How to Make Eating Out Fit Your Menu Plan

Also, see MRC Nutritional Guide to Eating Out.

Eating out is a great way to catch up with friends and not have a sink full of dirty dishes. Nonetheless, you have to use caution as most restaurants care more about making their dishes taste good than they do about your health. Either way, making healthy choices can help you fit restaurant meals into your overall menu plan by following these tips:

• Choose Nature's Beverage - Nothing beats water for maintaining good health. It is calorie-free and fat-free to take care of all your hydration needs. Sparkling water is okay but avoid sugar-laden vitamin waters as they contain hidden calories.
• Opt for Whole Grains - Everyone knows that eating too much bread is not good for managing one's weight. However, entrées and sides made from whole grains, such as quinoa, brown rice or barley provide a healthier alternative.
• 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.
• Be Cautious of Side Dishes - You can order a healthy entrée and kill your meal with a poor choice of sides. Anything fried would be suspect, so ditch the fries and onion rings and opt for fresh fruit and veggies instead.
• 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 fine cuisine sometimes is served in smaller portions.

For many people, eating out is something they can't avoid. With the average person eating out multiple times each week, eating healthier at restaurants is becoming more important these days. Instead of worrying about how to get out of an invitation, do your homework and figure out what to avoid beforehand.

____________________________

Interested in finding the healthiest menu options from your favorite restaurants? 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.