When on diet or just motivated to eat healthy, many people
try to avoid eating out. Sometimes people are even forced to eat out due to
business, social and other work-related reasons.
No need to stress about eating out or eating ‘unhealthy’
dishes just for keeping up the pretences not to embarrass or insult guests or
business partners.
By choosing wisely and correctly, you can still eat out and
even eat healthier than at home. Here is some tips:
Starters and light
meals
·
Chose salads with no dressing or mayonnaise
·
Avoid bacon, croutons, and cheeses. Smoked
chicken, smoked salmon, tuna or seafood, Greek, etc. are good alternatives.
·
Enjoy stock-based soups or thick vegetable soups
with no cream garnish.
·
Fruit cocktails, melon balls or fruit platters
are very healthy
Main course
·
Try to avoid combination dishes such as lasagna
or mousaka because such dishes are often made with sauces, which are usually
high in fat. Order plain separate food items, such as grilled fish, baked
potato and steamed vegetables.
·
Pastas with tomato-based sauce are advisable.
·
Order your pizza with half the cheese or even
with no cheese - have toppings like tomato (fresh or sun-dried), onion, green
pepper, garlic, chili, mushrooms, asparagus, ham, pineapple, banana,
chicken, sprinkling of feta, spinach,
olives, egg, tuna, anchovies, seafood. Best is to avoid salami, bacon, sausage,
mince and cheese. A sprinkling of feta with the above fillings and no
mozzarella is very tasty.
·
Steak is good, but then it must be plain – no
sauces. Best is to choose a fillet, sirloin or T-bone rather than a rump. It is
often a good idea to order the ladies’ portion
·
Choose grilled or poached fish rather than a
fish in a batter and have the white, lower fat fish like hake, sole, etc.
rather than the oily fish like salmon, mackerel, etc. Grilled seafood is also a
good option without the mayonnaise’s or tartar sauce.
·
Vegetarian food is generally very healthy but is
often fried or covered in cheese sauces. Ask questions and try to avoid oily,
fatty cheeses!
·
Go for steamed rice, baked or steamed vegetables
instead of chips, fried rice or roast potatoes with your meal. Avoid sauces and
gravies
·
Sushi is a popular low fat option.
Dessert
The following can be recommended:
·
Cappuccino with a milk froth (skimmed or low fat
preferably)
·
Crème caramel
·
Frozen yogurt
·
Fruit salad with yoghurt
·
Sorbet or low fat ice cream
Just as at home, you can even manage the sizes of the
portions on your plate – it is your money and any restaurant will honour your
requests.
