Dining Out Healthy Switches
Eating is an incredibly social experience which means we frequently socialize over food by dining out with friends, family, and loved ones. The problem is, for those of us trying to make a conscious effort to eat better, we are faced with the struggle of having to make “healthy” choice when eating out. This is tough! Especially when your loved ones are chowing down a delicious burger and fries while you poke at your plain green lettuce salad. Stop. Let’s change that way of thinking. You can still indulge while dining out, but make some smarter choices to help cut the calories.
Here are some of our favorite easy healthy switches you can make when dining out to help you decrease the number of calories you are consuming:
Lettuce for Buns
We all love burgers, right? But the problem is they can be loaded with a ton of calories…one of our favorite ways to cut down on calories while still being able to enjoy a big juicy burger is to get rid of the buns and replace them with lettuce. This can save you at least 120 calories on that burger!
Go for the Thin Crust
Pizza, again another one of everyone’s favorite foods, however, pizza can really pack a punch of fat, calories, carbs, and more. Save yourself by ordering a thin crust pizza. A stuffed crust, not including toppings, can pack in as many as 360 calories per slice while a thin crust has around 160 calories per slice.
Eat Your Veggies
Most entrees will likely come with a side and while it may be tempting to order those french fries opt for the veggie option instead. A traditional side of french fries will be right around 365 calories, depending how large the order of fries is versus a side salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing will have less than 200 calories.
Know Your Dressings
When we think of ordering a salad most of us think we are going for the healthier option, however, those salad dressings have the potential to pack in a ton of calories and fat. In general, the creamy dressings are likely to be the worst for you, instead, go for the vinaigrette dressing. These types of dressings are usually lower in fat and calories.
Get it on the Side
Whether it is dressing for your salad or a sauce to dress up your burger, get it on the side. This will help to control portions of the dressing/sauce.
Water
When the server takes your drink order opt for water with lemon. Many of us forget that what we drink contains calories and many fancy cocktails, coffee drinks, and craft beers can pack in a whopping load of calories without even realizing it
Smart Cocktails
We get it, sometimes you just need a cocktail. On those occasions plan ahead and choose a smarter cocktail such as a vodka tonic with lemon and lime, which will have around 60-100 calories per drink. Always know what is in that cocktail before you order it.
Remember…
It is okay to indulge and a good rule to follow is the 80/20 rule, meaning you eat well 80% of the time and allow yourself to indulge guilt free 20% of the time. Remember, it is all about the balance.
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