When you go in for outside food, you may find it to have more fat, salt and calories than you realize. You may find yourself relishing in a good portion of the food when eating outside, but you have to be cautious because you may be eating too much or have lots more fat and calories than you actually need . This way you end up eating a less healthy meal than you would have had you prepared the meal yourself.
Here are some small tips on how to eat healthier when grabbing a bite outside your home. You should try to cut down on dishes that are battered with oil or which are deep fried. Instead go in for food that is grilled, boiled, poached, steamed or stir fried.
Try to avoid fattening food like pastries and croissants, instead replace them with bread - whole meal, granary, brown, seedy, bagels and current buns. If you are going to have breakfast outside don't go in for those sugar-coated breakfast cereals. Instead opt for low salt and low sugar breakfast cereals.
Have curries that are dry instead of curries based on coconut milk. It is better to go in for vegetables and salads served plain, than ones with dressings. If you want some dressing, ask for it to be served on the side so you can add it yourself. When choosing sauces choose tomatoes based or vegetable based sauces rather than cream or cheese based sauces. Those who take rice would do better to take rice which is steamed or boiled, rather than have fired rice, pilou or egg fired rice as such rice dishes tend to be fattening. The same goes with potatoes. Take potatoes which are steamed or boiled rather than potatoes which are deep fried.
In choosing deserts after the meal go in for fresh fruit or sorbet rather than ice creams or fat-rich dessert varieties. One of the most important things to remember when eating out is that you do not have to empty your plate. It is better to eat slowly and stop when you're full.
About the Author Linda James - Tips on how to maintain a healthy diet when eating outside
