Eating Out? Healthier Options Are Available at Popular Places

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. Although it is true that fast food is often high in sodium, fat and carbohydrates than it should be, healthier options are available at the most popular places to eat. However, if you follow these tips, you can avoid making the costlier mistakes:

• Fill Your Plate with Veggies - Certain dishes like kabobs or stir-fries usually contain more vegetables and are filled with satisfying flavors. For your side, select a fresh seasonal fruit cup.
• Avoid Trendy Drinks - You may feel trendy ordering a bottle of vitamin-infused water when dining out. Nonetheless, that brightly hued glass of H2O consists of vitamins added to sugar water with food coloring and is loaded with hidden calories.
• Have It Your Way - If you dine out a lot, there may be times you don't care for the healthier options listed on the menu. You can always ask to combine healthy items from different dishes or simply ask that the kitchen prepare a dish in a healthier way.
• 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.
• Select Smaller Meals - In today's weight-conscious world, ordering an appetizer or healthy side dish instead of a regular entrée is common practice. You can still enjoy eating out because these are usually served on smaller plates in smaller amounts.

Eating at a fancy sit-down restaurant does not necessarily mean you're making a healthier decision. Many menu options aren't much healthier than their fast food counterpart. Nonetheless, most restaurants, fast food franchises and food trucks offer healthy options with menu items that are better for you. Add a splash of will power and make good menu choices, and you can enjoy a guilt-free meal.

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Want to learn more about eating out at some of the most popular restaurants and food franchises? 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.