DINNING OUT
Try a few of these tips the next time you dine out and go home feeling healthy, not guilty!
- Stick to grilled, baked or roasted meats, fish and vegetables. Avoid menu items that include the words "fried," "breaded" and "sautéed"-giveaways for excess oil, fat, carbs and calories!
- Instead of a greasy, deep-fried appetizer that will only weigh you down, try a light summery salad or a bowl of soup.
- Add a little zip to your meal and color to your plate with vibrant vegetables like tomatoes, yellow peppers and dark leafy greens instead of white, starchy items like potatoes and white rice. You'll get more flavor and extra nutritional value! Request your vegetables to be steamed rather than sautéed. Even ask for extra vegetables and skip the potato and rice.
- Ask the waiter to remove the breadbasket or tortilla chips from your table as soon as you sit down so you're not tempted to nibble absentmindedly throughout your meal or fill up on empty carbs before your main course even arrives.
- Be wary of the hidden carbs in alcohol and limit your intake. A better choice is sparkling mineral water with a twist of lemon or lime. Or ask for a wine spritzer, which has only half the wine.
- Order salad dressings and sauces on the side. As a rule of thumb, if it tastes sweet, it probably contains sugar-avoid it! Low-calorie Italian is the best for High-Protein, Low-Carb Program. Use two spoonfuls or less of dressing. That way you can still enjoy the taste of the greens!
- Skip fattening desserts and opt for fresh seasonal fruit, have a coffee drink such as a non-fat cappuccino with a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
- To keep your hunger under control and prevent overeating.