How to Eat Out Without Breaking the Diet

Just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't occasionally eat at a nice restaurant and socialise with your friends. You just have to have the right strategy to make sure that it doesn't impact too heavily on your diet. Here's a few tips to help you stay on track.

• Check the menu before you go out.
  It's a great idea to hop on the internet and check out the menu before you even arrive. Most restaurants these days will post their menu online. That way you can see if they have some healthy options before you arrive and not get caught out.
• Don't skip on meals just because you're going out
  Some people try to make up for eating out by not eating, or eating less during the day. But you can end up being super hungry by the time you get to the restaurant and ordering food that you wouldn't normally order or just eating way more than you should. This strategy rarely works.
• Drink a glass of water before you start eating
  This is a great way of lessening your hunger. Sometimes being thirsty can make you feel like you want to eat more when you just need to have some water.
• Go for Protein
  Protein helps keep you feeling full for longer because it takes longer for your body to break down and digest. Just make sure it's not drowning in some sugar-laden sauce or that will defeat the purpose.
• Try to Avoid Carbs as Much as Possible
  Pasta is definitely a bad idea as is any kind of potato dish (especially chips). If you do need to include carbs, see if there's a healthier option such as brown rice. Anything made using plain white flour should be avoided.
• Make Healthy Salad Choices
  Some salads come with creamy dressings which are high in fat. Also, avoid any salads that contain pasta or potatoes.
• Limit Your Alcohol Intake
  Alcohol itself will really pack on the kilos. Choose a low alcohol option if available. If you have a choice between a low carb beer and a low alcohol beer, choose the low alcohol option. It's actually lower in calories.
• Split Dessert
  If you feel you have to have dessert, share one with your partner or friend. Alternately, you can just pick a dessert that isn't going to be super rich, like chocolate mud cake. Skip the extra cream on the side as well.