DINING OUT TIPS FOR DIETERS

When trying to lose weight, eating out may present many challenges, especially when eating out often. Making healthy, low-fat choices in many restaurants is simple when you know what to look for.

The following tips may provide guidelines on how to make healthy, low-fat food selections:

call ahead to ask about the menu and food preparation before visiting a new restaurant
choose a restaurant that provides options, such as a salad bar, low-fat foods, broiled, or vegetarian foods
ask for low-fat meals
ask how the menu item you may want is prepared if it is not described on the menu
select foods that are baked, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted, steamed, or stir-fried
avoid foods that are fried, basted, braised, au gratin, crispy, escalloped, sautéed, stewed, or stuffed
avoid food selections that are described as jumbo, giant, deluxe, big, or super sized
choose low-fat side dishes (such as a salad with dressing on the side, a plain baked potato with plain yogurt as a topping, or a steamed vegetable to replace french fries or coleslaw)
ask for food to be prepared without high fat additions (such as cream sauces, gravies, and butter)
try low-fat, even meatless, ethnic meals that are steamed or stir-fried
avoid desserts or choose fresh fruit, sorbet, sherbet, or angel-food cake and
to avoid overeating when restaurants serve large portions, eat one-half and take the other half home or divide the meal and share it with a friend

Eating out should be a pleasure. Restaurants listen to their customers. By making healthy choices, dining out can be incorporated into any weight loss program.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Dietetic Association, call the national 24-hour Nutrition Information Line at (800) 366-1655, or visit their website at www.eatright.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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