It's a fact of life that if you're trying to lose weight (even if you're not) you will now and then get bored with the everyday meals you are preparing for yourself, and hanker after a nice meal out.
But then, your doctor has probably advised you not to eat restaurant foods as they will lead to excessive weight gain. Well, like all things connected with dieting and losing weight there is an answer, you just have to go about it the right way.
As a very rough, general guide to start with. If a food tastes really good, chances are it has been prepared richly and probably fried (we love fried foods don't we?). Unsurprisingly, raw fruits and vegetables, which usually don't have the same apeal for most of us, are some of the best foods for fast weight loss.
Here are a few tips to help you out:
1) Try to visit vegetarian restaurants for a change. This will help you avoid the foods that are really going to pile the pounds on. Doesn't mean that non-vegetarian places are necessarily bad for you, it's just more difficult to avoid high fat/calorie foods in those places.
2) The chicken served in most restaurants contains large amounts of fat, which makes it tasty to be sure, but is not good for losing weight. Lean chicken is an excellent diet food, and you are more likely to get this in salad bars.
3) Talking of salad bars, yes great choice for those of us wishing to lose those extra pounds. BUT, beware of the salad dressing. Better leave it altogether. Most of them are high fat, high calorie, completely negating the effect of eating salad in the first place. Tell your server no dressing.
4) Buffets, oh yes, marvellous, but the enemy of all dieters. Many of the foods available at buffets are high in fats and calories, often fried in oil. Avoid buffets at all costs, especially the all-you-can-eat kind. Do I really have to explain that one? If you really must go to a buffet place choose the healthier alternatives and salads.
5) Check and control your portion sizes. If you think the amount provided is in excess of your portion requirement then just eat your portion and take your leftovers home for the following day. Most places are happy to pack your leftovers for you. Another good tip is to order the childs meal.
It's really all about common sense and discretion. So go ahead, have that meal out. Just apply these tips and you won't put on weight or feel guilty.
