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Feel Great Weight

How to Eat Out Without Getting Fat

healthy dining

Istockphoto
By Kimberly Dawn Neumann
From Health magazine

The secret: Ask for things your way, Feel Great Weight dream team diet expert Alyse Levine, RD, says.

Do a late lunch
Ask if you can get a smaller (and cheaper!) lunch-size portion at dinnertime. Or, choose an appetizer as your meal; the portions are more likely single-serving-sized.

Get it to go
If you order a full entrée, ask for a to-go box along with your meal, then package up at least half of it before you take the first bite. Or, ask the waiter to have the kitchen box up half of your meal before it’s even served to you.

Skip the fat
Ask for foods to be grilled, steamed or broiled instead of sautéed or fried. Or, request that your entrée be cooked “dry,” which is restaurant-speak for no added oil or butter. Request lemon or lime wedges or some fresh herbs to add your own flavor.

Choose one starch
If you simply must have a warm roll from the bread basket, ask them to hold the rice pilaf that comes with your entrée.

Choose veggies wisely
Not all of them are equally healthy. Sautéed spinach, for example, is often sautéed in gobs of butter. If you’re unsure about a veggie dish, ask how it’s prepared. Or skip it and go for steamed or raw instead.

Play favorites
If you really want the burger, go ahead and get it, but without the fries. Have that chocolate chip cookie at the office party, but skip the chips. By sticking to just splurges you love, you’ll satisfy your urge without overdoing it.

Stick with what you know
No nutrition info on the menu? If it’s a national chain, check the restaurant’s website beforehand; most make their calorie counts available so you can be prepared going in. Or fall back on one of these restaurant meals you can eat without guilt, vetted and approved (in moderation!) by our Feel Great Weight experts.


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Last Updated: July 17, 2009
Filed Under: Feel Great Weight
Also Tagged: , ,
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Comments (13)

The following content represents the opinions of Health.com users. It is not editorially reviewed for medical or factual accuracy. It does not constitute medical advice. See your doctor for medical advice.
  • Andrea

    I too have (J)RA. I’ve had it for 27 years. How Do you walk for 30 minutes when you can hardly move because you’re in so much pain?

    That’s what I want to know.

  • Craig

    Eat, Eat, Eat yes Eat. Start with the most important meal BREAKFAST! Take vitamins and have a healthy breakfast of oat meal or whole grain cereal. Have a protein snack about 10:00 am, eat a sensible lunch with some fruit, a lite snack about 2:30 or 3 (I eat peanut butter crackers). Then eat a dinner as soon as you can around 5 or 6. Don’t eat late. Take a 30 minute walk and presto in a few weeks you’ll see the pounds slip away. If the body gets used to being feed it won’t store as much fat. Eat lots of protein in your meal it will keep you full.

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