Eating Smart When Eating Out

I know, it's hard to avoid the urge to eat out! It's not even as if we always want to eat out, but sometimes there really is JUST NO TIME! Here are some easy tips to make your eating out experience a little healthier, a little happier, and best of all, a little less guilt ridden! Because, as I always say, eating food should be enjoyable, and we shouldn't feel bad just because life doesn't always give us time or resources to make a yummy home meal.

 First of All: The Basics
 1. Walk! If leaving from home or the office or school, pick a place that is at least a 5 minute brisk walk. Worried about the 5th period bell ringing before you get back? That's even more reason to pick up the pace and get your exercise on.
 2. Walk with friends. This is a great time to catch with friends and family, and gives you time to digest your food properly.
3. Walk up instead of drive up. So you have to drive, that's okay. But at least get out of the car and walk inside, it probably takes just as much time to wait in the drive through, and at least this options gets your heart rate up a bit.

  Right-Size Your Serving Sizes Becoming sensible about serving sizes is an important way to maintain a healthy weight and it’s good for your wallet too. Instead of a large entrée, order an appetizer and a leafy green salad or choose two appetizers for a meal. Start with a small serving like a cup of soup, a junior burger or a small order of fries. If you are still hungry, order something else.


Indulge your inner child: Order a kid’s meal at a fast-food restaurant. Many now offer a choice of low-fat milk and fruits or vegetables instead of fries. Savor your steak twice as much. Eat half at the restaurant, then take the other half home to enjoy sliced onto a green salad or as a sandwich on whole-grain bread.


Ask for a to-go box as soon as your meal is served. Put half your food into the container for a second meal. That’s two meals for the price of one.


Sharing is Caring: Share from start to finish. Order one appetizer for the whole table and then order one dessert with multiple forks. Sometimes, just a bite or two is perfect. Share an entrée. You can ask your server to split the meal in the kitchen or divide it up yourselves at the table. Hope this helps!!