7 Effective Fat Loss Strategies When Dining Out by Kim Lyons

You can still go out and enjoy a good time AND lose fat, if you just follow these 7 simple rules.

1. Develop a plan in advance. Look at the restaurant menu online and decide on the healthiest option that you’d enjoy … and stick to it.

2. Eat a small, healthy snack before dining out. If you’re pleasantly hungry, rather than starved, you can relax, eat slowly and enjoy the meal, rather than risk losing control by overeating unhealthy foods.

3. Load up on vegetables. Unless they are friend or soaked in butter or oil, you cannot go wrong with veggies because they are very low in calories, high in fiber and loaded with other beneficial nutrients, and have almost no adverse aff ect on blood sugar levels.

4. Include a lean protein source. For example, if you order a large salad, ask the waiter to add grilled chicken or cottage cheese.

5. Make simple, healthier changes to the meals you enjoy. If you only order what you think you “should” rather than what you really want, you may be satisfied physically, but not psychologically … and will most likely crave something more … and end up making poor choices later on.

6. Drink plenty of water and eat slowly.

7. Listen to your body and stop eating when you begin to feel full, not necessarily when your plate is empty. No one says you have to eat the entire meal – box it up and enjoy the rest later.

YOU are the paying customer and can request that your meal is prepared however you like. Here are some examples of what to tell the waiter to help keep your meal healthy, yet still enjoyable:

• Could I have that with white breast meat instead of dark meat, please?
• Could I have my fish grilled instead of fried?
• Could you please go light on the cheese (oil, butter, cream, etc.)?
• Could I have my baked potato with everything on the side?
• Could I please have my sandwich (or burger) without cheese and mayonnaise, add extra lettuce, tomatoes and mustard?
• I’d like your low-calorie dressing on the side, please.
• Can you steam the vegetables without any oil or butter, please?
• Please make my omelet with just the whites and go light on the cheese.
• May I get half of my meal boxed-up in advance, please?
• Could I have marinara sauce instead of the creamy one used in this dish?
• Instead of French fries, could you please bring me a salad, dressing on the side, about 10 minutes before my entrée?