Just plan a little...

With the spring weather upon us we are more likely to get out and about with family and friends which often leads to eating out. Eating out can derail even the most determined healthy eater without a little planning!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind...

You can go out to dinner and still eat healthfully. Just remember to plan ahead. Visit the restaurant's online menu and decide ahead of time what you want to order so that you bypass those last-minute temptations. Avoid anything that is sautéed or pan fried. Instead, order your food grilled, steamed, baked, broiled or poached.

Determine how much you're willing to eat before looking at the menu. You can give yourself some leeway by scheduling some exercise on or near days you plan to eat out. Putting in gym time or going for a brisk walk will help offset a little extra eating.



You're paying good money for that meal, so you're entitled to make special requests or slight modifications. Why not say:

• Can I have that without butter? Grilled? With the sauce on the side?
  
  
• I'd like mixed greens instead of fries with my sandwich.

Salad bars and garden salads grace menus across the country. But those extra toppings can sabotage your seemingly diet-conscious choices:

• Go light on croutons, grated cheese and bacon.
  
  
• Opt for small amounts of low-fat or nonfat dressings on the side.