Eating Out Reminders...

You can go out to dinner and still eat healthy. Just remember to plan ahead. Visit the restaurant's online menu and decide ahead of time what you want to order to avoid those last minute temptations.

Avoid anything on the menu that is sautéed or pan-fried. Instead, order your food grilled, steamed, baked, broiled or poached. Ask questions about the food on the menu. If the kitchen can't tell you how something was prepared or what the ingredients are, then stay away.

Cram for tonight's dinner. Many eateries post their entire menu online so you can print it out for reference. If you often eat at "mom and pop" type restaurants that aren't online, call and ask for the menu to be faxed to you, or pick up a takeout menu on your next visit. Highlight the healthiest options for each menu and store them all in a central location. Then, when you are planning your next night out, take the time to decide on your dishes at home before you've been tempted by the sight of other choices.

Modify the menu. In my neck of the woods, anything and everything can be batter-dipped and fried, so I make special requests all the time. Many restaurants will take your dietary needs into account so you'll be a happy customer and return. Don't hesitate to request anything on the menu to be prepared in a more diet-friendly and for sauces or dressings to be served on the side. It's not likely that you will be denied.

 "Wrap it up, I'll take it!" You know you're at a nice restaurant when the server takes your plate away and wraps up your leftover food for you at the end of the meal. (And if you're in a really nice restaurant, you'll get the eating out equivalent of a balloon animal -- the tin foil swan!) To ensure you don't leave sans swan, keep temptation at bay and ask the server to wrap up half of your as soon as it is served.

For a few more tips and tricks click here...