Eating Healthy When Eating Out

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Permission to reproduce given by the ICPA & Kelly Hayford, C.N.C.

How often you eat out or attend food-related social gatherings will determine how selective you need to be
at any given outing. If you eat out virtually every day of the week for example, you’re going to want to be
as prudent as possible, as much as possible, when making food selections. If you only go out to eat once
a month however, you can probably get away with eating whatever you like if you’re consistently eating
well at home.
Since eating outside the home a few times a month or even a few times a week is the case for most
people however, arming yourself with the following tips will help keep your intentions for good eating and
good health on track.
Social Gatherings: For social gatherings with family and friends, you can let your host or hostess know in
advance that you’re following a special diet. If it’s someone close to you and it feels comfortable, you may
like to share more details and even make special requests. You could also suggest bringing a dish to
share that you know you’ll be able to eat, so as not to have to trouble them with your particular needs. For
potlucks, you can similarly bring and eat a dish or two of your own.
Whether you’re planning to eat at a restaurant or attend a social gathering, another wise strategy is to eat
before you go. Doing so is especially helpful when you know you won’t have any control over what will be
served, and know there will be little, if any, healthy food available.
If you eat before you go, you can have a few nibbles when you get there without
causing a lot of damage, or you can just socialize and not eat at all. Either way,
plan in advance how you’ll deal with the situation and you’ll greatly increase your
chances of controlling it, rather than having it control you.
Eating at Restaurants: When it comes to restaurant dining you often have more
control over your food choices. You can patronize establishments that serve only
whole, fresh, natural foods as much as possible, for example. Fortunately, at least
in the more urban areas of the country, they seem to be popping up more and
more. And, whether you’re in a healthy restaurant or not, you can always choose
what to order and how much to eat once it arrives.
Try these tips to help you keep on track:

  1.  Order grilled vegetables instead of French fries, or fresh fruit instead of a sugary muffin or toast
  2.  Ask that the breadbasket or chips and salsa not be brought to the table as soon as you arrive
  3. Or, take a reasonable portion out of the basket and put it on your plate to keep you from mindlessly eating straight from the basket
  4. Drink a cup of herbal tea or a large glass of water before your order arrives
  5. Avoid appetizers before, and desserts after your meals
  6. Order a healthy appetizer or a dish from the children’s menu for your meal
  7. Order a main dish and big salad and split it with your dining companion
  8. Portion off your plate when it arrives
  9. Have your plate removed as soon as you’re satisfied
  10. Request that only half your order be brought to the table and have the rest doggie bagged

Don’t be afraid to assert yourself at restaurants. Remember that you’re paying them to serve you. Be pleasant, however. That way you’ll be more likely to get your requests pleasantly fulfilled. Have a ‘Planned Indulgence’ All of this talk about avoiding this, and switching this for that, reminds me of another wise guideline for eating out: on occasion, just go out and eat whatever you want, however much you want! Seriously. you don’t want to completely take the fun from dining out. It’s probably going to happen on occasion anyway, so you might as well give yourself permission rather than beating yourself up about it later. Please note,
however, that I said on occasion, preferably a rare occasion.

Planned indulgences aside, it’s best to limit the amount of time you eat out overall. The inclination to eat low-quality foods and more of them, is just too great when you’re eating out. Preparing foods at home, where you have total control over all ingredients, is always your best choice from a health and well-being standpoint, especially if you’re trying to manage your weight or reverse a health condition. Want more holistic insights and empowering resources?
Save 46% off your Pathways subscription when you visit
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Kelly Hayford, C.N.C. is the award-winning author of If It’s Not Food Don’t Eat It! As
a former chiropractic assistant and junk-food junkie turned nutrition and health coach,
Kelly has helped thousands restore their health, energy and natural weight.
For more information on Eating for Health including a FREE REPORT ~ Secrets to
Overcoming Unhealthy Food Cravings, visit: www.kellyhayford.com/report or call 209-
815-1444.