A Guide to Dining Out Healthily
Dining out can be hard on your diet. You don’t know the ingredients of what you’re eating and you likely won’t have much control over the preparation process, so it’s easy to find yourself indulging in foods that are high in calories and fat. The key to dining out healthily is to understand how you can take control of your meal—so when you do eat out, you still stay healthy. To help guide you, here are some tips for eating healthy when dining at the restaurants near Castle Hill.
Go Veggie-Centric
One of the best ways to dine out healthily is to go veggie-centric. Vegans and vegetarians will rejoice in this, but meat eaters can also indulge in a meatless meal if they want something different. Some Castle Hill cafe and restaurants offer vegan and vegetarian dishes, but others might not have many options for people who don’t eat animal products. Don’t worry, though – as long as you’re careful when ordering, you’ll be able to find something that’s delicious and healthy on any menu!
Substitute the Bread for Veggies or Rice
My favourite thing about eating out is that it’s a great opportunity to try new foods and experiment with different flavours. Some restaurants offer healthy options, but others don’t. If you’re looking for ways to cut back on calories and fat, here are some simple substitutions you can make when dining out
Choose Sauces, Dressings, and Toppings Carefully
If you’re trying to eat healthy, it’s best to avoid sauces, dressings, and toppings that are high in sugar. Remembering which items have these unhealthy ingredients will make deciding what to order a lot easier. The sauces, dressings, and toppings that you should try and avoid are: ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, and mayonnaise-based salad dressings like Thousand Island dressing or blue cheese dressing.
Choose Fruits and Nuts
Fruits and nuts are a great choice for the health conscious diner. They’re good for you, easy to eat on the go, and don’t require utensils. Plus, they’re often available at all types of restaurants. Bananas, apples, grapes and oranges are some of the most common choices at sit-down restaurants or diners because they don’t spoil as easily as other fruits like berries.
For Drinks, Skip Soda and Juice
When dining takeaway Castle Hill, skip the soda and juice, which are high in sugar and calories. Try ordering a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon or lime instead. Or order unsweetened ice tea or coffee with skim milk and honey (or sugar substitute) if you need something cold. Remember that alcohol is high in calories so don’t drink too much!
Get Real With Your Protein
Eating out can be tricky when you’re trying to stay on top of your diet. But with some preparation and a little know-how, you’ll never have to worry again. Before hitting the restaurant, research on what they offer so that you can make a healthier choice before dining. If possible, order ahead of time online so that there are no surprises or temptations once you get there.
The author is a chef specialising in serving healthy foods that are fresh, sustainable produce. He caters for all needs including vegetarian, vegan, paleo, dairy free and gluten free. Visit https://harvestbowl.com.au/ for more details about Castle Hill cafe.