Eating While Out & About

Are you planning a summer trip? Or, do you just hate heating up the kitchen on a hot day? If so, eating out is likely in your future. Many of us feel entitled to splurge while eating out, especially if on vacation. Restaurant food (whether fast food or sit-down) will be higher in calories, fat, salt, & sugar than food prepared at home. However, there are ways to be sensible without sacrificing.

Tips:
- Plan what you will order in advance. This approach tends to help improve discipline.
- Consult the nutritional facts if available. This give you the opportunity to make healthier choices & not be fooled by "healthy sounding" menu items (see below).
- If you decide to choose richer foods, enjoy them in small quantities. Packing up the leftovers early can help defeat nibbling.
- Beware of sugary drinks & restaurant freebies. They're all often high in empty calories.
- Survey all buffet choices before selecting your food.
- To help compensate for the extra calories, eat lighter at other meals & be more physically active.

For more info & ideas, check out:
- Reader's Digest's Healthy Fast Food? Don't Be Fooled By These Popular Choices
- Reader's Digest's 25 Tips To Order Healthy Choices At Any Restaurant
- Yahoo Financially Fit's Best & Worst Fast Food Value Menu Items
- Yahoo Financially Fit's Are 'Healthy' Fast Food Options Really Better For You?

Attention dessert lovers! Check out Dave Zinczenko's (of Eat This, Not That fame) 10 Restaurant Desserts Under 400 Calories.