Eating out is one of the most difficult challenges that people who are dieting to lose weight must face. Some dieters try to avoid this situation all together, while others throw their diet away for the evening and eat whatever they want. Eating out without wrecking your diet can be easy when you know how. You can stick to your plan and still enjoy dinner out with friends or family. Below are 7 tips for eating out while dieting.

1. Choose First Course Options Carefully: Dinners typically come with a salad or soup option to start. Choose this course carefully, if starting with soup, opt for vegetable based broth choices instead of cream based soups. When opting for a salad, always ask for your dressing to be served on the side, and request fat filled toppings like cheese and bacon to be left off. Low fat or fat free dressings can save you a ton of fat and calories, as well. If you cannot choose a reduced fat dressing, top your salad with oil and vinegar instead.

2. Drink Plenty Of Water: Water should be your beverage of choice. Beverages can contain a startling amount of calories that people may not be aware of. You can add hundreds of empty calories by consuming sugary drinks, sodas, and alcohol. Get your calories from your meal instead. Keep the water coming throughout your meal.

3. Opt For Smaller Portions: Eating out has one main problem – portion sizes. People believe they have to consume everything they are given. Restaurants usually provide portions that are far too large, which can be quite detrimental to your dieting progress. Asking for a smaller portion size can take care of this issue. Do not be afraid to order a children’s portion, or a senior citizen entrée. Most restaurants are quite content to accommodate your request, and you may even save a bit of money.

4. Choose Healthier Sides: Simple substitutions such as brown rice instead of white rice or French fries, and whole grain rolls over white bread can save you a good amount of fat and calories. Substitutions such as this are not only healthier, they also keep you feeling full.

5. Make Good Vegetable Choices: Try to choose fresh, or steamed vegetable choices. Keep away from veggies that are smothered in sauces, or fried. A simple baked potato with a little margarine served on the side is a great potato side dish, and as much as you may love it, stay away from sour cream and butter.

6. Share Dessert: No one wants to be the only person at the table not having a sweet treat for dessert. Ask to share a small dessert with a member of your party so you do not feel left out. Since you are sharing, make sure you only eat your portion, or less.

7. Plan Ahead: When visiting a new restaurant, stop in advance and pick up a menu. This will give you time to familiarize yourself with the menu and choose your dinner option without pressure.

If you want to lose weight then check out the Diet Solution Program guide which is a great new diet where you balance your blood sugar to stop yourself from pigging out.

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