Right now, Thursday’s are our “cheat night” It’s the night that The Husband gets home from the police academy (usually not until around 7pm) and the night that I have to take The Boy to cub scouts. We are always so rushed that it’s easiest to make this the one night of the week that I don’t cook. So, I thought today would be a good day to review this particular page in my book. Here are the six tips that Ellie Lreiger gives for eating away from home…
1. Pick the right restaurant. While you can order healthfully in any restaurant, make it easy for yourself by choosing a place that has a reputation for serving healthfully prepared food. Restaurants specializing in seafood are usually a safe bet.
2. Choose foods prepared with less fat. Opt for foods that are steamed, poached, broiled, roasted, grilled, or baked. Avoid fried, battered, creamy, or cheesy choices.
3. Make special requests. Don’t be afraid to ask for sauces and dressings on the side, for food broiled without butter, or to say, “Hold the cheese.” Most restaurants are happy to accommodate you.
4. Keep portions human sized. Most restaurants serve ridiculously large portions. So try these ways to keep portions sensible:
- Eat just half your entree and take the other half home.
- Order two appetizers instead of an appetizer and an entree.
- Split your entree with your dining partner.
5. Start the meal off on the right foot.
- If you can’t eat just one or two slcies of bread, ask the waiter no to bring the bread basket to the table.
- Start off with a garden salad, grilled vegetables, vegetable soup or consomme, or a shrimp cocktail to take the edge off your appetite.
- Skip the cream soups, fried vegetables, and cheese sticks.
6. Desert Dessert. Are you in the habit of having dessert after every meal? Break it and do the unthinkable: say “no thanks” to dessert. Or try a healthier choice like sorbet or fresh fruit.
All-in-all, I think they are sensible suggestions. Right now, though, sit down restaurants aren’t really in our budget, and our “dining out” primarily consists of takeout. Still, I think the same principals apply. When we go for fast food, I try to remember to get grilled chicken instead of fried, or to order a large salad with no dressing instead of a combo meal. When I am “on track” I make an effort to request a side salad or fruit as my side item instead of french fries, or to just skip the side item altogether (it’s healthier and easier on the wallet to get just the sandwich!)
Hopefully I will remember to stick with this tonight!
No comments:
Post a Comment