North Americans love dining out. I know it’s just great to have food with your loved ones and share some thought-provoking conversations over the drinks with your friends. Dining out is a great pass of time, but how do you know that anything you’re eating is healthy for you.
Well, if the restaurant is renowned or family-owned, then there’s less to worry about the quality of food. On the other hand, the fast foods and average restaurants do not merely care about your health. Most of them use processed foods and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms or Foods) to make a delicious looking dish that you would love.
If you’re a health conscious person, then this article is meant for you. In this article, we’ll be discussing about some simple ways to avoid eating unhealthy foods when you’re dining out.
Go Green Salads
Your salad at a restaurant should still be made up of healthy food. It’s pretty trendy to order the large salad when watching your weight, or while living a consistently healthy lifestyle. However, not all salads are good for your health.
For salads, the greener, the better. I often pick spinach or kale salads if they are a menu option. They are both excellent sources of vitamins A, C, E, K, B vitamins, and various minerals. Iceberg lettuce and romaine lettuce have similar nutrients; however you receive more nutrients in the darker greens.
Try and add healthy foods such as nuts, berries, and avocados to make your salad even healthier.
Avoid Processed Foods
It’s best to order the vegetarian options at most major restaurant chains. Why? Because a lot of the factory-raised chicken or beef you will find on your plate at restaurants isn’t real food, it’s processed and contains antibiotics, steroids, and growth hormones. It’s best to stick to more of the vegetarian options on the menu; however, don’t be tricked by the veggie burger, since it likely contains GMO soy.
Seafood is generally a better choice when dining out than chicken or beef. It would be best if your seafood is sustainably harvested and wild when you order.
No Sodas, Drink Water
A common trend between most fast food and restaurant chains is to serve carbonated beverages with your meal. This is a double-whammy when it comes to being wrong for your health. Carbonated and sugary drinks are loaded with chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine. Aspartame and caffeine are also known to lead to disease when added to soft drinks.
The best option for a healthy eating plan is to drink less than a cup of water, before or after your meal. This way, the water will help stimulate the digestive juices in your body.
Dress Down Your Meal
You may have dressed to impress; however, when it comes to the food in the restaurant, it might be wise to dress down. When it comes to salads, avoid creamy dressings and processed meat toppings such as bacon bits. Ask your server to bring you olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which you can add to your salad yourself and control the portion. Olive oil offers plenty of health benefits. It gives a personal touch to an otherwise man-made meal.
When you order sandwiches at a restaurant, consider getting dressings on the side. This way you control your meal, and how many calories, fat, and sugar you are putting into your body.
Ask for More Veggies
When you order your meal, it is a good idea to ask for triple the veggies you would normally receive on your plate. Some restaurants only provide veggies as a garnish, where adding more fresh vegetables helps you get more healthy food onto your plate.
Food preparation is also important when dining at restaurants. Ask your server how your food is prepared. It is best for your healthy food to be steamed, baked, or grilled. Cooking methods such as using the microwave or boiling decrease the nutrients within the healthy food.
Before you attend the restaurant, check online, not just to see what you’re going to order, but also what you won’t order.
