Dining

The Dining Out Dilemma: Top 5 Tips for Eating Healthy When Dining Out

Restaurants know the key to your heart is through your stomach.

While the food and drinks can be absolutely lip-smackingly delicious, eating at a restaurant can cause you to consume way more than your recommended calorie intake for the day.

According to research, an average meal when dining out is a whopping 134 calories more than the same meal prepared at home.

But the good news is that there are ways to eat out without throwing your diet plan out of the window. Read on to find out how to eat right even when dining out.

1. Start with a Game Plan

When choosing a restaurant, always plan ahead. If you choose a place without checking first, you might be setting yourself up for disaster before you even sit down.

Choose a restaurant that has a wide range of low-calorie menu items. Check the menu online beforehand, so that you have an idea of what they offer.

Try to make a reservation at a specific time. This will cut down on the amount of time waiting for a table and becoming hungrier and more inclined to indulge!

2. Order a Guilt-Free Meal

Before you even order your meal you might be tempted with a bread basket or tortilla chip bowl. Don’t give into temptation – save the calories for the main meal.

Many restaurants fluff up their menus with fancy sounding words, so you need to learn to crack the code before you order.

Anything that’s described as “creamy,” “breaded,” “buttery,” “smothered,” or “stuffed” is most likely full of calories. Words such as “grilled,” “broiled,” and “baked” indicate that the food is being cooked in a healthier way.

If going into a normal restaurant is too tempting, there are restaurants that only sell salads. Check out one of these eateries, like the amazing salad restaurant Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen. They have a huge selection of creative salads and more – it really will blow your mind!

3. Skip the Empty Calories

Drink water throughout your meal. This forces you to slow down while you eat and will allow you to judge your hunger pangs which can stop you from overeating.

If you’re celebrating something and you do need to have a drink, some options are better than others. Avoid sugary cocktails and get a glass of red wine instead. Or try vodka with club soda and a squeeze of lime.

4. The Proof Is in the Tasting

Before you even begin eating, ask for a “to go” box for the leftovers. To avoid the risk of temptation, you can even ask the server to put half of the meal into the box instead of onto your plate.

The “fork dip” method is a sneaky way to get a little taste of creamy dressings, without dolloping a huge amount onto your meal. Just ask for the dressing as a side, dip in your fork and away you go!

Another way to use your fork is to put it down between bites. This “rest time” will stop you from overeating, as you’ll be able to gauge your hunger level before you take another bite.

5. Finish Strong

When eating well, whatever you do, don’t order dessert! Even a tiny piece of cake could add 400 or more calories to your meal.

When you’re done, pop a mint in your mouth. This will help you to clear your palette and stop you from taking another bite of your meal.

Dining out Healthily

As you can see, dining out healthily can be done. All you need is a game plan and a sprinkle of determination.

If you’re trying to lose weight and your fad diet isn’t working, read this article on how to start eating healthy and lose weight, without the dreaded diet.

3 Kinds of Dining Room Tables that Never Go Out of Style

Planning to redecorate your dining room?

The focal point of the room, due to its function, is the table. If you’re not sure what kind of table you want to get, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll look at dining room tables that never go out of style, and when you might want to use them. The style, of course, starts with the shape, and there are three shapes that offer timeless popularity:

Remember that some tables are convertible–for example, rectangular tables can become square tables, and round tables can become rectangular–with rounded ends. The type of table you choose will be dictated in part by the available space, but also by your goals.

If you have a small dining area…

For small areas, a rectangular dining table might simply look too large, even if it actually fits in the space. A square or round table might better suit your needs.

The number of people you’d like to sit can help determine what size table you choose. A square or round table tends to look smaller in the room than a rectangular table.

If your dining room is narrow…

Many dining rooms are built as off-shoots of the kitchen or living room. For this reason, they may be quite narrow.

A round or square table in a narrow room will either look too large or too small. For narrow rooms, a rectangular table is best.

If you want to facilitate conversation…

Have you ever sat down at a long table, only to find that you converse with the people on either side of you and across from you, and no one else? In fact, you might not even talk to anyone at the other end of the table unless you need the salt.

And if the table is that big, two salt shakers (or more) may be necessary anyway.

If you want to get people to talk to one another, a round table is your best bet. Everyone can see others’ faces.

In the middle ages, dining tables were often large and round. Maybe this is where the notion of the knights of the round table came from–King Arthur would have been able to see and speak with all of his knights while they dined.

If you want a modern look…

For modern, there’s no table shape like a square. The only downside to square tables is that they tend to seat fewer people than the rectangular or round.

For a modern every-day look with the option to seat larger groups, a square table that can convert to a rectangle with leaves may be your best option.

Legs, Pedestals, Decor, and Materials

There are other elements to take into consideration. Do you want legs around the end of your table or a pedestal in the middle? Do you want simple lines or ornate carvings?

What kind of materials do you want your table made out of? Stone is heavy and formal. Glass is light and formal. Wood is a great choice for everyday use and function, and it can be gorgeous depending on the type of wood and stain you choose.

No matter which dining table you choose, if you put some thought into it ahead of time, you’re sure to love your new dining area.