RSS
Home
Eat healthy when you’re dining out
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
Courtesy of AP
There are many of great restaurants in the Twin Cities and more opening up every month. And especially with the warm weather and so many patios and rooftops open, we’re spending a lot of time eating out. But how do you order a healthy meal without feeling like Meg Ryan’s character in When Harry Met Sally?
Keep a few things in mind when looking at a menu:
- Words like fried, sautéed, au gratin, and crispy all equal the same thing: high fat, high calories. Looks for meals that are baked, roasted, poached, stir-fried, steamed, grilled, or baked.
- Ask for salad dressings or other sauces to be served on the side – it’s easier to control the amount that ends up on your food
- Portion control is key – what’s good in moderation often isn’t in larger proportions. Know what a serving size looks like. Upon receiving your meal, separate at least half and put it off to the side. If temptation is still too great, ask for a to-go box with your meal and put the leftovers out of sight immediately.
- Ask your server what type of low-calorie dessert they could provide that might not be on the menu. I once told a server that I was craving fresh fruit even though the restaurant didn’t offer it on the menu. He returned with a tasty plate of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries with a small scoop of sorbet.
- Beware of foods high in salt, such as many soups and deli meats.
- Seafood and chicken are great lean protein sources. If you are going to choose red meats, choose lean cuts like round, sirloin, flank steak, or tenderloin.
For more information on how to order out and stay healthy, check out the American Heart Association Web site or the National Institutes of Health suggestions on their Web site.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Although the fungi often get a bad rap, there are some definite health benefits to eating mushrooms. They’re a versatile addition to salads, …
September 7-12 is Suicide Prevention Week. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United …
