Restaurants on a Diet

Eating out is not easy to do on a diet, but it is possible if you know what to order.

When it comes to meats, remember portion sizes.  It is recommended to stick to about 3 oz of meat at a meal (use the palm of your hand or a deck of cards as a portion guide).  The leanest cuts of meat are round and loin: ground round, sirloin, tenderloin; and flank.  Trim visible fat before diving into your meal.  If it is a 7 or 12 oz steak, portion it immediately and put the extras in a box to take home.  Also, pay attention to cooking methods, baked, broiled, and grilled are better than fried.

Ordering salads is a healthy option, but be careful with dressings and cheeses.  They add calories and fat quickly to your meal.  Ask for salad dressing on the side so you control how much you use.

Many sitdown restaurants have soups.  Order soups that are clear, broth-based rather than cream-based.  Creamy soups tend to have more calories and fats per serving. 

Portioning foods before eating, by putting it in a to-go box or by sharing it with a friend, is the best way to save calories and keep food out-of-sight out-of-mind.  Plan ahead.  If a restaurant you enjoy has an online menu, check it out.  Eating at restaurants does not have to be a deal breaker for your diet, but should not be a regular habit either.