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Meals on the town used to be a treat. Once a month, the family would pile in the car to "give mom a break" and gather at a local restaurant. These days, however, restaurant food is an everyday fact of life for many of us. It's easy to grab a pizza or bucket of chicken on the way home from work, and picking up a sandwich at lunchtime is certainly faster than packing one in the morning. With our busy schedules, there's no doubt that fast food is a real time saver. But, is the time and trouble we're saving worth the toll on our bodies? You can use diligence and eat healthy when you're out on the town. Greens Means Go Do you think you're doing your body a favor by ordering a salad at lunch or dinner? That rich dressing can really pack a calorie wallop. Ask for your salad dressing on the side, and then you can use as little or as much as you like. You can use this same rule when ordering other sauces, too. If you can't have fries without gravy, at least you can have some control over your calorie intake. Grill Up Some Goodness Instead of settling for fried foods, ask that your meal be baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed. These cooking methods use way less fat in the preparation and are usually much lower in calories. Grilling brings out so much of the natural flavor in meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables, that you won't need to drown them in sauces and butter. For even greater calorie savings, direct your server or chef to grill your foods without additional butter or oil. Your food will still taste delicious and only your hips will know the difference. Healthy Pastabilities Go ahead and have your love affair with pasta, but try to stay away from too many cream-based sauces. Alfredo sauce can wreak havoc on your waistline, so opt for zesty tomato-based sauces instead. These sauces add low-fat zest to your meals, and the tomato content can be counted as a vegetable on your food wheel. With a sprinkling of spices and a little cheese, you've got a delicious meal. Drink To Your Health When you're eating smart, it only makes sense to drink smart, too. Skip the beer and wine at lunch or dinner, and order a glass of water, milk or juice instead. Even coffee and tea are better options. Soft drinks? Not so smart. Even if your value meal comes with a glass of pop, you aren't obligated to take it. Instead, spend the extra 25 cents and get a carton of milk. Your bones, and your whole body, will thank you for it. Good Health, for Starters Some people skip appetizers in fear of extra calories, but a little meal before your meal can actually be a great idea. Soups, for instance, are sensational low-cal appetizers to take the edge off of your hunger before the main course arrives. Ask for a nice broth or consomme base, and watch out for fatty cream soups and chowders. Instead of a big main course, try two appetizers, like a soup and salad. You'll save money and eat less. Smarts on the Side If you have the option of choosing your sides, ask for fresh vegetables or a baked potato instead of french fries. Choose a healthy baked potato, and don't weigh it down butter, cheese or sour cream. If you want to give your spud a little extra kick, try it with a spoonful of salsa. Don't Forget the Fiber Fiber is so important to your healthy diet, so be sure to include servings of fruits and vegetables every day. These are essential sources of natural fiber that your body just can't do without. Ask your server for brown rice, whole grain bread and whole wheat pasta. Break all the bread you want, but hold the butter. Enough is Enough When you are full, stop eating. This may seem obvious, but many people insist on getting their 'money's worth' out of a restaurant meal. Listen to your body and know when you've had enough. You can always ask to take the remainder home. After all, half of tonight's pasta will make a great lunch tomorrow. Share the Goodness If you're craving dessert, your dinner partner probably is as well. Go ahead and order that slice of caramel pecan cheesecake -- with two spoons. Half the dessert means half the calories. Or, get something sweet and sensible like a dish of sherbet or a bowl of berries. You should make healthy choices when you're on the run, but it's also OK to treat yourself now and then. If you're celebrating a special event and you want melted butter with your lobster, go right ahead. All types of foods can find a place in a well-balanced diet. Don't deprive yourself of the foods you really love. Your time is precious, after all, so enjoy every minute of it.
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About the Article Author
Author Kenneth Surr enjoys writing articles for numerous popular web magazines, on healthy choice and health diet fitness subjects.
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