattening, and the amount of dressing usually served on a salad is far more than needed to make the vegetables taste more palatable. By ordering it on the side, you can make sure that you only use just enough dressing and not too much, thus reducing your potential calorie intake.