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“You don’t have to cheat when you go out to eat! You can continue toward your healthy lifestyle transformation by following this simple strategy. Soon ordering while eating out will be a cinch!
Places Chastity and I like especially like to eat out are Outback, Red Lobster, Night Sky, Coldwater Café, and chinese like Chins in Tipp City or Bamboo Grill in Troy. But your list doesn’t have to be limited: Applebees, O’Charley’s, Champs, Carers, Ryans, Hooters, Max & Ermas, Olive Garden, & Smokey Bones are a few other places that serve food items you can enjoy.
First of all,
look for grilled chicken or baked/grilled fish entrees. Add a green leaf salad. We ask the server to remove the cheese & croutons. If possible, we ask them to add hard boiled eggs (you can even remove the yolks easily). Ask for a fat free or light salad dressing on the side. My preferences are balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette or honey mustard. If you dip your fork in the dressing before spearing the lettuce, you will use a very small amount of dressing and you have a small taste with each bite. When you’re finished, it won’t look like you’ve eaten any of the dressing.
Next ask the server to steam your vegetables. Ask that they add no butter. Reiterate your request like, “That’s a plain baked potato, no sour cream, no butter.” If sweet potatoes are on the menu, ask if they add only cinnamon.
Soups can be a good choice, if you avoid creamy or cheesy varieties. Stick to clearer bullion-type broths in soups like vegetable, bean or even chicken noodle (if you must).
If you decide to splurge on Italian food, then be careful with the bread. Choose a piece and try to eat it without butter, or just a small amount of oil. Try to avoid the cheesy pasta dishes, politely say “no” to the grated cheese on top. Chastity’s favorite Italian dish is plain grilled chicken served over angel hair pasta and topped with spinach and mushrooms. Ask for a tomato-based sauce on the side, then you can control the amount you use.
Fast food restaurants that serve grilled chicken (throw away at least half of the bun) or salads can work in a pinch. Be careful, because many of the salads are made ahead and cannot be customized to omit high fat or processed items. When possible try Arby’s or Subway. Choose wheat, rye, or oat breads and stay away from the cheese and high fat condiments. Mustard is often a good choice.
When dining Mexican, ask for corn tortillas to be substituted for flour. Ask when you order whether the food is generally served with flour or corn tortillas. For instance, burritos are usually served with flour tortillas while enchiladas are usually served with corn. Also ask your server to hold the cheese and sour cream. Tell them you do not want it. Sometimes they’ll send it out in small cups on the side. Tell them you do not want it. Substitute chicken for beef and eat small amounts of the beans and rice. They can both be a bit oily.
We enjoy Chinese food in the area. Ask for the vegetables to be steamed and the chicken grilled, served over steamed rice. Request the sauce be served on the side so you can use it sparingly or substitute soy sauce for flavor. Be careful with the soy sauce, the sodium content can be high. Chastity’s choice is the Bamboo grill in Troy. Chins in Tipp City used to know the grilled chicken with broccoli and mushroom dish that she ordered regularly.
Night Sky coffee shop asked Chastity for some healthy food suggestions that you will now find on their menu.
Just remember, don’t be afraid to tell the server how you want your food—even if it is not shown on the menu. You will be surprised that most servers truly are there to SERVE you. If you’re server tells you they are unable to meet your requests, then ask to speak with the manager. There are many restaurants waiting for your business!
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