One of the main reasons you may be struggling with your weight loss goals is that you simply want to have fun. Many people hesitate to go on a diet or consult a trainer because they believe that weight loss involves a boring, regimented and intimidating discipline. The one thing people are particularly afraid of is that they won’t be able to eat out anymore. However, that is a myth. Going out to eat and losing weight are not as incompatible as you think. If you can simply avoid a few “restaurant woes,” it will be a great start to your weight loss goals.
drinks without alcohol
Soft drinks are the most obvious and important start to this list, because a soft drink is the first thing most of us order when we arrive at a restaurant. As you may already know, a soda is nothing but empty calories and a cocktail of deadly chemicals. The worst part is that they don’t taste that good either. People usually order a soft drink as a matter of habit (addiction in some cases) or simply to accompany their meal. Avoid soda and you’ll save 200 to 350 calories at each meal. In fact, there are several healthier beverages you’ll find on most menus.
juices
When I just mentioned ‘healthy drinks’, ‘juice’ was probably the first thing that came to mind, so let me start by busting this myth. Most restaurants serve sweetened, packaged juices that, like soda, load you up with liquid sugar calories (empty calories). Although a glass of juice packs as many calories as a soda, it doesn’t fill you up in the slightest. The worst part is that while juices retain the water and sugar elements of the fruit, most of the fiber, minerals, and vitamins are lost in the discarded pulp residue. So even when juices are fresh and sugar-free, they’re not a health miracle. It is much healthier to have a portion of chopped fruit if you are eating out and on a diet.
For a healthy and refreshing drink, try a lightly sweetened iced tea or herbal beverage. If such an option is not available, I would recommend good old water!
Fried food
Even if you can’t resist your occasional meal of burgers, that doesn’t mean you have to screw up your diet. Just try to avoid chips or fries that you would normally package. Fried foods are calorie bombs, and most of these calories come from unhealthy fats. In fact, you’d be smart to eat your burger with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables and a lightly sweetened iced tea instead of fries and a soda. Just by making these side dish substitutions, you could end up saving up to 900 calories every time you eat a sandwich or burger!
refined foods
If you’re eating out on a diet, refined foods should be high on your “avoid” list. So avoid large portions of rice and pasta with your meals, ignore the bread and butter sandwiches placed on your table until your order arrives, and when possible opt for whole grain breads, pasta or rice with your meal or sandwich. . Once again, this partial discipline will save you a lot of calories.
In all, if you eat out ten times a month, you could save 2-3 pounds of weight gain with these simple steps! Essentially, if you’re prepared to be sensitive, it’s not that hard to lose weight while eating out.
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