Healthy eating: Making healthy choices when you eat out
What can you do to get started?
When possible, plan ahead. Before you get to the restaurant, think about how you can make the meal more nutritious.
- Try to pick restaurants where the food is made to order, instead of choosing fast-food or buffet-style restaurants. This will allow you to ask for food to be prepared in a healthier way. For example, you can ask to have sauces and gravy served on the side.
- Choose restaurants that offer healthier menu choices. Look for fast-food restaurants that let you order a side salad and milk or water instead of french fries and a soft drink with meals. Another idea is to look for restaurants that have heart-healthy items marked on their menus, and choose those whenever you can.
- If you know that you will be eating out, try to make wise choices for the rest of the day. But don't skip meals before you go out to eat. It's harder to make healthy food choices when you get too hungry. It may help to have a small snack 2 or 3 hours before you go out to eat.
- Most fast-food restaurants have nutrition information available on the Internet and in the restaurants. Use the information to choose items that are lower in fat, calories, and salt.
- If you will be eating at a restaurant that does not offer fruits or vegetables, take your own. For example, if you are going to a fast-food restaurant, bring an apple or a bag of baby carrots to add to your meal.
Test Your Knowledge
It's a good idea to skip a meal if you know that you will be going out to eat later that day.
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Why is it harder to make healthy choices when you eat out?
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: February 6, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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