10 Tips for Dining Out


There is no doubt about it; Americans are eating in restaurants more often than ever before. In 1970 Americans spent just 26% of their food dollars on restaurant meals. Today we spend 46% of food dollars on eating out. This is likely the result of a fast paced lifestyle and more convenience of restaurants. What have also grown are restaurant portion sizes. The average restaurant portion size is large enough to feed three adults! Furthermore, studies have found a direct association between eating out and higher caloric intakes and higher body weights. This is important to know since obesity rates have doubled in the past 20 years and currently 65% of adults are obese.

This doesn't mean you have to forego eating in restaurants. This may not be realistic for many people's lifestyles. Instead, become more aware of what you are ordering and how much is on your plate. Here are 10 tips for dining out.

1. At lunch, opt for a deli sandwich with vegetable soup or side salad instead of a burger and fries. You can find these items in your local deli or supermarket.

2. Avoid specialty breads on sandwiches such as foccacia, baguettes or rolls, and choose whole grain bread instead.

3. Avoid anything mixed with heavy sauces or mayonnaise. (a tuna or egg salad sandwich in a restaurant may have more mayonnaise than you would add at home).

4. Get your salad dressings, sauces, and gravies on the side.

5. Eat half or even a quarter of the regular entrée or split the meal with a friend. Remember, most restaurant portions can feed 3 adults.

6. Share one dessert.

7. Skip the extra cheese on anything you order.

8. Choose lean meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish. A turkey sandwich in place of a roast beef sandwich can save you 100 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat.

9. Go easy on stuffed entrees- they're often loaded in fat and calories.

10. Avoid "super-sizing" combo meals. They may be an economic value but they can add up to 2000 calories for one meal!

The average American adult is gaining 2-3 pounds a year. That amounts to eating just 20 - 30 extra calories than your body needs each day. It really is the "little things" that put on excess weight. Where can you save a few calories?

© Meri Raffetto RD, 2004

Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has received a bachelor's degree in both nutrition and psychology and has extensive experience in nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy. She offers individual nutrition counseling and has developed one of the only non-diet weight management programs available on the internet. For more information or to sign up for Real Living's free nutrition newsletter, visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Current World News

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 19, 2008
Now researchers have found that obese women who undergo weight-loss surgery before becoming pregnant are less likely to have pregnancy-related health ...
Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study Reuters
Go for pre-pregnancy weight loss surgery Times of India
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
TheMedGuru - U.S. News & World Report
all 58 news articles


Weight Loss Blog: Getting Started
TheDenverChannel.com, CO - 10 hours ago
I keep hearing Oprah Winfrey in my head saying if there was a magic pill to weight loss, she'd have it. If the woman who can afford personal trainers and ...


Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin
Tulsa World, OK - 3 hours ago
Dear Reader: First, I would like to congratulate your granddaughter on her astonishing weight loss. Skin is very stretchy and often reshapes as weight is ...


That Happened!

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
That Happened!, New York - 22 hours ago
New York - Researchers have found that weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy. They found that women who had weight loss surgery before becoming ...


Weight-loss surgery beneficial for both mother and baby
TopNews, Arkansas - 6 hours ago
A recent research showed that weight-loss surgery not only increases the chances of pregnancy but it also reduces the risk of various complications in ...


Weight Loss Surgery Helps Obese Women Have Healthier Babies
New York Times, United States - Nov 19, 2008
By RONI CARYN RABIN Women who become pregnant after weight-loss surgery have easier pregnancies and healthier babies than do obese women who become pregnant ...


News Channel 7

Scale Down Weight Loss To Hold Free Seminar
News Channel 7, SC - 15 hours ago
Scale Down Weight Loss Programs will offer a free community seminar on December 4 at The Horizon Center in downtown Spartanburg. ...


PennLive.com

Radio show host inspires with weight loss
PennLive.com, PA - 16 hours ago
by ABIGAIL KETCHUM for Body & Mind As the host of WHP-580's morning show, Harris often shared his diet stories with listeners. ...


LETTER: Weight-loss obsession is harmful
Wausau Daily Herald, WI - 18 hours ago
What do we have to do to change this weight-loss frenzy into something more realistic, like self acceptance and health at any weight? ...


Weight Loss
TheStorygroup.com, GA - Nov 20, 2008
Try Our Wide Selection of Weight Loss Programs, Diet Pills or Fat Burner Plans Now! Great weight loss! Worth seeing! Top Offers. Check The Site for weight ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

Arcade Games | site map
© copyright NextAge Technologies Ltd @ 2006