You don't have to avoid ordering out or eating at a restaurant when you are on a diet or when you are watching your figure. All you need is to know what food to avoid and what to choose from, and to be mindful of what's in it. That's not always as easy as it sounds, because you don't get to watch the food being prepared and often things go in that you really wouldn't know about. Here 10 simple rules for ordering out on a diet:
1. Avoid anything deep fried
Deep fried food should be avoided at all costs. It is bad for you on so many different levels that it should not even be considered acceptable as an occasional splurge.
2. Chose cooking method smartly
Always opt for healthier cooking methods like steaming, baking, grilling or stir frying. Although be careful for any dish that tends to be cooked with a lot of vegetable oil, as this can cause inflamation in your arteries and slow down your metabolism. You will be able to tell if it comes to you feeling greasy.
3. Stick to meat as much as possible
For the most part, you can't go wrong with pure meat. So the closer your dish is to being 100% meat, the closer it will be to optimal healthiness. Even veggies are often doused in vegetable oils, but meat tends to be unadulterated so long as it is not breaded or heavily sauced.
4. Bulk food up with salad or vegetables
You can cut down on a lot of calories if you fill half your plate with vegetables or salad - that way you will eat less.
5. Skip the chips
Never ever have chips when on a diet, or anything else that is potato based. It is too much starch. Sweet potato can be a nice little splurge from time to time but don't overdo it.
6. Start with a starter
To fill you up before your meal, have a starter of soup or a salad - you will eat much less that way. But be careful about what type of soup you are eating because some creamy soups can be very hefty in calories, and many soups also contain large amounts of carbs in the form of rice or noodles.
7. Have salad dressing on the side
If you have your salad dressing on the side, you can control how much you pour over your salad. Use as little as you can tolerate, but also keep in mind that the oil in the dressing will help to keep you full longer.
8. Limit your alcohol intake
Alcohol is high in empty calories and it can also make you eat less. Stick to no more than 3 drinks.
9. Have low fat, low carb sauces
If you are having a sauce, make sure that it is a healthy and light sauce like a chili or soy sauce. Stay away from anything sweetended, thickened, or creamy.
10. Skip the dessert
If you are in the mood for dessert, go for the European classic - a nice digestif wine and some aged cheeses. This will tend to reduce your cravings for sweets, let you feel very satisfied, and enhance your enjoyment of the dining experience.
Cheated on the rules?
A lot of people will tell you that doing too much cardio can make you feel hungrier. For better weight loss focus on muscle building. The cardio method that burns the most calories is interval cardio training. The best cardio machine is the eliptical machine.
These rules will help you to order out more healthy and figure friendly food. Just keep them in mind when you order your next take out or restaurant food.
