The weekend is upon us and with that comes lots of FOOD! Food brings us together and there is nothing wrong with going out and enjoying a nice meal but this meal doesn't have to ruin your weight loss progress. Here are a couple tips on how to survive a restaurant without sabotaging your "diet" ( healthy lifestyle).
1. PLAN ahead!
Most of the time we know where we are going to dinner before we get there! So plan ahead!! Many restaurants have gotten so incredibly good at posting their menus nutritional values online and even on their actual menus at the restaurant! Most have even gone a step further and added a lighter healthier options menu! YAY! You can look it up online before you go to the restaurant or even on your phone while driving TO the restaurant! It is easy and convenient and really will make you feel empowered while ordering, knowing you are making the right choices!
If you can't find the nutritional value on the restaurant web site check these out:
http://www.nutritionix.com/restaurants
http://caloriecount.about.com/restaurants-mc1
And even the myfitnesspal app.
All of those sources are really INCREDIBLE! Make them your favorites on your browsers and research them often! You'd be surprised at some of the nutritional value of the foods you love, and relieved that you are informed enough to make better choices!
2. Don't go HUNGRY!
What??? Don't go hungry to a restaurant??!! How does that work?
What I mean by that is don't go starving! To the point that you are so hungry you don't care what you eat and everything sounds SO amazing and you start dipping into all the things you promised you were going to avoid! Ever heard of the "Don't go grocery shopping hungry" modo because your bill will be doubled from getting everything you WISH you were eating... Same concept here! Be prepared! Heck! Have a snack before going! Eat an apple or something light that will satisfy your hunger so you aren't blinded by it!
3. DON'T DRINK your calories!
Again why waste 140 calories on a soda, that is just basically sugar and water! Replace it with a water, 0 calories, and well the best thing on the planet for you essentially! Or even an unsweetened tea of some sort! If you absolutely must have a drink again, PORTION CONTROL applies to drinks as well! Limit yourself to one! And then drink water the rest of the time!
4. STEP AWAY from the bread basket!
Just don't do it! There is nothing good coming out of that bread basket, well, let me rephrase that nothing good for you,your body and weight loss goal that is, because let's face it, there is LOTS of good stuff in that bread basket, extra delicious tempting stuff actually! But just try and avoid it!
Here is a good example. A bread stick from the Olive Garden, yeah you know, the ultra delicious ones, those are 140 calories... A PIECE! Not to mention about 26 carbs. But you know what, beside the calories?? How does it make you feel?? Does it make you feel full? NOPE! It makes you crave another! Why not take those calories and put them to good use with a side salad at typically 150 calories per serving. Leaving you much more satisfied and feeling better!
5. PORTION CONTROL!
That extra large bowl of pasta they hand you at a restaurant is NOT a regular portion! It's double, triple the regular amount you should be eating! Try slowing down while eating, take lots of sips of water in between and try to take half or some home. THIS is the hardest part of eating out for me! Because I want to eat it all!!!!! That's why I order from the light menu. 1. I feel better about what I am eating. 2. I can eat the ENTIRE PORTION and not feel guilty 3. I am full and not tempted for dessert... well, have a better handle of the temptation at least! haha
6. SKIP DESSERT!
Dessert is a big down fall to going out! Some how we feel the meal isn't complete without having something sweet! SKIP it, if you can! But ladies and gentlemen, I am a realist! I know we can't live our lives feeling deprived! If you feel you really want dessert. Get dessert, share it! With the whole table, take half home, try to portion out what they give you! Again PORTION control is key!
TADA!!!
This may sound a bit daunting but TRY them! You'd be amazed at how empowered you feel after making the choice to stick to your goal of healthy living and how good your body will feel after!
I really do hope these tips help you this weekend and every weekend!!!
PLEASE SHARE! COMMENT AND FOLLOW!!!!
Thank you all!!
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