Ok, so it's Friday and the weekend is about to begin. If you're like most people, this is an opportunity to relax, unwind from the work week, and to let someone else do your cooking.Before you grab your significant other and head out the door, here are a few tips to help you make a healthy choice when eating out. Remember, it's American Heart Month, so let's start developing healthy habits today that can carry into tomorrow.
When choosing a restaurant:
- Try to avoid restaurants that offer all-you-can-eat buffets or specials. You're more likely to eat more food (and more calories) than you need.
- If you're familiar with a restaurant's menu, decide what you're going to order before you go. This will help you avoid the temptation of ordering meals high in fat.
It's also important to understand what's on the menu. The good news: You can eat heart-healthy if you know what to look for.
Keep these tips in mind when trying to decipher the menu:
- Remember that foods served fried, au gratin, crispy, scalloped, pan-fried, sauteed, buttered, creamed or stuffed are high in fat and calories. Instead, look for steamed, broiled, baked, grilled, poached or roasted foods.
- If you're not sure how a certain meal is prepared or what ingredients it contains, ask your server.
- Choose entrees that feature chicken, seafood, or lean meat. If you order meat, remove all visible fat and ask the chef to remove the skin from the chicken.
- More restaurants these days are offering healthy alternatives. Check the menu for items marked "healthy", or ask the server what the healthiest choices on the menu are.
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