Healthy Eating Is Important When Dining Out

When you can’t cook your own meal, you can still enjoy the convenience of eating out without abandoning the tips for healthy eating that you apply at home. Make better food choices by looking for healthier menu options. Healthy eating is important at every stage of your life. To honor your commitment to eating and drinking healthier even though you’re dining out, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and salt.

There are simple steps you can take that will allow you to stick to your commitment for healthy eating while still being able to socialize over a delicious meal. You can start by picking a restaurant that is better suited to your menu plan. Speak up. Restaurants today honor all sorts of requests from a more health-conscious diner. Order you favorite foods grilled, baked, broiled, or steamed. Select dishes prepared in little olive oil instead of butter.

Studies have shown the smell of food can spark the metabolic process. Making a reservation can help you reduce wait time and limit last minute decision making. Try these tips for making smarter food choices:

• Plan in Advance – If you get to pick the restaurant where you plan to eat out, you should select one that has health-conscious options for customers who choose to eat well. Look for preparations without deep frying or heavy cream and butter.
• Stay Hydrated – As long as you take it slowly, drinking water before or during your meal has no known digestive downsides. Water is absorbed in the stomach fairly quickly and does not hamper enzyme activity or interfere with digestion of food.
• Ask for Substitutions – If you hate being “that person” when ordering at restaurant, excuse yourself from the table and explain to the server that you truly appreciate the kitchen’s effort to prepare a healthier dish.
• Order Colorful Foods – When dining out, try to eat the rainbow with a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables. A broad selection provides foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that benefit different aspects of your health.

Eating away from home should be an enjoyable experience and not something you should fear. If you do your homework, ask the right questions, and make good food decisions, it will work out just fine. When it comes to ordering appetizers, don’t assume soups and salads to be the healthiest option. Either can be loaded with fats, sodium, and sugars, whereas fresh crab-stuffed mushrooms may be a much healthier option.

Saving your appetite for dining out may result in overeating. During this stressful time of year, studies have shown that people who eat a healthy breakfast and lunch tend to consume fewer total calories. Our team of experienced MRC coaches will be there to support you every step of the way as you work to establish healthy eating habits to follow when preparing meals in your kitchen or dining out with friends and family. Get started today!.