Restaurant Reboot

Cooking your own food offers many benefits including the ability to choose healthier ingredients & preparation methods. (Restaurant foods tend to be higher in fat, salt, sugar while lower in whole grains, fruits & vegetables, low-fat dairy, etc.)

However, eating out occasionally doesn't have to derail your health or weight goals. Here are some tips:
- If available, consider the nutritional information. (It might be online, hanging up, printed in a brochure, or listed on the menu or menu board.)
- Restaurants portions are often much bigger! So, remember portion control.
- Without even realizing, drinks can add lots of extra calories. Limit the sugary or alcoholic beverages you consume.
- Learn how to decipher "menu-speak" (e.g., is sauteed or lightly crispy a healthy choice?).
- Request substitutions (e.g., fruit instead of fries; dressing on the side; less, light, or no mayo; etc.).
- Be cautious of restaurant freebies (e.g., chips & salsa, breadsticks, etc.).

For more detailed tips & ideas, check out:
- American Heart Association's Dining Out (tips for choosing & ordering from restaurants; deciphering menus; etc.)
- Cooking Light's Eat Healthy While Dining Out (healthy breakfast, lunch, snack & drink recommendations; etc.)
- Choose My Plate's Tips for Eating Healthy When Eating Out (list)
- WebMD's Healthy Eating When Dining Out (slideshow)