How to Eat Healthy Meals Outside the Home

In the new age of watching weight, counting carbs, and struggling to eat well every day, eating out has taken a massive hit. It seems like it's impossible to eat a nutritious meal out of the home. This is not the case. In fact, there are many simple things you can do to guarantee a healthy, delicious meal out. Many restaurants recognize the growing shift toward healthy living and make it very easy for their customers to eat healthy meals.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things to Try

1. Look for specially marked meals. Many restaurants now offer special sections on their menus for health-conscious customers. If there isn't a special section, not to worry. There are still many ways to order regular menu items, and keep them healthy.

2. When ordering, request that your meal be cooked using vegetable oil. Many restaurants are accommodating to this request, and it will help keep the meal on the healthy side. Ask for other healthy alternatives, like margarine instead of butter. If the waiter brings out bread, limit your intake and keep the butter to a limited amount, if not just skipping it altogether.

3. Many foods feature gravies, sauces or spreads. These add up very quickly on the calorie and fat scales. There is a simple solution that still allows you to enjoy them. Ask for any of these kinds of items to be served on the side. This will let you control the quantity. Use them sparingly, and you will have a healthier and delicious meal.

4. Avoid dishes that feature fried, stuffed or pan-fried elements. Instead, find dishes that feature foods that have been broiled, baked, steamed, grilled or roasted. If a menu item features food prepared in one of the unhealthy ways, request that a substitution be made. For instance, ask for your chicken to be grilled rather than fried.

5. Skip the foods that are high in sodium. If the information isn't there, just ask that the dish be prepared without use of MSG or heavy salt. If you're ordering chicken, steak or other forms of meat, ask that any visible fat be cut off prior to cooking. This will make your meal leaner and thus healthier.

6. Request nutritional information. Many fast food chains now post their nutritional information, but if you find that yours doesn't, just ask for it. There is usually a pamphlet or some other document that lists the nutritional values for all of the products. This will help you make an informed decision when choosing your meal. Nutritional information can also be found on many fast food chains' websites.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're going to a fast food restaurant, bring a limited amount of money. This will prevent impulse ordering. Write down what you want to order before you go. This can also help. Replace heavy dressings with vinaigrettes or light oils.

• Don't be fooled by seemingly healthy dishes. Often, salads can prove extremely unhealthy. The heavy dressings and loaded trimmings can add up quickly. Sometimes the healthiest looking choice is actually the worst thing on the menu.