OUT FOR DINNER ? STILL ON TRACK

Eating out should be a pleasure, not a guilt trip.

It's summer and with holidays and lots of social occaions, eating out can be tricky if you're trying to be healthy. We all love a meal out - the atmosphere, the conversation, the joy of not having to do the washing up! But if you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, the menu can sometimes feel like a bit of a minefield.

The good news? You don’t have to give up your social life to stay on track. I used to be that person who would avoid eating out as I was so worried that I wouldn’t keep on track with my healthy eating. With experience and some forward thinking it is possible to eat out and keep healthy.

With a few smart swaps and a little forward planning, you can enjoy your favourite restaurants and feel good about your choices.

Here are some of my tried-and-tested tips to help you navigate the menu with confidence.

First rule: Don’t go starving

If you’re eating later than usual, don’t “save up” calories by skipping food earlier in the day. That’s a shortcut to low blood sugar and ordering half the dessert menu. Instead, have a small, healthy snack at your normal mealtime (such as handful of nuts, boiled egg) so you can make healthy sensible choices instead of panic-ordering every carb in sight.

Italian

Tempting as that pizza might be your waistline will thank you for looking beyond the pasta and cheese-laden options.  If you fancy pizza you could share pizza and salad with a friend? Or instead choose:

•      Grilled fish or chicken

•           Fresh salads with olive oil and lemon

•           Roasted or steamed vegetables

•           Ask for extra veg instead of garlic bread or chips

Thai

Thai food can be light and nourishing but the noodle and rice dishes can quickly tip the balance so choose:

Tofu or prawn curries

•           Steamed fish with lime and chilli

•           Stir-fried vegetables with fresh herbs

•           Avoid clear of deep-fried appetisers and sugar-heavy sauces

Indian

Indian menus are full of wonderful, flavour-packed dishes but you just need to choose carefully:

•           Chickpea or lentil-based curries

•           Vegetable side dishes (bhindi, saag, aubergine)

•           Fish curry with a tomato or coconut base

•           Avoid naan, poppadoms and piles of rice

•            

Many restaurants are happy to swap rice for extra vegetables – you just need to ask.

💡 My golden rule: swap the starch for plants

Wherever you’re eating, make it a habit to ask for extra vegetables or salad instead of bread, chips, rice or pasta. Most places are more than happy to do it and it leaves you feeling full without derailing health goals.

With these simple tweaks, you can savour every bite, enjoy your evening and wake up the next morning feeling good not tired and bloated.

If you are concerned about your health, then book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Call with me and discover how we can help you get to the root cause of your symptoms and improve your quality of life.   Remember, your health is your greatest asset.

Good news is I have some New Client spots opening up now this September

If you’ve been thinking of working with me 1:1 we can have a chat on the phone. This is your chance.