What should I choose on the menu when I go to a restaurant?

Question

I have to eat out a lot for business and am putting on weight - help!

Answer 1

Fish, lean meat, salad? Try to avoid things with sauces as they usually contain butter. The simplest foods are often the best.

Answer 2

most people on here will say a salad, but to be fair, with the amount of sauces and dressings that these restaurants put on there salads... there really not much of a healthy/slimming meal. Try a chicken/prawn/tuna salad but ask for it without the dressing or even if you ask for the dressing to come in a serparate jug, then you can add your only... but only use a little! gammon with a bake potatoe is a good option... try to avoid eatting chips everytime you go for a meal and have a side salad instead (less the dressing!!) avoid desserts if you can, but just have a friut salad or low fat pudding if you must. Order smaller potions if that option is avalible, as i know some restaurants do....

Answer 3

Depends on the type restaurant you go to.
The better ones usually have something low cal on the menu.

I order salad with no-fat dressing on the side. No deep fried toppings. Cooked shrimp instead of deep fried chicken for topping. Don't eat the cheese. Your standard american and cheddar are loaded with fat and preservatives.

Save calories on drinks (i.e. unsweetened ice tea).
Don't get anything "smothered in cheese" or "savory sauce".

With grilled items it's a bit of a crapshoot, depending on how the chef prepares it. He could be adding butter or fat to make the meat juicy... But you should be okay with a grilled chicken breast or a grilled fillet mignon and steamed vegetables.

Don't get an appetizer or a desert and keep your hands out of the breadbasket.

Rule of thumb: if it's deep fried or pan fried, don't touch it. Anything that has breading around it is bad news.

Answer 4

You really shouldn't eat full course meals or anything you have to eat by touching the food with your hands... It doesn't look proper for business related outings. Don't eat the complimentary chips or bread... Just sip on water or your drink to keep your mouth busy, so you won't have the urge to munch on appetizers. Try to get a chicken salad or order fish or seafood... but nothing fried. Another good approach is to just order appetizers as your meal and ask if it could be brought in with the rest of the orders. Again, nothig fried or fatty. Or, you can ask if it's possible to order a simple fish or chicken fillet with just one side of greens or a cup of soup. Soup!!! You can't go wrong there... with a side of veggies... Also, don't order sodas... ask if they have juice or get tea. And like I even need to mention it: NO DESSERT!!! Good Luck!!! If you think you can't help yoursef, try to get some healthy things as much as possible and get an excercise routine going.

Answer 5

What I usually do is just order a starter in some restaurants as their starters is almost a normal sized meal.

If I chose a main meal, I never order a starter. Just drink water with the meal. Try to stick to something like grilled chicken breast with lots of veggies, not fill up on potatoes or bread (unless whole grain). Avoid fried foods

Avoid the 'white' carbs like white bread, pasta, white sugar and opt for whole gain if available.

Answer 6

I would say salad or something light. Ask for it without the dressing.
When you get your meal eat the veggies etc first, fill up on the good stuff first.
Try and drink lots of water as that will fill you.
Maybe even just order a starter as a main course.

Answer 7

If you know you're putting on weight, order something light, and drink lots of water as this can subdue hunger pangs. Chicken & fish dishes are best and try to avoid too many carb foods such as pasta & potato's. Don't be bullied into eating for eatings sake, it's your body first & formost - remember that!

Answer 8

Depending upon the type of restaurant, you can ask the specific types of dishes, which you may like, having lower calories. Or else u can ask the chef to make it lean.
I hope u are not eating only to give them company and as per the wish of others.

Answer 9

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if you’re trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you're consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity. Get a diet and fitness calculator that you can put on your computer or cell phone. This will allow you to easily calculate this formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Avoid “High Glycemic Load Carbs” (sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Here is an excellent food pyramid that anyone can follow: http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d

*3) Exercise on most days by doing cardiovascular training and/or resistance training activities.

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A good book to buy that teaches you the cardiovascular training basics is “Fitness for Dummies”.

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005”. A superb book to read is “You The Owner’s Manual”. An excellent periodic publication is the “Nutrition Action Health Letter”. A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com

Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier. Email me if you want a good indoor air purifier recommendation and if you have other questions.

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Answer 10

Eat chicken salads, and soups. Or just drink a large glass of water before you order and order appetizers instead of a full meal. If its not there to eat then there is no temptation.

Answer 11

Order 2 starters instead of a meal... :) (That's what I used to do, used to be a soup, and some sort of vegetable or meaty thing) Although you have to ask for the starters to be brought out with the main meal.