1. Consider the restaurant options.
Though in certain situations you can't pick the restaurant you're eating at, if you do have a say, speak up! The nutritional profile of different cuisines vary greatly, and it's much easier to find a healthy meal in some places than others; for instance, ethnic cuisines like Japanese and Indian are healthier than American BBQ joints or steakhouses. But if you're really jonesing for typically heavier fare, that's totally okay too- every type of food can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. The key is only going to those places when you're actually craving it, not just because it's easy.
| Incredible vegetable jalfrezi at Saravanaa Bhavan |
As I mentioned above, most restaurants now put their entire menu online. Use it! Even if you're trying to eat healthy, it's incredibly disappointing to get to a restaurant and realize that the only non-fried thing on the menu is a pile of iceberg lettuce and dry croutons. I personally like to use restaurant websites to determine which menus are the most suitable to my health and dietary preferences. I'll usually check to make sure they have veggie burgers or meat-free entrees; if not, I check out the salad, appetizer and side options to see if I can craft a meal from those. If you're still not having any luck, you can call the restaurant ahead of time and see if they're able to accommodate your dietary preferences- I've never done this, but I've heard from several people that it's generally not a big deal.
| Live zucchini-heirloom lasagna at Candle 79 |
I always feel like a major pain in the butt doing this, but it's completely okay to ask your waiter how certain things are prepared and exactly what's in them. They'd rather tell you up front, then have you send a dish back because it's not what you expected. If something seems appealing but you'd prefer it without bacon/cooked in olive oil instead of butter/steamed instead of fried, very kindly ask your waiter what they can do for you. If the restaurant staff does go to extra measures to accommodate you, be sure to leave a fair tip, as well- they've earned it!
| One of the best "makeshift meals" I've had- roasted squash and brussel sprouts at The Smith |
This is the area I struggle with the most, but just because you're eating out, it doesn't mean you have to finish every bite on your plate. I'm wary of the "only eat half" advice and the "don't touch the bread basket" rule because they feel restrictive and counter-intuitive to me, but remember that being uncomfortably full is never a good feeling. Put your fork down every few bites and re-evaluate your hunger, lest the social environment (or wine) is what's encouraging you to keep eating!
| My tofu steak and Mike's river stone Kobe beef at Megu |
Eating out is meant to be a fun experience. I love trying new restaurants and experimenting with new dishes, and while I always try to keep my healthy habits in mind, I think it's more important to relax a bit and enjoy yourself than to stress over the food. Dig into the warm bread basket. Order your favorite drink. Get dessert, if you're in the mood for it. Over time, refusing yourself these things only leads to anxiety and a feeling of deprivation. If the majority of your diet is comprised of whole, healthy foods, some oil and cream really won't kill you. In fact, I wholeheartedly believe that their deliciousness is actually good for you- mentally, of course :)
| My all-time favorite dessert: the raw mint chocolate sundae at Pure Food & Wine |
