What a fantastic website that is packed with free information, tips, and a Calendar of events filled with fun things to do!
-David P. Morrow
Sometimes there’s just nothing in the fridge or you really don’t want to cook. Remember that treating yourself to a restaurant meal doesn’t mean that you should forget about your health. It’s hard to control how food is cooked at restaurants, but there are some ways that you can make sure you’re getting the healthiest meal possible from your menu. The first rule-of-thumb: Limit your portion size, wrap up half of your order, and save it for tomorrow’s lunch. Next, check out these helpful tips for making good choices at the restaurant.
Pizza
Pizza can be delicious and nutritious, if you know what to order. Don’t order extra cheese and meaty toppings; instead try mushrooms, peppers, and other flavorful veggie toppings that will spice up your meal and deliver some vitamins. Watch out for special offers like breadsticks, cheesy crusts and dessert items. They might be free, but their fat and calories definitely count!
Chinese Food
Chinese food in America is notoriously high in saturated fat. The key to ordering healthy off of the Chinese food menu is to go for steamed dishes with lots of veggies and little fat. Try an order of steamed vegetable dumplings and mixed vegetable stir-fry with brown rice. Treat yourself to a fortune cookie but stay away from crunchy deep-fried toppings. Also go for low-sodium soy sauce if they’ve got it. You'll find that it tastes just like normal soy sauce, but has just a fraction of the salt!
Mexican Food
Hearty burritos with beans, rice and veggies can satisfy even the biggest appetite. Avoid hard tacos and nacho chips—they’re deep-fried and super fatty. Instead, try a soft taco with beans or fish, loaded up with rice, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. Do yourself a favor and hold the cheese and sour cream.
Delis and Sandwich Bars
A tasty sandwich is a great alternative to most greasy take-out options. Try a mixed vegetable sandwich with a low-fat mayo or dressing, or a veggie burger with lettuce and tomato. If you want, treat yourself to some baked potato chips to add some crunch, and chase it down with some sparkling water.
Sushi
Sushi is a great takeout option, but don’t assume that all kinds of sushi are good for you. Avoid sushi rolls with mayo (like spicy tuna or Alaska rolls), and go for more simple options that include just fish and/or vegetables. Substitute brown rice for the white rice they usually use, and you’re in for a truly nutritious treat.
Indian Food
In most cities you’ll find at least a few Indian restaurants, and pretty much all of them offer up delicious and spicy fare. Indian food can be quite oily, however, so make sure to watch what you order. Go for mixed veggie dishes with lots of rice, and take it easy on oily breads like nan and chapatti. Make sure to limit your portion size, and treat yourself to fresh fruit and tea for dessert.
Middle-Eastern, Turkish and Moroccan Food
Hummus, couscous and falafel are some of the fabulous foods that have come out of the Middle East. When ordering low-fat meals, go for tabouleh salads and hummus with fresh pita, or a falafel sandwich stuffed with veggies.
Italian Food
Although authentic Italian dishes tend to be quite light and fresh, Italian restaurants in the U.S. tend to clutter their menus with items loaded with oil, cheese and salt. Start with a fresh salad topped with low-fat dressing. Next, go for the pasta primavera, tossed with olive oil, fresh vegetables and a dash of parmesan cheese. Make sure to go easy on the wine. A single glass is good for you, but too much can cause you to gain weight and develop serious health problems.