Choosing foods in a restaurant while trying to lead a healthy lifestyle can feel like navigating through a mine field. Most restaurants have at least a few healthy menu items, however. If the menu items seem high in fat, calories or sodium, ask if the food can be prepared to your specifications.
Tossed Salad
Most restaurants, even fast food restaurants, offer a green salad, tossed salad or side salad. Eating a salad before your main entree may help you eat lighter throughout the meal. Order low-fat dressing on the side or try Parmesan cheese instead of dressing.
Clear Soup
An appetizer of soup made from chicken broth, tomato juice, vegetable broth or beef broth can help you control your caloric intake. Vegetable soup is especially nutritious. Have a small bowl, as soup can be quite high in sodium.
Grilled Fish
Grilled or baked fish, such as salmon, makes a good restaurant choice. This can be accompanied by boiled whole-grain rice or steamed mixed vegetables.
Small Steak
A small steak without visible fat can be an occasional part of most healthy diets. The American Heart Association recommends sirloin tip, filet mignon or London broil. If you don't care for steak, a grilled chicken breast is another good choice. A small baked potato topped with a pat of margarine or a spoonful of sour cream and a steamed vegetable, such as asparagus, broccoli or zucchini, can accompany the steak or chicken.
Chicken Sandwich
In a sandwich restaurant, choose a grilled chicken or a veggie burger. Ask for extra vegetables and go light on the cheese. Choose mustard over mayonnaise and split a bag of baked potato chips with a friend rather than ordering french fries.
Unsweetened Tea
Have unsweetened tea, coffee or water as beverage rather than soda or a milkshake. Skim milk and whole fruit juice are other healthy options.
Kid's Meal
If you find yourself craving a hamburger at a fast food restaurant, order the kid's meal with a small burger. Ask for apple slices or a fruit cup instead of fries and choose water, skim milk or unsweetened tea rather than soda.
Sherbet
Try sherbet as your dessert, suggests the American Cancer Society. Other good dessert choices include Italian ice, fresh fruit and angel food or sponge cake.
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