Eating out can be a mental, emotional, and social challenge when you are trying to be health-conscious and reduce your weight. Of course, preparing your own meals is the ideal way to monitor the foods that are going into your body and ensuring that they are high-quality and health-promoting. But let’s be realistic – work functions, anniversaries, birthdays or just plain hectic schedules can often lead us to eat out, whether it is a sit-down dinner or a quick take-out meal. There are choices you can make while eating out that are healthier for you and that will keep you from straying from the path to achieving your weight goals.
Here are some healthy tips to keep in mind while eating out:
- If you can, choose a restaurant that has some healthy options available
- Order water or tea rather than soft drinks
- Choose a healthier side dish or appetizer: salad or vegetables instead of fries or potatoes
- Select baked, steamed, broiled or boiled rather than fried foods
- Use portion control – if there are size options available, choose a smaller serving.
- Opt for vinaigrettes or squeezed lemon rather than creamy dressings and dips
- Stay away from processed and refined foods, additives, food colouring and artificial ingredients
- Avoid breaded or coated foods
- Make sure at least half of your meal includes vegetables and greens
- You don’t have to finish eating everything on your plate; you can always take your leftovers home to eat at another meal
- Remember that dessert is not essential…opt for sliced fresh fruit or just order a tea if you are not yet ready to leave
It is always good to find out which restaurants have healthy selections or the flexibility to alter dishes so they are healthier. This adds a new dimension to eating out and can make it more enjoyable when you know that you aren’t jeopardizing your health goals.
Milena Kaler is a is a qualified London Nutritionist, sports nutrition, stubborn weight loss, digestive health, and autoimmune disease nutrition specialist. She is trained in the principles of Functional Medicine and practices from her clinic in Central London, Harley Street, as well as providing online consultations.
Milena has helped thousands of people to lose weight and keep it off. Scientific and holistic in approach Milena looks at all aspects of a client’s health. She embraces a systems-oriented approach aiming to get to the root cause of health and weight issues instead of simply focusing on the symptoms.
Milena’s expertise has been sought by celebrities, and she has been featured as a nutrition expert in reputable magazines including Women’s Health, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Women’s Fitness, Peak Brain Training, and Metro.
As a full member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT), and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the only register for Nutritional Therapy recognised by the government and NHS, Milena is committed to upholding their strict Code of Ethics. Additionally, Milena is a member of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology (PCSG).
Milena sees patients with chronic health conditions, as well as clients looking for support to optimise their health. Some of the areas Milena can help with include: weight loss, digestive, hormonal, autoimmune disease, menopause, and skin health.
Milena sees every person as an individual with different problems and different goals. She takes time to listen to her clients’ specific concerns to develop customised nutrition and lifestyle plans, based on laboratory test results. Having overcome her own chronic health and weight loss issues, Milena really understands how it is to feel overwhelmed by poor health and can relate to her clients when they first come to see her.
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