Top Tips for Eating Out

by Registered Dietitian, Andrea Holwegner | Sep 16, 2011

By Andrea Holwegner, Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc.

• Check fast food and major franchises for nutrient listings on their website
• Look for terms that may signal healthy choices:
  • Symbols
  • Heart smart/Healthy pick
  • Steamed, roasted, poached, tomato juice/sauce, in its own juice, broiled, garden fresh
• Watch out for:
  • Buttery, creamy, gravy, Hollandaise sauce, fried, tempura, crispy
• Beware of marketing: “Fat Free” does not mean “Calorie Free”
• Watch out for alcohol…it stimulates your appetite!
• Choose healthy, low or no calorie beverages such as water, soda water with lime, juice, juice and soda water mixed together or tomato juice. Many restaurants serve 0.5L to 1L portions of pop. Say no to the free refills!
• Request the sauces and spreads on the side
• Substitutions?
  • Substitute fries for salad or soup
  • Ask for double the veggies and ½ the rice/starch
• Make sure you don’t arrive too hungry. Have a small snack to help you make a sensible choice when you arrive.
• Eat less! Most restaurants will serve you a much larger portion than you would ever serve yourself at home.
  • Order a lunch size rather than supper size
  • Ask for a ½ portion?
  • Take the leftovers home for your lunch the next day!
  • Keep in mind:
    • 1 cup pasta/rice = 2 grain servings; 1 bagel= 3 grain servings; 1 foot-long sub bun= 6 grain servings; 1 cup juice= 2 fruit servings;
    • Palm of your hand – likely a good portion of meat for you
    • Size of your fist – likely a good portion of starch/grains for you

The Big Picture

• Restaurant and fast food meals are often high in calories; high in fat – especially saturated/trans fats; high in sodium and low in vegetables and fruit.
• If you eat out regularly you need to plan to make healthy choices.
• If you eat out only occasionally don’t worry about it – have what you like! All foods can fit!