Eight Simple Tips to Eating Out While on a Diet

Admittedly, it is difficult to eat out when you are on a diet. The selections, the portions, the food. It all tastes and looks so good. How do you say yes to your friends when they want to go out when you have five more pounds to lose?

Here are eight simple tips to guide you when you are eating out to help you make sure you stay on your diet.

1. Plan ahead. It is very important to be aware of what you are eating when you want to lose weight. Know where you are going and have a plan as to what you are going to order. And, most importantly, stick to it.

2. Make sure you eat during the day before the evening meal out. When you starve yourself in anticipation of cheating, you are sure to overdo it. Just eat a little less to save calories for the night out.

3. Pass on the bread or any other pre-meal item - chips and salsa, bruschetta, etc. - your server may bring to the table. If you order an entree, skip the appetizer. If you badly desire an appetizer, see Tip Number Seven.

4. Always order the salad, and ask for the dressing on the side. The salad will help fill you up so you eat less of the main meal. Instead of pouring the dressing all over the salad, use your fork to dip into the dressing before dipping it into the greens. You would be amazed at the amount of dressing left over at the end, and saved up to two hundred calories. You can also ask for oil and vinegar and just add vinegar to your salad for flavor. Balsamic Vinegar is fantastic and calorie free, so ask your server if they have it.

5. Because of our obsession with weight, many restaurants now offer healthy calorie controlled options, including Applebees, Chili's and TGI Fridays. Chili's even has the calorie content of their healthier food to help you keep track.

6. Like I said at the beginning, plan ahead. Order what you want, but plan to eat only half. If you lack self control, when your server brings your meal ask for an additional plate and cut your meal in half before you begin eating. Take the extra plate home and eat it the next day. Now you get to enjoy your delicious restaurant meal twice.

7. If cutting your meal in half doesn't work, order an appetizer as your main course. They tend to be smaller in portion and easier to control for the calorie conscious. Appetizers such as the veggies and dip, quesadilla, (without the sour cream, but you may order extra salsa).

8. If your friends like to indulge in dessert, suggest sharing. Have only a few spoonfuls to feel as though you are part of the group, then let them finish.

I hope you enjoyed my eight simple tips to eating out while on a diet. During the winter months, when we tend to get less exercise, it is more important than ever to watch those calories.