Stick to Your Plan and Opt for Healthier Choices When Eating Out

Also, see MRC Nutritional Guide to Eating Out.

When it is time to eat out, there are numerous options to soggy fast food. Although bad choices can live on the fanciest of menus, most restaurants have gotten on board and offer healthy options. Eating out can be a nice treat or convenient option when you find yourself short on time. However, fat, calories, sugar and sodium can add up quickly, so use these tips to make healthier choices the next you dine out:

• Choose Your Drink Wisely - Choose water or other drinks without added sugars or extra fat to complement your meal. It's best to avoid alcohol when eating; however, if you do drink the limit should be one.
• Order Healthy Sides - Always balance your meal by ordering healthy side dishes, such as salad, fruit, fresh stemmed veggies or salsa. This will boost the nutritional value of your entrée without disproportionally raising the calorie count.
• Ask for Your Sauce on the Side - Always ask for your sauce, gravy, toppings or condiments to be placed on the side and use sparingly. These add tons of undesired calories to your meal.
• Don't Hesitate to Substitute - Many restaurants honor requests to help you meet your nutritional needs, so don't hesitate to ask. A side salad with a weight-friendly vinaigrette dressing on the side is a smart choice, so you can control the portion side.
• Keep Portions Small - In Spanish cuisine, tapas are a wide variety of dishes served on small plates. Other types of restaurants adopted the concept and sometimes their cuisine is available in smaller portions.

It is important to think about how a meal fits into your overall weight management program. There will be times when you want to eat your favorite food for pleasure and not worry. Watching a sizzling piece of meat pass by your table may be tempting. Nonetheless, remember that fattier cuts of meat sacrifice fat grams for flavor. Stick to your plan and opt for chicken, seafood or a vegetable-based entrée.

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Most restaurant meals were not created to be weight loss friendly and some are simply unhealthy. 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.