6 Ways to Eat Low-Carb at a Restaurant
Occasions that involve eating out can cause stress and overwhelm if you have diabetes and you're trying to stick to a low-carb diet.
But there have never been more healthy options than there are these days, and restaurants are often more than willing to accommodate special requests if you know how to ask for them.
The following tips will help you navigate eating out at a restaurant without going over your carbohydrate or caloric limit.
1. Prepare
Make sure you preview the menu of the restaurant you're eating at ahead of time. This can keep you from making on-the-spot decisions that are influenced by your hunger. Look for entrees that include protein and vegetables. Browse the side dishes to see what you can swap in place of things like rice or potatoes.
2. Say no to bread
Cut your server off at the pass before he or she places a bread basket on the table. Having bread in front of you can be too tempting to resist, so send it back or ask for a healthy appetizer while you wait for your food instead.
3. Ask how things are prepared
For proteins, look for options that are baked, grilled or broiled. Fried or breaded options will include more calories and carbohydrates. If you're not sure how something is prepared, just ask. Also, request sauces or dressings to come on the side.
4. Don't drink before dinner
While it's fine to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal, drinking before dinner (while you wait at the bar, for example) will increase your hunger and most likely cause you to overeat.
5. Ask for extra veggies
If a dish comes with some type of starch, simply request to leave it off and replace it with extra vegetables. Vegetables will keep you full and will prevent you from consuming excess carbs.
6. Share a dessert
If you absolutely have to indulge your sweet tooth, that's OK. But do so mindfully by picking something you're really going to enjoy and sharing with the table or your dinner companion. If you're trying to save calories or carbohydrates but want something sweet, opt for a dessert coffee or port wine instead of cake, pie or baked goods.
Source: GreenLite Medicine
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