How to stick to a diet when dining out

Dining out when on trying to stay healthy can be every dieter's nightmare.  Firstly, not every menu has a calorie count and secondly, not every restaurant serves healthy food.  It is difficult to sometimes find the right balance when you are not in control of choosing the place that you're visiting.  Having being diagnosed with a stomach issue that relies heavily on me choosing low fat food to avoid flare ups, I know how difficult it is to choose the right meal when there seems to be nothing available on the menu and as a vegetarian, it is even more difficult when most meals are loaded with full fat cheese. 

Look at the menu before you go

Looking at the menu before you head out for your meal will stop you from making impulsive choices and will enable you to analyse what is safe/ healthiest to eat before you sit down. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions

When you arrive, don't be afraid to ask your waiter questions.  Some meals may be able to be adapted to suit your dietary needs and they may be able to answer questions about the healthier options available.

Opt for dressing on the side

If in doubt, always opt for dressing on the side. Salad dressings can add hundreds of calories to a basic salad as they are often loaded with oil. By asking for the dressing on the side, you can be in control of how much you consume.

Forgo the cocktails

As irresistible as they may be, especially on a hot day or a Friday after work, cocktails are often loaded up with sugar and the calories can soon add up. If you're looking for a slimline drink, opt for a gin and tonic or vodka and soda. Also, many restaurants are also now selling skinny prosecco - so it is worth keeping an eye out for it.

Order some table tap water

Drinking tap water in between courses or between bites of your meal will not only help keep you hydrated, it make you fuller quickly, therefore you are less likely to consume too many calories or be tempted to order dessert.

Don't be too hard on yourself

Finally, don't be too hard on yourself. We all have days where we feel like slacking off our diets and as long as you eat healthy and in moderation most of the time, you are allowed a cheat day. Diets only work if you're happy, being too hard on yourself will make you miserable and in turn, can lead to comfort eating.

How do you stick to a diet when eating out?