Good Foods Fit Any Balanced Menu Plan

Regardless of your level of commitment to living well, it is not realistic to assume that you will never eat out again. If you’ve vowed to eat the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, eating healthy is a matter of moderation. When you explain you have a need to eat healthy, ordering appetizer-sized entrees and entrée-sized veggie portions will help, and you likely will not be charged extra for avoiding unwanted fat and calories.

Restaurants are used to patrons with dietary restrictions. Enlist the help of your wait staff to find out how a menu item is prepared and what options you might have. Menus typically list partial ingredients and often don’t mentioned methods of preparation. Eating out is one of America’s great past times. Nonetheless, it can be fun and relaxing without causing you to abandon plans for eating healthy and living well.

If you are just getting back to dining out, you will learn from every situation and be more prepared when you arrive at the restaurant. Here’s to tricks for when you are distracted and need to order:

• Eating Breakfast Out – Breakfast is the best meal for consuming healthy carbs. Choose a toasted slice of whole grain, sourdough, or rye bread and avoid buttery biscuits (with or without syrup).
• Eating Out at Lunch – Salads have become a mainstay of many lunchtime menus and rightfully so. The right ingredients of water-filled vegetables, fresh berries, leafy greens, and nuts can satisfy your taste buds and keep you satiated.
• Eating Out at Dinner – When you eat out at dinner, never eat until you are full. If so, you are likely going to eat more food than your body needs. Make it a rule that you stop eating once you notice feelings of being satisfied and ask your server for a doggy bag.

With working late and after school activities, sometimes cooking at home just isn't the best option. When you eat out during the holidays, don’t hesitate to ask your server for help in selecting healthy options. When you’re eating at a new restaurant, salads are a great choice as it is hard to hide bad ingredients. Nonetheless, you should still avoid calorie-filled dressings by opting for a citrus-based vinaigrette instead.

At Metabolic Research Center, we will discuss any special circumstances you are facing, such as social events or emotional triggers, and provide the tools, tips, and motivation to help you reach your goals for living well. To have a menu plan personalized for your body's needs, contact the Metabolic Research Center today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. That way you’ll always know what to eat when dining out.