How to Eat Healthy When You’re Eating Out

Going out for dinner is one of my favorite things to do with family and friends. But it can be hard to stick to a healthy eating plan when you’re out at a restaurant with a million different options. So today I have some tips for how to eat healthy when you’re eating out.

• Check the Menu - If you know where you’re eating ahead of time, try to check the menu ahead of time. This will stop you from becoming overwhelmed and ordering something you know isn’t healthy.
  
  
• Plan in Advance - If you know you’re eating out, try to portion your other meals so their a little smaller or a little healthier. For example, if I know I’m going to one of my favorite Italian restaurants for dinner, I’ll eat a light salad for lunch so I can order my favorite pasta without feeling guilty.
  
  
• Go Plain - One of the hardest things about eating light at a restaurants is that you never know exactly what went into what you’re eating. The dressing on the chicken could be filled with oil or the sauce you’re veggies are in could be butter based. You could be packing in calories without even realizing it. Make an effort to order something very plain like grilled chicken. Or, order the sauce or dressing on the side so you can pour only a little bit on.
  
  
• Skip the Appetizer - I love a good appetizer as much as the next person, but I can never finish an appetizer + a main course. And when I end up ordering both, I always eat a ton more than I mean too. So I say skip the appetizer. If you simply must get one, order 2 appetizers - one as an appetizer and one to come as your main meal. You’ll still get to try a lot but the portions won’t be huge.
  
  
• Portion Control- Restaurant portions are huge. Ask the server for an extra plate right at the beginning of the meal. Then as soon as your food comes (after you take your #foodstagrams of course), put some of it on the separate plate. Only eat what was on the original plate and then take the rest home. This will limit your portion and give you an extra meal.
  
  
• Split it Up - When you’re with a group of people, suggest splitting a few things. This way you’ll be able to sample everything and you’re less likely to overeat if you don’t have your own full plate in front of you.
  
  
• You Will Come Back - The number one thing to remember - (most likely) you will be able to come back to this restaurant. Do not feel like you need to order a million different things in order to try everything
  
  

That said…

• Just Fucking Eat It - Order the spectacular 4 course meal. Or get the dessert with their famous whipped cream. Just do it - I promise you won’t regret it. Especially if you’re at a place you may not be able to come back to, let yourself indulge sometimes. I feel like we spend way too much time concerned with counting calories and watching what we eat, sometimes just need to live a little and indulge.

So, these are my ideas for how to eat healthy when you’re eating out. Like I said, I love going out to eat but I totally understand how hard it can be. Let me know any other tips down below, I’d love to hear them.

XOXO,

Gloss