Guess one of the main reasons dieters find it difficult to lose weight even with strict dieting and exercise – letting the guards down while eating out, it can completely ruin their weight loss efforts. Many dieters choose to schedule their cheat meals on weekends and that’s because having a cheat meal on the weekend provides a mental break after sticking to the diet for an entire week. Most importantly, weekends are often a time when people socialize, attend parties, or eat out with friends and family. Whether it’s your cheat meal or not or you are out socializing with friends and family in a restaurant, read about 8 basic rules to follow when eating out when dieting.
1. Avoid Indulging Street-Side Corner Food:
We agree those street-side food videos on social media where they use loads of cheese and butter are weirdly satisfying and trigger cravings along with a sense of anticipation for the taste and texture of the featured dishes. You may be tempted to try them out, but please do not. These street-side delicacies may look unassuming, but they may use insane amount of butter and cheese, making them a calorie-dense gastronomic treat, which is neither good for your weight loss goals nor health.
2. Read the Menu Beforehand:
Many restaurants have their menus available online. Before you go to the restaurant for eating out, check the menu on food delivery apps and look for healthy options that would also be low in calories. Look for grilled, steamed, baked methods of cooking, focussing on protein, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid deep-fried food and those with loads of empty calories and unhealthy ingredients.
3. Don’t Get Influenced By Others Choices in the Group:
Do stay committed to your weight loss goals while eating out, especially when you are out with friends and family who are making different food choices. As we have mentioned above, scan through the menu in advance and when dining in a group, try to place your order first. This can help you make your choice without being influenced by what others are ordering.
4. Start with A Bowl of Salad:
Most salads with leafy greens and vegetables are typically low in calories. Having a bowl of salad would keep you feel fuller, reducing the chances of overeating during the main meal. Even a bowl of soup can keep you full and help cut down calories in the subsequent meals. Also read: “7 Ways To Prevent Overeating While Snacking.”
5. Avoid the Bread Basket:
While waiting for your food to arrive, avoid picking on things in the bread basket because you can easily pile on extra calories (most of them are made with refined flour). Consuming bread with high calorie count before a meal may not promote feelings of fullness, potentially resulting in overeating during the main course.
6. Do Not Opt For Buffet:
Buffets typically offer a wide variety of dishes, including many high-calorie dishes and an array of desserts. It would be extremely challenging to control portion sizes in a buffet. Order food from ala carte where you can order individual dishes from a menu depending on your preference.
7. Practice Portion Control:
Pay attention to portion sizes, even while eating out. Ask for half-sized portions, having food on a smaller plate, eat mindfully, and do share your food with others to cut down significant calories. Also read: “9 Ways To Cut Portion Sizes Without Getting Hungry.”
8. Skip the Dessert:
Gulab jamun, kheer, barfi, halwa, kulfi, shahi tukda, gajar ka halwa are just a few popular desserts served in Indian restaurants, and if people in your group are ordering them, don’t get influenced. Pick a fresh fruit or a piece of dark chocolate to satisfy your sweet cravings without falling off the weight loss wagon.
Overall, do not shy away from indulging in a cheat meal while dieting, but do make sure you are not ruining the entire week’s effort with your choice of food. Most importantly, if weight loss is on your mind, check out the diet plans on the Rati Beauty app. From delicious salads to flavourful curries, every meal on the Rati Beauty Diet is a delightful journey for your palate. The food on this diet is so good that you wouldn’t miss restaurant food!
7 Ways To Prevent Overeating While Snacking
9 Ways To Cut Portion Sizes Without Getting Hungry
