When I started to focus on my health and fitness, one of the things that ended up being a challenge was eating out. It seemed like every time I went to a restaurant, it would be impossible for me to find something that wasn’t either fried or loaded with carbs.
However, there are some simple strategies you can use to make sure you’re getting healthy food at any restaurant! That’s why this blog post will go over some of the best options at many popular restaurants so that you know what your choices are no matter where you eat!
Research it Beforehand
As a general rule, I recommend doing a quick Google search to see what the restaurant’s specialty is, and what you can find there. Whether it’s a veggie or vegan-friendly joint, a burger joint with a bunch of gluten-free options, or even a traditional steakhouse with some healthy sides, just about every place will have something that might work for you!
However, if you’re going to an Asian fusion restaurant and your heart just isn’t in the vegetarian section of the menu, don’t be afraid to ask your server if they can add chicken or fish sauce to anything on the menu. They may have some great ideas for you! It never hurts to ask!
Go Straight to the ‘Eat Healthy’ Section of the Menu
Another feature that many restaurants have nowadays is a “healthy” or “light” section in the menu. They conveniently provide all of their healthier choices for you here. Some of them even give you the number of carbohydrates, calories, fat, and Weight Watchers points to help you decide.
For example, at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, I was able to find this section of the menu right away and see that their “Chicken Lettuce Wraps” were only 160 calories each (with 15 grams of protein!)
Ask For What You Want
When a restaurant prepares your meal, don’t be afraid to tell them what you do and don’t want. The majority of them are happy to omit the mayonnaise, substitute cheese with fruit or veggies, or offer you your salad dressing on the side.
If an item is fried, request that it be prepared grilled instead. If you usually get an omelet with cheese and vegetables, ask for no cheese or very light cheese and additional vegetables.
If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, kindly let your server know in advance so they can take the proper precautions when making your meal and alert the chef of any special requests that may need to be made for you.
Look For Healthy Options on Menus
The majority of restaurants these days offer at least one menu with health-conscious items.
If possible, choose a restaurant that offers healthier options. If you’re at an establishment without many healthy choices, look for menu items with the following:
- Protein: grilled chicken or fish over red meat and pork; tofu instead of beef, pork, or poultry.
- Fruits and vegetables: select two side dishes as your meal or order a salad as your meal.
- Whole Grains: brown rice instead of white, whole-grain bread and pasta.
Follow These Easy Healthy Eating Tips
Eating healthy can be difficult in a restaurant because it doesn’t always seem like there is an option. But, with the right strategies, you will find that eating healthy is easy and stress-free at any restaurant you go to.
- Order water instead of soda or alcohol
- Add vegetables, salad (with dressing on the side), beans, and rice to your meal
- Choose skewers over hamburgers
- Order green tea, not iced tea
When you go into a restaurant, whether it’s fast food or a fancy steakhouse, there are some simple strategies you can use to make sure you’re getting healthy food at any restaurant.
These tips should help you feel better about the decisions you are making and how they affect your health, as well as provide a few laughs along the way. Happy eating!
