Can't go out to eat - I'm on a diet!

One of my biggest pet peeves is that people so easily get discouraged by a "slip-up" or a not soo good for you meal. I'm not angry with the person, I'm upset that they think that in order to be healthy they can't enjoy life. That's sooo not true. What IS true is that you can enjoy the tastier things, and you can do it guilt free if you can master moderation! Here are some tips for you to proactive moderation and still enjoy yourself! 

First and foremost - I like to follow the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time eat healthy WHOLE foods. The other 20% of the time - eat a flipping cupcake if you want! :-)

Social dinners are fun – but here are a few tips to lower the calorie intake and subsequent impact around your table muscle:  skip the bread basket, ask for your fish/chicken/steak/veggies to be cooked/grilled in light or no oil, eat only half of the portion you’re served, share dessert and just have a few bites. Notice - I didn't say NO bread and NO dessert. 

Keep the drinking to a minimum – it probably will be just as good for your social life as your waistline (need we remind you of last year’s holiday shin dig?).  If you must imbibe, choose champagne or wine (at 100-140 cals per 6oz glass) maybe mix it with some soda water (if you'd like some "healthier adult beverage recipes" let me know in the comments below!) or light brew-skies (at 80-100cals) – and avoid all fruity concoctions like the plague!  Read with caution: one strawberry margarita can have 350+! Yaowza!

Plan. Decide before you go and remember you can’t have it all.  Choose between bread (1 piece) and chips/salsa OR sharing an appetizer.  Decide that you’ll eat only ½ your meal and take the rest home (easy meal for later), choose between a glass of wine and berries for desert or sharing a more decadent option with the table.  Don’t go in ravenous, ready to take on all 5 courses with abandon: make a plan beforehand, then enjoy!

Be prepared: even fast-food restaurants provide healthier menu options these days, so don’t blame mickey-d’s for your ordering a quarter-pounder with fries when there are healthier options available.  Check out restaurant websites and know your options before you go.  Tip: often times the salads are the biggest calorie traps, so beware of fat-laden dressings!

I hope this helps you with some times to enjoy yourself while also being conscious of what you put in your body! I love to live life and have some cake or a drink and I don't feel guilty!

Have some other tips? Share in the comments! 

xoxo,

Nikki