Sometimes there's nothing in the fridge and you really don't want to cook – but just because you're treating yourself to a restaurant meal doesn't mean that you should forget about your health. It's hard to control how food is cooked at restaurants, but there are some ways to make sure you're getting the healthiest meal possible.
One major tip is to limit portion sizes! If your entree arrives and you see that it's way more than you should eat at one meal, get half wrapped up to take home before you even dig in. You'll savor the rest of your order and have lunch or dinner for later in the week.
Another tip is to order well! There are healthy choices available at just about any restaurant. Sometimes it may take a little more ingenuity on your part, but a healthy ordering strategy can save you. Here are some helpful tips for choosing healthy restaurant foods:
Pizza. Pizza can be delicious and nutritious, if you know what to order. Don't order extra cheese and meaty toppings, instead try mushrooms, peppers, and other flavorful veggie toppings that will spice up your meal and deliver some vitamins. And watch out for special offers like breadsticks, cheesy crusts and dessert items they might be free, but their fat and calories definitely count!
Chinese Food. Chinese food in America is notoriously high in saturated fat. The key to ordering healthy off of the Chinese food menu is to go for steamed dishes with lots of veggies and little fat. Try an order of steamed vegetable dumplings and mixed vegetable stir-fry with brown rice. Treat yourself to a fortune cookie but stay away from crunchy deep-fried toppings. Also go for low-sodium soy sauce if they've got it. It tastes just like normal soy sauce, but has just a fraction of the salt!
Mexican Food. Hearty burritos with beans, rice and veggies can satisfy even the biggest appetite. Avoid hard tacos and nacho chips they're deep-fried and super fatty. Instead, try a soft taco with beans or fish, loaded up with rice, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. Do yourself a favor and hold the cheese and sour cream.
Lucy (06/16/2010 08:38:09 AM)
Thanks, Chrissy, for suggestion about the Grillers. I'll try that. Just wants to say the "ribs" are absolutely delicious! The sauce is excellent! Thanks! FYI: Taco Bell will make the "stuffings" in a bowl rather than the burrito or other wraps - same price - and for a little more money you can add avocado or rice. Delicious!
Susan (06/15/2010 18:30:10 PM)
A lot of restaurants are starting to offer more veggie. Burger King has a Morningstar Veggie Burger. It's not always shown, but you can order it. Subway also has a Vegi Patty, which is great with all the fixings!
frances (02/02/2010 17:09:47 PM)
our simple way: only order one entree for two people...anywhere...or just order appetizers if you want a selection...
Pam (02/02/2010 11:56:39 AM)
When I order pizza for my son and I, I like to go to the Domino's website where we can choose crust type (thin), light on sauce, light on cheese, and what specific toppings we want. I don't feel as guilty eating pizza when we lighten up on some of the toppings and leave off the meat.
TX (01/29/2010 16:40:49 PM)
sometimes it is fun to eat meatless at a Mexican restaurant - get he black beans esp!
Chrissy (05/31/2009 21:41:10 PM)
I wanted to leave a recipe for the grillers original, I take them and make burgers out of them, an egg, spices, bread crumbs what ever you want to put in them like a burger that people would make, and fry them they are really good, one egg per 3 burgers and extend their use they are great
Vege since 1989 (05/30/2009 16:11:22 PM)
Bring with you a preheated Morningstar staple (ie veggie burger, etc-) and at the restaurant add a salad or a couple of sides. Condiments and sides of sauces, etc. are usually free. This provides a healthier alternative as well as cuts cost.
beatel (05/29/2009 21:09:42 PM)
the burgerking has a veggie burger which is pretty good fixed up. the mexican place near us is chipolte which is the best veggie fast food. i get a single veggie taco or a rice veggie bowl and make three meals out of it! there are more and more chinese resturants that cook delicious mock chicken, steak,pork and even shrimp! and the local health food bar for brown rice and steamed veggies with bragg sauce? but right now have plenty of food in the pantry. have a good night
fran (05/29/2009 18:26:49 PM)
When we eat mexican, we find that whole beans and rice gives us a complete protein while giving lots of flavor. Especially if you use salsa to flavor.