Here's some easy weight loss tips at restaurants to keep your dining from becoming dangerous for your waistline.
Before you go
Do your homework by looking at restaurant menus online or check takeout menus.
Get calorie information about your favorite dishes.
Look for new taste treats that are low calorie.
Find restaurants that have extended salad bars of fresh low calorie vegetables where you can keep the salad dressing on the side.
A great way to learn these weight loss tips at restaurants is to practice at home.
Learn portion sizes at home. One serving of potatoes is one half cup--visualize one half of a tennis ball. One serving of meat is three ounces--visualize three small matchbooks.
Practice dining at home with low fat soup and a large low-calorie salad with a low fat dressing on the side. Practice makes it easier to choose those items when you dine out.
Ordering
Ask for calorie information. It's not uncommon for a restaurant meal to contain enough calories for one person for a whole day.
Avoid the bread. One slice can be 100 extra calories. One teaspoon of butter or oil can be 50 calories.
If the bread is a signature of the restaurant, enjoy it, but let your entree be a low fat soup and skip any dessert.
Restrict high calorie alcoholic drinks or drinks loaded with sugar.
Do they have a diet menu? Choose a low calorie selection. but watch out--many low calorie selections do not include the calories of dressing, bread, or side dishes in their calorie count.
Choose one or two non-fried interesting appetizers rather than an entree. Avoid oil marinated appetizers.
Have a clear broth soup before your entree or, even better, in place of the entree.
Eat only baked, steamed, boiled, broiled, or grilled foods.
Avoid all fried foods or creamy sauces.
During your meal
Extend the pleasure of your meal by starting with a pot of green tea. Refill as needed.
Take control of your portion size by dividing an entree in half as soon as it is brought to the table. You can share with a friend or put it into a "to go" box immediately.
