Eating out can be a fun and convenient way to get a good meal, but it often comes with a hefty price tag in terms of calories. Luckily, there are some clever tricks you can use to cut down on the amount of calories you consume when eating out.
From ordering simpler dishes to skipping the cocktails, read on for some tips that will help you enjoy your restaurant experience without overindulging.
Share a dish with a friend to cut down on portion size
If you’re trying to cut down on calories, one of the best things you can do is to share a dish with a friend. Not only will you end up eating less, but you’ll also save money. And who doesn’t love a good deal?
There are a few different ways you can go about this. If you’re at a restaurant that offers family-style portions, simply ask for an extra plate and divide the food between the two of you. If there’s no family-style option, ask your waiter if they can bring out half portions of whatever you’re ordering. Or, if all else fails, order an appetizer or entree and ask your friend if they want to split it with you.
Not only will sharing a dish help you cut down on calories, but it’ll also help you prevent overeating. When we’re presented with a large portion of food, we’re more likely to eat it all – even if we’re not actually hungry. But when we share a dish, we’re more mindful of how much we’re eating and are less likely to gorge ourselves. So next time you’re out to eat, remember: two heads are better than one – especially when it comes to portion control.
Order an appetizer as your main course
Just order an appetizer as your main course! It might sound strange, but it can actually be a great way to control your portions and save calories. By eschewing a hearty entrée in favor of a lighter starter, you can slash hundreds of calories off your meal without feeling deprived.
You’ll want to avoid high-calorie apps like fried calamari or anything drenched in cheese sauce. Baulkham Hills restaurant offers something fresh and inventive ways to curb your calorie intake, like a carpaccio or crudo, a Caprese salad, or vegetable-based soup. You can always supplement your meal with a side of steamed vegetables or a small green salad if you’re still feeling hungry.
Ask for no sauce on your food
Whether it’s a drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of ketchup, sauce can add a significant amount of calories to your meal without adding any substantial nutrition. In fact, a single tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories, and a tablespoon of ketchup has 19 calories.
By skipping the sauce, you can save yourself a significant number of calories without having to make any other changes to your order. Plus, you can always add your own sauce later if you find that your food needs a little extra flavor. So next time you’re out to eat, don’t be afraid to ask for your food sans sauce.
Split a dessert with a friend
Dessert is often the most tempting part of a meal, but it can also be the most calorie-dense. If you’re watching your weight, you might be tempted to skip dessert altogether. However, there’s no need to deprive yourself – simply split a dessert with a friend. This way, you’ll get to enjoy the sweetness without overindulging.
And if you’re really looking to cut calories, there’s no need to order an indulgent dessert in the first place. Weird but genius tricks like ordering a child’s portion or sharing an appetizer for dessert can help you save calories without sacrificing flavor. So next time you’re dining out, remember that splitting is caring – and it can also help you cut calories.
Drink lots of water throughout your meal
We all know that we should be drinking lots of water, but sometimes it’s easy to forget — especially when we’re out at a restaurant. Well, here’s a weird but genius trick to help you cut calories at restaurants: drink lots of water throughout your meal!
Not only will this help you stay hydrated, but it will also help you feel fuller, so you’ll end up eating less. And since water has zero calories, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of calories in the process. So next time you’re out at a restaurant, make sure to drink up!
Choose grilled, baked, or steamed dishes instead of fried ones
We all know that fried foods are not the healthiest option. They’re high in calories and fat, and can increase our risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions. But let’s face it: fried foods are delicious. They’re crispy, crunchy, and oftentimes, addictive. If you’re looking to cut back on calories but still want to enjoy your favorite fried foods, there are a few easy tricks you can use.
A Melbourne dietician for weight loss specialist recommends ordering grilled, baked, or steamed dishes instead of fried ones. This simple change can save you hundreds of calories. And if you’re at a restaurant where everything is fried, ask the server if they can grill or steam your food instead. You may be surprised at how accommodating they’ll be.
Skip the bread basket
While delicious, bread is often loaded with calories and fat. If you’re trying to cut down on calories, pass on the bread basket and save yourself hundreds of calories.
You can also ask for a doggy bag or take home box when your entrée arrives so you can wrap up half of it before you start eating. This way you’ll automatically be eating less and won’t be as tempted to overeat.
If you are at a buffet, fill your plate with mostly vegetables and then make a small mound of your favorite indulgence. By filling up on healthy foods first, you’re less likely to devour everything in sight.
Ask for sauces and dressings on the side so you can control how much you use
Most of us have been there before: you’re out at a restaurant, trying to be good and order a salad. But then, the waitress brings out the salad and it’s dripping in dressing. Or, you take a bite of your sandwich and realize that there’s so much mayo, you might as well have ordered a bowl of it.
If you’re trying to watch your calorie intake, these little slip-ups can quickly add up. But there’s an easy way to avoid them: just ask for sauces and dressings on the side. That way, you can control how much you use, and avoid accidentally going overboard.
It’s a small change that can make a big difference in your waistline. So next time you’re ordering a salad, remember to ask for the dressing on the side. Your taste buds (and your bikini) will thank you.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking to cut calories without sacrificing flavor, give some of these weird but genius tricks a try the next time you eat out. Who knows? You may even find yourself enjoying your meal more!
