Going out for a meal with friends is a great time.
Nonetheless, research has shown a correlation between eating in restaurants and making poor food choices.
There are some suggestions that are provided in this article to assist you in making healthier choices when dining out.
THIS WILL AID YOU IN MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH AND SOCIAL LIFE.
TAKE A BREAK AND EAT SOMETHING GOOD BEFORE YOU GO:
If you arrive at a restaurant hungry, you may overeat. Eating a nutritious snack before you go can help. Yogurt, a low-calorie, high-protein snack, may help you feel full and avoid overeating.
HAVE SOME WATER BEFORE AND WHILE YOU EAT
Instead of sugary drinks, water is a great pre- and post-meal drink. Water helps cut calories and added sugar. According to one study, dieters who drank 500 ml of water 30 minutes before a meal ate fewer calories and lost 44% more weight.

TRY EATING MORE MINDFULLY
Mindful eating involves paying attention and making conscientious food choices. Restaurant food is healthier when eaten mindfully. It also improves self-control and prevents overeating.
PLACE YOUR ORDER FIRST BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DOES
Diners subconsciously imitate each other.
Other diners’ menu choices and eating habits can strongly impact one’s own.
Order first if you’re eating with people who might order unhealthy food.
START WITH A SALAD OR SOUP
A soup or salad before dinner can help you eat less. Soup before a meal reduces calorie consumption by 20%, according to studies. Soups of any kind are healthy.

SHARE WITH ANOTHER PERSON (OR ORDER A HALF PORTION)
Those who dropped weight and kept it off shared food or ordered half a portion when eating out, according to a research.
It helps in cutting calories and prevents overeating.
Ask the waiter to package half your food for you to take home if you don’t have anyone to share with.
STAY AWAY FROM SUGARY BEVERAGES
We consume too much sugar, which is unhealthy. Sugar-sweetened drinks provide unnecessary sugar. Sugary drinks are highly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. When eating out, sip water or unsweetened tea.
CHOOSE LOW-CALORIE MIXERS AND LITTLE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL TO DRINK
Alcohol increases meal calories.
The intensity and size of an alcoholic drink determine its calories. Ordering a small glass of wine or other drink can reduce calories. Instead of sugary drinks or fruit juice, blend gin, vodka, or whisky with a diet drink.
OPT FOR TOMATO-BASED SAUCES INSTEAD OF CREAMY ONES
To reduce the number of calories and fat in your meal, choose sauces with tomato or vegetable base instead of creamy or cheese base.
They’ll also increase the amount of nutritious vegetables in your diet.
BEWARE OF HEALTH CLAIMS
Restaurant menus may provide nutritional information. A meal may have the words “paleo,” “gluten-free,” or “sugar-free” emphasised. These classifications do not imply that a choice is always healthy. Some foods may include hidden sugars and fats to improve their flavour. For instance, agave nectar, which is frequently used in “healthy” meals, is at least as unhealthy as normal sugar.
There will be moments when you simply want to enjoy eating your favourite foods without considering whether they are healthy or not.
Better overall health and weight control are associated with having a flexible approach to your diet and food preferences.
It’s beneficial to consider how a meal fits into your diet as a whole.
Go ahead and pamper yourself if you generally stick to healthy food routines. Sometimes treating yourself can be beneficial for the soul.
Nourish Me by Monisha Ashokan will help you with meal prep. We are the best dietitian and nutritionist in India who offers valuable wellness services. We provide a dietary strategy for managing diabetes, PCOS, weight loss, weight gain, and other health-related issues. With the support of our incredible management staff, we enable you to permanently shift to a healthy lifestyle.