| Last month I wrote about the many benefits of eating | | | | As I mentioned in my February newsletter, restaurants |
| home-cooked food. While I am still a proponent of | | | | typically serve larger portions than what we would eat |
| eating home-cooked food, eating out can be healthy, | | | | at home. I find that it's very tempting to eat all of the |
| fun, and relaxing. Here are some tips for healthy | | | | food that's put in front of me, so here are some |
| restaurant eating. | | | | strategies to avoid overeating. |
| 1. Pick a restaurant with healthy options. | | | | * Fill up on a large salad and then order a bowl of soup |
| Eating out should feel like a special treat, so think | | | | or appetizer rather than an entree. |
| carefully about what kind of food you want to eat. | | | | * Share a main dish and a side dish with a friend. |
| While most restaurants do not cater to healthy eating, | | | | * Ask for two plates and put half of your entree on |
| there are a few gems out there. I encourage you to | | | | the second plate. Only eat from the second plate if |
| check out the "Healthy Boston-area Restaurants" | | | | you are still hungry. If you don't eat the whole portion, |
| section of the Free Resources page on my website. I | | | | take the rest home for leftovers. |
| am always looking to add to this list, so please email | | | | * Drink a lot of water and chew your food thoroughly. |
| me your favorite healthy restaurants (in Boston or | | | | 4. Don't starve yourself before eating out. |
| elsewhere). | | | | If you know you are going out for dinner, you might be |
| 2. Customize your meal. | | | | tempted to skip a meal earlier in the day or eat |
| Don't be afraid to ask your server to modify a dish or | | | | substantially less. This strategy will backfire because |
| to create a special dish for you. Restaurants are | | | | you will be so hungry once you are at the restaurant |
| usually willing to accommodate your desires, as long as | | | | that you will end up over-ordering and overeating. |
| the have the ingredients on hand. Some requests you | | | | 5. Enjoy yourself. |
| might make include asking for extra vegetables, sauce | | | | Keep all of the above in mind without depriving |
| on the side, an entree portion of an appetizer, or | | | | yourself. Don't order something just because you think |
| steamed vegetables instead of sauteed. | | | | it's healthy. Order food that you know will satisfy you |
| 3. Watch your portion size. | | | | and then don't feel guilty about it! |