Introduction
Eating out can be a great way to socialize and enjoy a delicious meal, but it can also be a challenge to maintain a healthy diet. Fortunately, there are some simple strategies you can use to dine out and still lose weight. In this article, we’ll discuss four ways to dine out and still lose weight, including choosing healthier options, avoiding processed foods, eating smaller portions, and being mindful of your beverage choices. With these tips, you can enjoy eating out without compromising your health goals.
4 Ways To Dine Out and Still Lose Weight
Eating out can be a challenge when you’re trying to lose weight. But it doesn’t have to be! With a few simple tips, you can enjoy a delicious meal out and still stay on track with your weight loss goals. Here are four ways to dine out and still lose weight:
1. Choose Lean Protein
When you’re dining out, opt for lean proteins like grilled chicken, fish, or lean cuts of beef. These proteins are lower in fat and calories than other options like fried chicken or steak. Plus, they’re packed with essential nutrients like iron and zinc.
2. Ask for Sauces and Dressings on the Side
Sauces and dressings can add a lot of extra calories to your meal. Ask for them on the side so you can control how much you’re eating. You can also opt for healthier options like salsa, hummus, or Greek yogurt.
3. Skip the Bread Basket
Bread is often served before the meal, but it can add a lot of extra calories and carbs. Skip the bread basket and opt for a salad or soup instead. This will help you fill up on healthier options and save room for your main course.
4. Share a Meal
If you’re dining out with friends or family, consider sharing a meal. This way, you can still enjoy a delicious meal without overindulging. Plus, you’ll save money and calories!
Eating out doesn’t have to derail your weight loss goals. With these four tips, you can enjoy a delicious meal out and still stay on track with your weight loss journey.
When you’re tired of cooking at home a night out sounds ideal. Whether you’re trying something new or going to sit down at one of your favorite restaurants, dining out can be needed once in a while. However, when you’re trying to lose weight, a night out sounds more like a glutinous activity than a treat.
If you’re watching your weight, that shouldn’t stop you from being able to go out and enjoy a meal at a restaurant with friends and family. It just means you have to be more careful about what you eat and how much you eat. We spoke with Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, a nutritionist in private practice, and a member of our Medical Expert Board, to give us the scoop on how we can dine out and still lose weight. Read on to see how to go about it. Then, for more on dining out, check out The #1 Worst Thing to Order at The Cheesecake Factory, Says Dietitian.
It is possible to go to a restaurant and order a bowl of pasta when you’re trying to lose weight. However, although delicious, try not to eat it all in one sitting. Instead, try to separate it with some other filling yet healthier options.
“Restaurant portions are huge, so it pays to split an entree and order an extra salad and a side of vegetables to share,” says Young.
Plus, you get to have leftovers to eat the next day. That’s an extra perk!
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When you go out to eat with friends and/or family, it may sometimes feel like a big reunion or celebration. Typically speaking, this will call for some alcoholic drinks, with a cheers to your time together.
“If you’re trying to lose weight, it really helps to watch the alcohol intake,” says Young. “And, if you are drinking, drink with a meal.”
If you’re not drinking alcohol, you still want to make sure your drink option is on the healthier side.
“Limit drinks with sodas and sugary syrups,” suggests Young.
Did you ever purposefully eat less throughout the day knowing you were going to eat out and have a big meal? Well, it’s time to put that habit to rest.
“We are often famished when we arrive at the restaurant,” shares Young. “Eating a healthy snack an hour or two before heading out helps.”
Skipping meals has also been linked to weight gain, according to research posted in the Nutrients journal. Therefore, it’s important to eat every meal and to not starve yourself.
One of the first things the waiters and waitresses put down on your table is a bread basket. And although it’s tempting, there are better options when you dine out to lose weight.
“Instead of eating the entire bread basket, which we often do when we sit down in the restaurant and wait for our main dish to arrive, order a healthy appetizer,” says Young.
Young suggests enjoying a salad with mixed vegetables or a vegetable-based soup. Vegetables can help keep you fuller longer, which is great when trying not to overeat and trying to lose weight.
Kayla Garritano