Dining Out? Always Get Sauced on the Side

Also, see MRC Nutritional Guide to Eating Out.

Do you know the best foods to order when dining out? Listed below are tips for eating out without destroying your diet. During the winter months when you're hungry but only have a few minutes, fast food may be the quickest solution. Healthier fast food options are also out there but avoid these temptations:

• Avoid Liquid Calories - Don't lose the benefits of eating healthier by choosing the wrong drink at mealtime. Always ask for a glass water, if you need extra liquid choose unsweetened tea, hot tea, or other drinks that do not contain added sugars.
• Savor a Healthy Salad - Salads have evolved in all types of restaurants from an appetizer to a suitable entrée. Eating a fresh salad packed with vegetables will help eliminate hunger pangs quicker. But, ask for the dressing on the side, so you control the portion size.
• Get Sauced on the Side - Sauces, gravy, and condiments can be filled with unwanted calories, sugars and salts. Ask for these on the side and only use enough to add some of their unique flavor.
• Read the Menu - Added sugars and fats can hide in many places, so always beware of "sugar free" and "fat free" options. They can be just as unhealthy as regular sugar or butter, if not more so. When in doubt, ask how a dish is prepared and seasoned.
• Avoid the "Low- Farce" - Don't be fooled by dishes that are listed as low-calorie, low-fat, low-sodium or low-sugar, unless it meets your specific dietary need. A key to healthy eating out revolves around selecting menu items with the right balance of macronutrients.

Eating at a fancy sit-down restaurant doesn't necessarily mean you're making a healthier decision. Many menu options are not much healthier than their fast food counterpart. If you are trying to lose weight or working hard to maintain a goal weight, eating out can expose you to all sorts of temptations. However, your plan for eating and living healthier doesn't have to go up in smoke. Follow the tips above and make good menu choices for a guilt-free experience.

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In our fast paced society, eating out is almost inevitable and something that should be enjoyed. Download the Tips For Eating Out guidelines from the National Institute of Health and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for additional advice on eating at franchise food chains.