Are those desserts tempting you at the end of a meal...or are you a savory girl who can't resist a fried entree?
What ever your weakness, eating out is never easy when you're trying to watch the waistline but these tips will help you think before you splurge:
1. Don't go out on an empty stomach. Always have something 30 mins before you head out to prevent those unnecessary orders like multiple entrees and dips with bread. Try a few multi-grain crackers with some reduced fat cheese - 2 will do it.
2. Drink water and limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is a toxin to the body and will be burnt off first. This means if you eat lots of fat while drinking - you'll store it straight away while your body uses the alcohol for energy first. Water will fill you up and prevent you eating too much. It also makes you move more - getting up and going to the toilet that is...
3. Stay away from creamy dishes (includes curries based on coconut cream, white sauce and cheese sauces), butter or oil on bread, vegetables or salads. As for this on the side so you can add it yourself.
4. Eat slowly.Ramming your food down will make you eat more then you need and make you feel stuffed and terrible at the end of the night. Take your time and imagine someones watching you eat. You don't want to look like a pig!
5. Watch your portions. Don't go to an all you can eat buffet arrangement. The 'value for money' psychology comes into play and you eat until you feel you have achieved it. Stick to one meal only that has variety and which is going to leave you feeling satisfied. If you really want the chocolate dessert - share it with whoever you're out with. 1/2 is always better then having the lot.
6. Always get skim milk in your coffee...I can't stress this one. It's easy and saves you on the energy. Don't be fooled by thinking that you can have that biscuit because you've gone skim though....that's a no no. Cut the replacement analogies please.
7. Think vege when you can. Include as many veg as you can in everything you can. These will help to fill you up and contain lower amounts of energy provided they haven't been saturated in sauces and oil. Ask for those on the side.
8. If you have finished dinner and are contemplating dessert, why not go for a walk to find another venue. By the time you find another place you my not even feel like it.
Write these points down and keep them in your purse/bag.
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