Restaurant Guide: 5 tips for eating healthy when dining out

Nutrition is much more than fuel for your body. In our culture, it’s also viewed as a social event and even a business opportunity. But as you probably know, it can quickly derail your healthy lifestyle. 

That’s why I’ve created these 5 tips to help you stay on track with your goals without missing out on important opportunities or living like a hermit. 

1) Be present and enjoy your meal

Do you remember the 80/20 rule we spoke about? Good!
If you’ve been eating well and doing your workouts, there is no need to freak out about dining out. One meal will not destroy your progress, so there’s no need to feel guilty. Just make sure you enjoy every bite and truly be present with the company you are with.  

2) Protein first

When you choose your meal, always pick your source of protein first. Your body will burn more calories by digesting protein than it does for carbohydrates or fats. Also, protein is more satiating. This means it will help you feel full faster and delay hunger between meals. 

3) Carbohydrates and fats 

Next, we’ll add in the carbohydrates. You can pick any option you like (fries, mashed potato, pasta, bread, …) but eat half of it. It’s safe to say that most portions in restaurants are too big, so this approach takes care of that problem without restricting your options. As for fats, there are more than plenty in your meal. Don’t worry about that.

4) Ask for meal adjustments

More often than not, you can customize your meals to your liking. Don’t be afraid to ask for some extra veggies or to put the sauce on the side. These small changes have a big impact on the Performance quality of your meal. 

5) Pick the place 

The more control we have, the better. It helps to build a repertoire of restaurants you know offer healthy choices. But if you have no idea where those are, you can always look up the menu on the internet beforehand. A little bit of planning goes a long way.