7 Dining-Out Tips From Lose It! Members
7 Dining-Out Tips From Lose It! Members
Optimize Your Restaurant Experience
Dining out can be a challenge when trying to stick to a weight loss plan. However, with the right strategies, you can enjoy a restaurant meal without compromising your goals. Lose It! members share their top tips for dining out, and we’ve broken them down below.
1. Review the Menu Beforehand
Reviewing the menu before heading out to a restaurant is key, according to Lose It! members. This provides an opportunity to identify healthy meal options that align with your preferences and weight loss goals. It also stops you from being tempted or persuaded by others to order menu items that could derail your progress.
Why It Works: This strategy allows you to plan ahead and make informed decisions about your meal choices, reducing the likelihood of impulse ordering and staying within your calorie budget.
2. Skip the Bread
Many Lose It! members manage to eat mindfully at restaurants by skipping the bread – or, better yet, asking the server not to bring it out. Eating just one piece of bread with olive oil or butter can be up to 300 calories you didn’t plan for.
Why It Works: Skipping the bread reduces the temptation to overindulge in high-calorie additions and helps you stay focused on your meal goals.
3. Take Half Your Meal to Go
Restaurant portions are typically two to eight times larger than the ones most people eat at home. To manage this, Lose It! members suggest taking half of their meal home in a to-go box. One member also recommends boxing up the other half of your meal as soon as it is served.
Why It Works: Taking half your meal to go encourages mindful eating, which research shows helps you become more attuned to your hunger cues. Having a smaller portion in front of you also reduces the temptation to overindulge just because it’s on your plate.
4. Order Smaller Plates
Research shows that the amount of food on our plate affects how much we eat. Some Lose It! members manage their portions when eating out by ordering smaller plates off the menu, such as a la carte items, appetizers, or kid’s meal items.
Why It Works: Smaller plates provide portion control that doesn’t require any willpower, making it easier not to overeat. This strategy also offers flexibility and variety, allowing you to customize your meal and select a variety of items that fit your dietary preferences and goals.
5. Order a Salad and Bring Your Own Dressing
Many Lose It! members say they order a salad when dining out, which can support weight loss goals. A well-balanced salad also contains nutrient-rich ingredients such as leafy greens, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Why It Works: Salads are generally lower in calories compared to many other restaurant options, and bringing your own dressing can reduce hidden calories. For a simple dressing, consider making your own vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar.
6. Drink Water
Sweetened drinks and alcoholic beverages can add a lot of extra calories to your meal without providing nutritional value. Instead, Lose It! members advise sticking to water when dining out.
Why It Works: Water is calorie-free and can help control appetite by promoting a feeling of fullness. Drinking water before a meal can also increase your satiety and reduce your likelihood of overeating.
7. Plan for the Extra Calories and Enjoy
Lastly, another weight loss tip Lose It! members swear by is to plan for the extra calories you may consume while eating out and then allow yourself to truly enjoy them.
Why It Works: Planning ahead allows you to budget your calorie intake more effectively, and allowing yourself to indulge on occasion prevents feelings of deprivation. This strategy works because it’s about creating sustainable habits that you can maintain over the long term, not just about short-term restrictions.
Conclusion
By incorporating these strategies into your dining-out routine, you can maintain your weight loss progress while still enjoying the experience. Remember to plan ahead, make informed decisions about your meal choices, and stay focused on your goals.
FAQs
Q: How can I stick to my diet when eating out?
A: Plan ahead by reviewing the menu before you go, and make informed decisions about your meal choices.
Q: What’s the best way to manage portion sizes when eating out?
A: Order smaller plates, such as a la carte items, appetizers, or kid’s meal items, or take half your meal home in a to-go box.
Q: Should I avoid bread when eating out?
A: Yes, skipping the bread or asking the server not to bring it out can help you stay focused on your meal goals and reduce the temptation to overindulge.
Q: How can I make sure I’m staying hydrated when eating out?
A: Drink water throughout your meal, and consider drinking water before your meal to help control your appetite.
Q: Can I still enjoy myself while eating out and sticking to my diet?
A: Absolutely! Plan for the extra calories you may consume, and allow yourself to indulge on occasion to prevent feelings of deprivation.
