It is truly easier said than done, but you can do it. One of the purposes of this web site is to be a resource to guide you to success. The first step is to determine how perfect you feel you need to be in order to consider yourself successful. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to make concessions to those with whom I am dining in order for them to get to eat where they want to eat?” It can be embarrassing for your dining partners to sit through your crazy ordering style or maybe they’ll just think you are so cute that you are worth it (can you say “When Harry Met Sally”?).
How about you? Are you going to be too embarrassed to ask, “Exactly what comes on that salad?” or to be excruciatingly specific in your order “Please steam the broccoli with no butter and no seasoning.” Are you prepared to return your food to the kitchen when the order is not correct or to go hungry if there is nothing on the menu that meets your dietary plan? Don’t be a sissy about it. You are paying for your meal, you should get it your way.
I encourage you to think through the process carefully when planning your lunch date or a night out with friends. Don’t be afraid to suggest the restaurant of your choice. Your friends love you and they would rather you have a good time than for you to sit and watch them eat. If you do end up in that position, fake it until you make it. Don’t complain. Make the best of it. Nobody loves a whiny health nut.
In addition to our general meal-planning tips, here are some tips that will help when dining out:
If you cannot find anything on the adult menu, check the kids menu to get a smaller portion size.
Make your night out your one cheat meal for the week. Determine in advance what that cheat meal will be by checking the restaurant’s web site.
Bring your own condiments or salad dressings.
To remove unwanted calories, sugars, and fat, order without sauces, salad dressings, even without cheese.
Only drink water – no sodas or alcohol, even with your cheat meal!
If you cannot find anything else on the menu order a double order of a side salad (without any offensive ingredients like croutons and bacon bits) or steamed veggies.
Eat a healthy snack before your night out and bring a healthy snack for later.
Drink extra water the day of your night out to help flush out the extra sodium usually contained in restaurant foods.
Ask if they offer a fruit plate, it might not be on the menu.
Print or write out what you are planning to order at the planned restaurant. Look at the menu only long enough to determine that what you planned to order is actually on the menu. Sometimes the web sites and the restaurant menus in certain areas don’t match. If it is not there, ask the waitperson as it still might be available. Make sure you have an alternate plan just in case.
Do the same for another nearby restaurant just in case you and your friends decide on a different restaurant at the last minute.
Your LiveThinLiveWell lifestyle is yours – you decide how perfect you need to live it and how flexible you need to be. Your wellness is your responsibility. You can do it and you can LiveThinLiveWell for the rest of your long life.
Happy Dining!
It is truly easier said than done, but you can do it. One of the purposes of this web site is to be a resource to guide you to success. The first step is to determine how perfect you feel you need to be in order to consider yourself successful. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to make concessions to those with whom I am dining in order for them to get to eat where they want to eat?” It can be embarrassing for your dining partners to sit through your crazy ordering style or maybe they’ll just think you are so cute that you are worth it (can you say “When Harry Met Sally”?).
How about you? Are you going to be too embarrassed to ask, “Exactly what comes on that salad?” or to be excruciatingly specific in your order “Please steam the broccoli with no butter and no seasoning.” Are you prepared to return your food to the kitchen when the order is not correct or to go hungry if there is nothing on the menu that meets your dietary plan? Don’t be a sissy about it. You are paying for your meal, you should get it your way.
I encourage you to think through the process carefully when planning your lunch date or a night out with friends. Don’t be afraid to suggest the restaurant of your choice. Your friends love you and they would rather you have a good time than for you to sit and watch them eat. If you do end up in that position, fake it until you make it. Don’t complain. Make the best of it. Nobody loves a whiny health nut.
In addition to our general meal-planning tips, here are some tips that will help when dining out:
If you cannot find anything on the adult menu, check the kids menu to get a smaller portion size.
Make your night out your one cheat meal for the week. Determine in advance what that cheat meal will be by checking the restaurant’s web site.
Bring your own condiments or salad dressings.
To remove unwanted calories, sugars, and fat, order without sauces, salad dressings, even without cheese.
Only drink water – no sodas or alcohol, even with your cheat meal!
If you cannot find anything else on the menu order a double order of a side salad (without any offensive ingredients like croutons and bacon bits) or steamed veggies.
Eat a healthy snack before your night out and bring a healthy snack for later.
Drink extra water the day of your night out to help flush out the extra sodium usually contained in restaurant foods.
Ask if they offer a fruit plate, it might not be on the menu.
Print or write out what you are planning to order at the planned restaurant. Look at the menu only long enough to determine that what you planned to order is actually on the menu. Sometimes the web sites and the restaurant menus in certain areas don’t match. If it is not there, ask the waitperson as it still might be available. Make sure you have an alternate plan just in case.
Do the same for another nearby restaurant just in case you and your friends decide on a different restaurant at the last minute.
Your LiveThinLiveWell lifestyle is yours – you decide how perfect you need to live it and how flexible you need to be. Your wellness is your responsibility. You can do it and you can LiveThinLiveWell for the rest of your long life.
Happy Dining!