Reconnect with Friends Over Healthy Food Choices

Regardless of your age, eating healthy is important for living well. When deciding what to eat or drink at a restaurant, choose options that are full of nutrients and limit added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Let’s be real. Most people do not eat enough vegetables. Since they contain fewer calories and have lots of healthy fiber and nutrients, selecting vegetable dishes and swapping a salad or veggies for a less healthy side can help you manage your intake.

In a USDA survey, eating out was associated with eating twenty-five percent fewer servings of fruits, whole grains, leafy greens, and dark orange vegetables. Mindfulness when ordering can eliminate excess calorie burden by choosing healthier food options. No way that you should have to worry about dining out with friends and family. It is a great way to reconnect over a good food. That said, it is important to not fall into the trap of mindless or distracted eating.

You can avoid a lot of social pressure when ordering by being the first person at the table to make your food choices. Moreover, play it safe and embrace these tips for eating healthy:

• Japanese – Eating at a Japanese restaurant can be tricky. Picking the right sauces can be crucial. Pick teppanyaki dishes cooked on an iron griddle over teriyaki where the sauce can contain a lot of added sugar.
• Mexican – When you’re eating Mexican food, enchiladas are typically loaded with saturated fat and refine carbohydrates and should be avoided. Grilled lean proteins and vegetables with soft tacos and black beans are better options for eating healthy.
• Chinese – Stir-fried shrimp, chicken, and vegetables with steamed brown rice is eating healthy at a Chinese restaurant. Deep fried dishes like orange beef or fried egg rolls have lots of fat.
• Indian – Avoid samosas. They are appetizing but do not contain healthy calories and are deep fried. Indian breads (naan) are often stuffed with potatoes or coconut and topped with lots of butter.
• Italian – On most menus at Italian restaurants there is whole section devoted to healthier options for a variety of dietary needs. Unfortunately, the unlimited breadsticks are most diners Waterloo.

For some people, eating out is something they can’t avoid but for everyone eating out need not be seen as an opportunity to overindulge. Making healthy choices will allow you to fit a meal into your menu plan. Don't assume you're limited to exactly what you see on a restaurant's menu. Most chefs are more than happy to prepare a dish to suit your specific dietary needs. Studies suggest that eating more small meals is a much better way of controlling hunger and managing weight gain.

When dining out, eat smaller portions slowly can provide adequate nutrition so that hunger is not a problem. Eating healthier is a primary focus at Metabolic Research Center to ensure you find the balance that’s right for your body. Each menu plan is designed specifically to maximize your success for living well. Click Get Started to find the center nearest you.