Is it possible to enjoy dining out without busting out of your Chloé red patent leather mini skirt? Yes, you can indulge in the pleasures of the table and stick to your healthy eating plan, avoid feeling “stuffed,” and savor the flavors of a finely prepared meal if you follow these simple tricks:
1. Pre plan:
Decide what you want before you get to the restaurant. All eateries, even the finest establishments in New York and LA, post their menus online. Knowing what you plan on ordering before you get to the restaurant keeps you from being tempted by “menu reading” once you are there. In fact, wave the menu away and tell your service person you know what you will be having. That way there’s no chance you’ll add on extra appetizers or give in to a fat-laden dish.
2. Get the fat out:
While you’re perusing the menu, stick to items with “grilled” “broiled” or “roasted” in the title – “fried”, “pan fried” and “sautéed” often signal the heavy use of oil and butter.
3. Small indulgences:
Appetizers at high end restaurants are often very small – this is your chance to order something special, like a caviar beggar’s purse, or duck salad, without getting too many calories. Share your started with your date – and cut calories in half. Feeding each other is fun and sets a certain mood…
4. “Start” your main course:
Consider ordering two appetizers as your main course. Smaller portions mean smaller calories. A note, however: avoid appetizers at chain restaurants – they tend to be large and high fat.
5. Enjoy every bite:
Don’t ignore your companion, of course. But do savor your food. Be conscious of every mouthful and eat slowly. You’ll feel more satisfied.
6. Banish the basket:
Pass on the bread – by the time you’ve scarfed down a few slices you might not feel hungry – but believe me you’ll eat your dinner when it comes anyway.
7. Curb the cocktails:
Order sparkling water with lemon or lime as soon as you sit down and sip on it as if it was a calorie-heavy alcoholic cocktail. Request that your glass of wine, if you are having one, be brought with the main course. If you have wine before dinner chances are you’ll have a couple more throughout the meal – piling on several hundred calories. The same theory goes for ordering a whole bottle – because you and your date will most likely drink the whole thing.
8. Take a bite:
You can have your cake and eat it too if you make it one forkful. Order the chocolate torte, take a bite and push it away. Let the gelato melt after the first spoonful.
9. Cap it off with basic black:
Whether you’re info full octane Joe or decaf skip the cappuccino and order espresso or black coffee to end your meal.
10. Walk it off:
No time like right after dinner for a romantic stroll – and you might burn a few calories.
