While restaurants are getting better at making their food healthier and making nutritional values available, sometimes we still find it hard to go for the best possible options. Here’s a few trainer tips to help you stay on track, while enjoying a hearty meal out.
Trainer Tips on Eating Out
- Many places like to start you off with some type of snack, be it chips , popcorn or breadsticks. Send it back. I know for myself, that if it’s in front of me, I will eat it.
- I also like to look up the nutritional values before I go, if available. Some places will put the calories, but not the amount of fat or sodium, which tends to be the downfall of most dishes. Some have as much as twice your daily required sodium intake. Be prepared and know what you’re going to order ahead of time.
- Avoid everything fried, battered or breaded. No dish is worth the amount of fat in those meals. Ask for your food to be cooked dry. And needless to say, skip the fries. If it comes with a side, go for the salad. It may be a touch more bland and boring, but your heart and arteries will thank you for it.
- When ordering a salad, ask for your dressing on the side. Restaurants love to drown their salads, you really don’t need that much. That salad should be rich enough as it is.
- Don’t pick off other people’s plates. That’s a sure fire way to possibly double the amount of calories you ingest. Try one of you must, but don’t do the rounds.
- Be sensible about your dessert choice. Restaurant favorites are heavily frosted cakes, dense brownies and milkshakes. Have maybe a scoop of ice cream with some fruit, no whipped cream. Most restaurants have these items on hand so even if they aren’t on the recipe ask for them.
- When ordering for breakfast, skip your traditional all American breakfast, comprising everything from eggs to pancakes. If they have whole wheat pancakes, opt for those. They might taste a bit different, but they are much better for you. Skip the butter and go easy on the syrup. Don’t even have them bring the butter out. Again, if it’s there, you’re most likely to use it. Egg whites are always a good option and you can pack them with veggies to fill you up. Try and avoid the sausage as it is highly processed. Opt for turkey bacon, if available, or regular bacon ( I ll give you a pass on that ).
I personally love eggs benedict, but the sauce is quite heavy. I usually have them bring it on the side and I just dip my eggs in it instead of drowning them. Also sub the canadian bacon for spinach, a good way to save on sodium.
Use these quick fitness tips to have your delicious meal without ruining all your efforts in the gym. These trainer tips have been tested and approved by hundreds of clients over the years so use them and spread them around! Fitness is meant to be shared with the ones you love.
Viktoria Bozsoki
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Jillian Michaels BodyShred instructor
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
Contributing writer at http://fittipdaily.com/
http://www.ideafit.com/profile/vbozsoki
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