Sunday, September 19, 2010

Pointers When Choosing A Delicious Meal That Won't Add To Your Waistline

By Natalie Kempt

Eating out is a fun way to spend an evening but if you're on a diet it can be filled with peril. It's hard to know what to order and what to avoid. The challenge of ordering can take all the pleasure out of the experience.

The first thing you'll see when you look at the menu is probably the photos of the entrees. These photos can be bad for your diet. The foods in the pictures are styled and seldom look or tastes as good as the photos make you believe. When you look at the menu, try to focus instead on the list of items and not the photos.

When you're reading the menu doesn't be influenced by the names of the entrees. Like the photos, the names are also designed to whet your appetite and make you crave them.

Chefs know that creme Brule sounds a lot better than vanilla pudding. They use all their creativity to make their food sound its delectable. When you're reading the menu, keep your focus on the descriptions rather than the item's name so that you can make the best decision for you.

Some restaurants pull a fast one on diners. They place unhealthy menu items near healthy ones. Studies have shown that people are more likely to order unhealthy food when it appears near healthy selections. By acknowledging this practice, you can be prepared and avoid ordering fattening foods.

The menu tricks don't stop there. Restaurants also place a wide variety of vegetables on the menu making you think that they are healthfully prepared. In actuality, they can be a bad choice since they may be fried, covered in fattening sauces or cheese.

So, don't just assume that a vegetable dish is a healthy one. Read how it's prepared and ask questions if you are unsure. To be healthy, it should be steamed or sauteed. If it's fried or coated in something fattening, order something else.

Another tip is to avoid sampling others meals when you go out. This may be fun and hard to stop if others at your table are doing it, but it is better for you in the long run. You will avoid eating extra calories and unhealthy foods. It may seem like you are only eating a small amount, but all those bites add up.

So, go ahead and eat out if you want to. If you keep these tips in mind you don't have to be afraid it will ruin your diet.

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