Choosing healthy options when you go out to eat can be difficult. Since you aren’t the one doing the cooking, you can’t always know exactly what ingredients are used and how the dish is being cooked. While something like a salad may sound healthy, depending on the dressing and what goes else is on it, a salad can contain over 1,000 calories. If you want to be healthier, try these tips the next time you go to a restaurant.
Look for Raw Foods
Raw vegetables are always a good choice. Just because you see carrots or broccoli on the menu though does not necessarily mean it is going to be healthy. Restaurants often fry vegetables or cover them in oil and cheeses, which significantly increases the calories. Most places to eat in Andover MA have salads on the menu, which can be healthy if you leave off the croutons and get a lite dressing on the side.
Focus on the Cooking Method
If you want to find a healthy dish, stay away from anything that is fried. You want to look for items that are grilled or baked. Grilled chicken or fish are usually low in fat and calories. While white meat is a healthier option, lean red meat every now and then is fine as well.
Take Your Food Home
If you do decide to indulge in a richer, higher calorie meal, ask for a to-go box with your food and put half of it up to take home. You now have saved money by creating another meal for yourself, and you’ve cut your calories in half. You can also share a meal with someone to achieve the same affect.
The best way to know what you are eating is to cook it yourself. However, many restaurants actually put the nutritional information on their website or their menu now. Do some research before going out, and you can plan what you want to get ahead of time.