Strategies for Eating Out at Restaurants Without Wrecking Your Healthy Diet

Eating Out Doesn't Have to Spell Diet Doom! Follow These Tips to Keep the Calorie Count Down and the Fun Up

Every month or so, my high school dismissed students early to allow teachers time for professional development. At 12:30 p.m., students would pour out the doors, pile into the car of whoever could drive, and fill up the dining rooms of every casual chain restaurant in a five mile radius, giddy with anticipation of afternoon of social fun.

I'd peruse the menu of our chosen restaurant, my waistline and the eyes of a half-dozen friends on my mind, and carefully select a "healthy" salad for my lunch. Sure, it came topped with fried chicken and with a quarter cup of dressing on the side, but it was a salad -- how bad could it be? I'd keep with my healthy theme for dessert and generously split the enormous slice of chocolate cake with a friend. Keeping it all for myself would seem piggish, but if I ate only half I was virtuous!

Alas, the day came for me, as it does for us all, when I realized I couldn't maintain a slim waistline if I kept believing those myths. While my first rule for keeping fit is to avoid restaurants as much as possible, I still enjoy going out once in a while for a treat. Now, I know I can enjoy a night out without busting my calorie budget if I utilize a few strategies.

First, I look over the whole menu. Don't just stick to the salad section, where entrees often have as many or more calories as the plates in the burger section. Many restaurants offer a section of healthy options with reasonable calorie counts. Other good bets are broth-based soups, pastas with tomato-based sauces, and grilled lean meats with veggie sides.

Second, no matter what I order, I section off half and leave it untouched. Some people request a takeout container right away for the half that's going home, but unless you truly need to keep the food out of sight to keep it out of mind, simply pushing the excess aside.