Avoid temptation when eating out
Ever scan a menu and visualise all your good intentions of sticking to a healthy diet fly out the window? We've come up with seven handy ways to stay on track when temptation abounds.
Playwright Oscar Wilde once famously said, "I can resist everything except temptation." It's easy to feel the same way when scanning the menu at a restaurant and seeing all the indulgent options pop out! When temptation is rife, here are some tricks you can try to keep it at bay:
1. Reward good restaurants with your patronage.
Many restaurants are starting to embrace healthier menus, so support them and stop frequenting places that don't offer healthy options. Make your desires known to restaurant management, commend them when they get it right, and make sure you're trending in a healthy direction!
2. Favour water.
You've probably heard the adage "don't drink your calories," but it's true. Make it a rule that you'll only consider another drink once you've first drank a full glass of water. This will ensure you quench your thirst before you fill yourself up with other things. Plus, it'll keep your body stocked with life-giving H20.
3. Make healthy alternatives your new standard.
Dismiss the deep-fried chips and be adventurous with veggies - some grilled aubergine, stir-fried veggies or baked sweet potato wedges may just become your new favourite side. If you feel like starch, opt for brown rice or plain baby potatoes.
White bread can also easily be replaced with rye or whole-wheat bread, so don't be shy to ask your waitron about choices.
4. More grill, less grease.
Fish, seafood, and chicken are healthier options than red meat (beef and lamb), but not if it's battered and fried. Opt for foods prepared with healthier cooking methods, like those grilled, poached or steamed.
5. Cut out condiments and flirt with new flavours.
Avoid slathering your food with extras like cheese, tomato sauce or dressings and dips that are full of calories, salt and sugar. A little fresh lemon or chopped chili can do the trick! Else, be adventurous and find flavoursome foods from around the world - be it Lebanese, Vietnamese, Indian or Mozambiquan - that experiment with different fresh herbs and spices than you're used to.
6. Don't eat more than the portion size your body needs.
Some restaurants offer servings far bigger than you need for one meal. If your serving looks like too much when it first arrives, share it with a friend or ask for a takeaway container. If you pack the extra food away before you start your meal, you'll keep yourself from eating it after you're full just because you're distracted, bored or because it seems more social.
7. Think twice about dessert.
If you're full after your main course, stop there. Don't peruse the dessert menu if you don't really want any, just because someone else is having. If you do have dessert, ask for something healthier, like a fresh fruit salad, instead of caramel or sticky toffee pudding.