Dining Out: Making the Right Choices

After posting my last reviews on my latest finds and recommendations, I was asked to give some ideas and insight into dining out. This can be a frustrating ordeal for some...where to go, what to eat, etc. I love food...LOVE IT...so when I go out to eat, the last thing I want to do is tress about what I can and cannot have. Making changes in your lifestyle and choosing to eat more natural and nutritionally sound food plays a big part in this. Because of what I do and what I eat on a regular basis, I don't sweat it when I am out for dinner. I enjoy myself and choose what I love to eat...sounds easy for me, right? Key words are: because of what I eat on a regular basis. Because I eat well 80% of the time, I do not want to eat crap...it just does not taste as good to me anymore. When you make the necessary changes to reach this, you will find your self in the same boat...I promise. I choose NOT to eat crap because it is just not worth it to me. I feel awful after I do...physically awful...so it is just not worth it to me anymore.

Choosing Restaurants:

Choose restaurants that are locally owed...in other words, try to stay away from chain restaurants if at all possible. Reason being is not to put these restaurants out of business, BUT to support your local businesses. Also, chances are that you will have more interesting options. Choose bistro style restaurants where the chef truly cares about what he or she puts on a plate. This does not mean you have to break the bank to go out to eat, just choose wisely. You can have a fab meal at a local bistro style restaurant and spend the same as you would at a chain restaurant.

No Buffets:

Sorry!!! These are a giant NO-NO!!! Can you honestly say that you can go in to a buffet style restaurant and a) make great choices, b)not overindulge and c)not feel like crap...physically and mentally. Thinking that you are saving money is just not true. Buffets are not cheap, but we get caught up in the all-you-can-eat mentality and it becomes a I-am-going-to-make-sure-I-eat-as-much-as-I-can! If you absolutely have no choice and find yourself in a buffet style restaurant, choose wisely:

• raw salads and veggies
• whole grain breads
• grilled chicken, fish or seafood's
• fresh shrimp: great filler!
  
• broth based soups
• small portion of dessert

Tips for Dining Out:

• make it about the company and not the food
• drink water with lots of lemon and lime to help clean out your system
• order soda water with your meal...add lemon/lime to flavor
  
• share an appetizer: mussels in broth, salad, satay, humus, etc.
• send back the white: no white bread, white sugar, white pasta
• ask for whole grain bread with a side of olive oil for dipping instead of margarine
• choose grilled lean meats for main course
• if pasta is made fresh on premises, order away!
• no creams sauces, please...stick with the reds: low in fat and good for your heart
  
• ask for dressing on the side so you can control how much you use
• savoy a glass of red wine or spritzer with dinner
• cover pate with napkin after you are done...you will not be tempted to keep eating and if you are, you will have to pull the napkin off and chances are you will not want to do this
• eat half your meal and take rest home for lunch the next day
  
• enjoy conversation over herbal teas or a latte with skim milk after dinner
• if you MUST have dessert, please share it
  
• drink lots of water
• ENJOY yourself...dining out should be something to savoy, not dread

Breakfast or Brunch Tips:

• poached eggs or egg white omelet
• always DRY whole grain or dark rye toast
• pea meal bacon - much less fat then regular bacon
• no dessert style waffles
• whole grain french toast...no butter or whip cream please (always ask as some add this without it being on the menu)
• bring your own Agave Nectar (see August food list)
  
• crepes with fresh fruit
• tea, herbal tea, coffee, latte, cappuccino...all with low fat milk and stevia or agave to sweeten
• fresh fruit bowls or plates with natural yogurt
• fresh made granola....only if you know they make it or order in specially
• smoothies: made with natural plain yogurt or low fat milk or soy milk
• 2 glasses of water for every tea or coffee you drink

Fast Food on the Run:

Do I need to list where to stay away from? I know drive-through are convenient, but how can you make healthy choices at the drive-through? If you absolutely must have fast food, try to choose the following:

• order grilled chicken sandwiches with extra veg and no mayo
• grilled wraps
• small fries...say NO to super-size
  
• water or milk
• no diet soft drinks
• salad with vinaigrette

My Picks for Fast Food:

• pita pit or any pita place: whole wheat pita stuffed with extra veg, grilled chick and humus - protein(chicken), complex carbs(veg and pita) and healthy fats(humus)
• subway: choose whole wheat bun, lean meat like turkey or chicken and ask for extra veg
• pizza nova: great choice of whole grain slices - choose one with chicken, if you can
• pizza pizza: same as above
• Tim Horton's: whole grain sandwich with turkey and veg OR whole grain bagel with cheese and veg

I am a big fan of Pita Pit or any pita style restaurants. You can order with the knowledge that you are making a better choice for yourself and get some exercise by having to WALK to the restaurant, rather than drive up and through the restaurant to get your meal.

Ordering In:

I love to order in...LOVE IT!!!! My clients know that one of my favorite things to when hubby is out f town is to order in. Nice glass of red wine, whole wheat pizza and a movie....simple pleasures. Here are my order in picks:

• thai: satay, cold spring rolls, lemongrass soup, mango salad (super yum!), anything tofu, pad thai to share
• sushi: edamame (great for lunches/afternoon snack), miso soup, curry, sashimi, brown rice maki
• Chinese: hot and sour soup, rice noodle dishes, egg foo young, tai dop voy, mixed veg dishes
  
• pizza: whole wheat crust, unlimited veg, 4 cheese blend or part-skim moz

Lastly...

Remember to enjoy your experience. If you overindulge, don't beat yourself up over it. Remember these tips and get on it next time. We all fall off the wagon , it's what you do when you hit the ground that counts. Get back up and get back on track and learn from your mistakes. This is how we teach our children, but we forget these simple rules as we get older. Try to bring back the enjoyment of food by making the choice today to say no to the crap and yes to the fact that you DESERVE better...better for your body, better for your mind and better for your soul!

Feel free to add to my list of tips or if you know of a great restaurant, let me know and share it with the world. Until next time...