EATING OUT…YOU CAN STILL DO IT AND BE HEALTHY

By, Charlotte Snow

Want to stick to a diet but don’t want to throw a wrench in your social life?  Have a boyfriend who just loves to take you out to nice dinners and you just hate to disappoint him?  Well, it’s no mystery that cooking your own food and eating at home is the healthier option.  I mean let’s face it…if we can control the portions and ingredients being used during preparation, we have the choice of making our food as healthy as we choose.  That being said, you don’t have to ditch the boyfriend and commit to a life in the kitchen completely.  There are some things you can do to keep your social life in tact and still keep the calories under control.

If you’re out to eat for the fourth time this week and it’s not your cheat day, maybe stay away from the steak and go with a fish or chicken option.  At any time it is completely acceptable (and wise) to ask the chef to prepare your food without butter and oil.  Personally, I prefer my food not to be smothered in sauce.  And sauces are where you pack in the most of your calories!  If you just have to have it, order it on the side and dip your fish or chicken lightly into it.  Instead of the creamy spinach side or fried shoestring potatoes, order steamed veggies or have them sautéed with a little garlic, lemon and white wine.  And skip the bread!!  It will pack on a bunch of wasted calories you just don’t need!

So while I’m not suggesting to eat every meal out, for those of you who really enjoy the experience of dining in restaurants, you can still do it while keeping to your healthy lifestyle!  Enjoy!