Eating Healthy on a Night Out

Sometimes we all just need a fun night out with our friends or families, and that usually includes going out to eat. Going out to eat is fun and sociable, however we don’t realize that it can lead to poor food choices and overeating. I’m not saying don’t go out to eat, because what’s the fun in staying home? I’m saying there are healthy tips and alternatives for eating out at a restaurant.

Read the Menu online before you arrive

Once you arrive, you are more likely to make unhealthy food choices due to how hungry you are. Also, the sight and smell of food in the restaurant can make ordering healthy foods difficult if you don’t have a plan beforehand.

Have a healthy snack on the way

One way to prevent overeating is eating a healthy snack like yogurt or fruit before you go. This will make you more full when you arrive, so you end up ordering less.

Drink Water

Order water at a restaurant for your meal, it doesn’t have all the sugar AND it’s less expensive. Drinking more water while eating a meal can keep you hydrated more.

Look how the food is prepared

When looking at a menu, you want to look for the words “grilled” “poached” or “roasted” because in general these preparations have less fat. The foods that are described at “fried” “crispy” or “sauteed” will usually have more fat.

Order before everyone else

No matter what you think, other people’s choices can influence your own choice. In situations that are social, people tend to copy or do the same things as other people.

Avoid all you can eat buffets

This tip is self-explanatory, because everyone knows that you leave all you can eat buffets with a full and maybe even hurting stomach. Not everyone is good at estimating portion sizes, so you may get food that is way more than a portion. However, if this is the only option, try grabbing a smaller plate or using a normal size plate except fill up half with either fruits, vegetables, or salad.

Share your meal with someone

A whole meal at a restaurant can often be bigger than you thought, and if you are the only one eating it, with it sitting right in front of you, there’s pressure to eat it all. If you share and only eat half, you can prevent eating too much.

Don’t ever skip a night out with your friends just because you’re on a diet or you want to be healthy, there are many opportunities to satisfy your healthy living! On the other hand, if you tend to overeat, these tips can really help you make good food choices at restaurants!