Eat Out and Still Lose Weight (12 Tips)

…12 tips to keeping your weight loss on track while eating out!

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CES—Level 1 Certified Precision Nutrition and Certified Personal Trainer

I am going to be honest with you…

When I go out to eat—be it my favorite restaurant or some side of the road run-down diner—I want it to be pretty special.

Unfortunately, I don’t get to eat out very often.  Not because I don’t want to…

…but because most restaurant meals are heavy on both price and calories! And for those who are trying to lose weight—or those who are trying to keep their wallet from becoming skinny.

Now, in your quest for losing weight, you may have discovered some tips to shaving unwanted calories from restaurant meals.

But face it:

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Are you going to spend a week’s paycheck for a salad with no dressing or having them “box half your meal” before it reaches the table?

I am going to go out on a limb and say NO you’re not!

Well I have great news for you:

I am about to unload 12 tips that will shave calories from your meal—all without sacrificing eating your favorite restaurant foods!

12 Tips for Cutting Calories While Eating Out

The statistics are in: On average, people eat out at restaurants or diners at least four days per week.

And, if you’re one of those people, then you may have noticed your waistline has ballooned!  So the question remains: How can you eat out while still watching your weight and your waistline?

Well you can!  If you follow these 12 tips, then you can still enjoy your favorite restaurant meals while keeping your flat-belly dreams alive:

1. No to the SUPER Size

Have you ever noticed the size of the plates when a waiter walks by?  Or when your plate finally reaches the table?

The size of your meal is usually enormous!  So there is no need to “super-size” your meal if you’re given the option!

A typical meal usually is enough for TWO days-worth of meals!  Save yourself a ton of calories by splitting your meal with your loved one or with a friend!

Not only are you going to cut the calories of the meal in half…

…you’re also going to cut the cost of your meal as well!  If you’re serious about your weight loss, then you need to skip out on the super-sizing.

2. Skip Out on the House Bread

Many family-style restaurants serve bread as a way to start off before a meal.

But should you eat the bread?  One would think not.   Unless it is some sort of fancy bread (stuff you can’t buy in the store) or a really healthy load of bread, you should skip out on the bread before your meal.

Plus, the toppings (think butter) add even more calories to your meal, which could easily put you on the road to weight gain.

TIP = = > How to Turn Your Dessert into a Fat-Burning Super Snack

3. Stop Getting Soft Drinks

One easy way to add a tremendous amount of calories to your meal is by adding soft drinks, fruit juice, or lemonade.

The calories in these drinks start to add up, which could spell trouble for your belly.

If you want to cut out 200 to 400 calories, then opt for water instead of soft drinks or other high-calorie drinks.

4. Doggie Bags

This tip goes hand-in-hand with tip #1.  Ask for a doggie bag once your meal arrives.

That way you can scoop up half your meal and save it for later!  You’re saving a boatload of calories, fat, and sugar this way, which could really add tremendous benefits to your weight loss program.

Plus, after a great meal out, you’re always wanting more!  This way you can save half your meal for the next day, therefore keeping your calories controlled while enjoying your favorite foods.

5. Know the Menu Before You Go

One of the hardest things to do when trying to stay healthy is: not knowing the menu before you go in.

Save yourself some time—and energy—and look it up online!   This way you can choose a meal that looks healthy and sides (such as grilled veggies and salads), saving you both time and calories before you even step foot through the door.

Plus, this will keep you from wanting to order a less healthy meal when your friends start ordering!

6. Order First

This kind of goes along with tip #5—you should always be the first to order.  That way you won’t be tempted to change your order once you hear the decadent pasta plate your friend ordered or the fried chicken steak your loved one got.

If you can’t order first, choose the healthiest option you can, then put down your menu and continue to say it to yourself.

Trust me, it’s hard, but it will be worth it when you’re proudly wearing your skimpy bikini on the beach.

7. Trim Visible Fat and Skin

There are two drawbacks to eating out: There’s a higher chance there are loads of fat…tons of sugar and salt…and a whole bunch of calories.

But you can prevent these fat traps from ruining your diet.  Just trim off any skin (pretty unhealthy and loaded with fat and salt) and trim any fat you see on your chicken or steak.

You won’t be able to get it all, but this is a good step to losing the extra pounds you may currently be carrying around.

8. Chew Slowly (mindful eating tip)

Why are you eating so fast?  Are you in that much of a hurry?  Sure, the place may be close to closing time, but that shouldn’t stop you from really thinking about what is going on in your mouth.

When you eat slowly—like chew your food 20 to 30 times—you will start to appreciate the different flavors that may be popping in your mouth.

Plus, it gives time for your brain to realize you’re full and don’t need any more food.   By the time your body registers you're full, you may have only eaten half (or less) of the food on your plate.

This cuts down tremendously on calories and saves you a few pounds in the process.

9. Skip the Snacks

You get to your favorite place and find it’s extremely busy and there’s an extra-long wait for food service.

You sit down and think that getting an appetizer may be a good idea—since it may take a while for your food to get to you.

So you look at the apps—the worst mistake you can make!  Most appetizers—or even the peanuts at some places—can quickly add a whole bunch of unwanted calories to your meal.

And, even though you may be starving, skip out on the appetizers.  They are loaded with fat and calories, which could easily cause your meal to top out at 1200 or more calories.

Plus, skipping out on the apps could also help with a lower bill and more money in your pocket.

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10. You Could Make Your Meal from the Apps

One smart strategy to controlling your calorie is making your apps into your meal.

Not only are the apps usually pretty large, they can also contain roughly the same amount of calories as a full-fledged meal.

Pick out a few healthy apps (oysters, steamers, steamed muscles, etc.)  and split them with friends or your partner.

Sharing apps (trust me, some of them are a heaping portion) is an easy way to preventing you from consuming extra calories.

11. Dress your Salads Appropriately

Salads could easily be your best friend—or your worst enemy.  In order to keep it as a fat-blasting salad, be sure to top it with plenty of (low-calorie) veggies, beans, greens, and a lean cut of beef, chicken, or even a slab of fish.

These lower calorie options will keep your salad weight loss friendly while keeping you full and satisfied.

Steer clear of the high-calorie dressings or additives like bacon bits, tons of cheese, or salad croutons.  Instead, stick with olive oil and vinegar or even spray a little lemon on top.

12. Enjoy Dessert (in moderation)

If you are craving something sweet at the end of your meal, then opt for fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or even raspberries.

These low-calorie fruits will satisfy your sweet tooth, plus give you fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body may be craving.

But:

If you do need to have a dessert, practice the three-bite rule.  Order your dessert and take only three bites.
With the slow eating and the richness of the dessert, three bites should be more than enough dessert for you to enjoy and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Stop Wasting Your Weight Loss Efforts on Eating Out

Eating out at restaurants doesn’t have to be a nail in your weight loss coffin.  By following these 12 tips, you could find yourself eating better and keeping your weight loss on track.

Here’s what to do next…

I want to share with you how you can use this additional tip that could help you:

• Burn fat like NEVER before
  
• NATURALLY increase your energy
• Strip away layers of belly fat (without prescription meds or exercise)
• Fight diabetes and Control Blood Sugar Levels
• Boost your metabolism to new heights
  

You will also discover the one fruit (that I use every day) to keep my body lean, trim, and in shape.  On the next page, I would like to show you how to lose 10 to 20 pounds and look 5 to 10 years YOUNGER…just click the link below to discover the secret plastic surgeons and personal trainers don’t want you to know:

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