It is hard to deny the allure of a well-cooked restaurant meal. There’s something special about enjoying a meal expertly prepared for you by someone else. Not to mention, eating out means that there are no dishes to clean up afterward! However, it can be hard to stick to your diet when eating in restaurants or ordering take-out, as many establishments serve meals high in calories or oversized in portions. Here are three ways to simplify the process and choose a meal you’ll feel good about.
Research the Menu
Already know where you’re planning on dining in or ordering out? Peek at their menu before picking up the phone or meeting your friend in-person. Knowing what you’d like to eat ahead of time makes it less likely that you’ll pick something less healthy once you arrive at the restaurant. Another pro of researching the menu? You can make alternative arrangements if the restaurant doesn’t offer many healthy options.
Don't Go Hungry
If you’re trying to eat healthfully at a restaurant, arriving there already starving is a recipe for disaster. We likely don’t have to remind you that hunger can drive you to make bad choices when it comes to healthy dining options, including scarfing down all of the pre-dinner bread. Don’t make the mistake of “saving room” for a big dinner. Enjoy a small snack before you leave for the restaurant, like a cup of yogurt or a piece of fruit.
Watch Your Portions
Many restaurants serve up their entrees in portions that range from slightly larger than recommended to absolutely oversized. This is especially true at a chain or fast-food restaurants. To avoid an accidental binge, be careful not to eat too quickly. Giving your body time to feel full will be key if you don’t want to overeat. You should also get comfortable with asking for a to-go box or splitting a meal with a friend or family member!
Oxford at Sonterra Apartments in San Antonio, Texas is committed to making sure that our residents can live their best life! By taking advantage of our tips & tricks, we hope that you can easily maintain—and even improve— your normal routine.