How to eat well & eat out

Charina Urban
Mar 31, 2017
3 min read

There are two daunting occasions when eating well becomes the biggest struggle.

Eating out and WEEKENDS.

The weekends are supposed to be for relaxing and not being stressed by having to make big meals right?

Weekends (and some weekdays) are meant for eating out and not having to wash dishes right?

Then why are these also the times our eating right and calorie intake goes out the window? Well because that fruity drink is just so tempting and "I could never cook this or fry that at home!" becomes our mantra. And all the hard work and staying in target goes out the window with the rest of the work week.

Well I'm here to tell you, eating out, having a few drinks, and the weekends do not have to be the end all of the great process you've made during the week. In fact, they can be times to try new foods, broaden your pallet, and strengthen your determination.

I will note that the tips I share in this post have worked for me, tremendously. I understand they may not work for everyone, but I think you'll find if you truly give it a shot, you can do it!

Look at the menu BEFORE you get to the restaurant. Take a few minutes to look over what the restaurant offers and then decide what you are going to order. All before you're even seated. Most places offer healthier options such as low calorie or Weight Watchers items. And of course you can always choose a mixed salad as an easy go-to. Looking at and deciding on what you're going to eat before getting to the restaurant can eliminate the rushed feeling you get to order. When you feel rushed or anxious, it's a lot easier to choose something you're familiar with or tempted by. So go in with a game-plan. And stick with it!

PS. Here's what I ordered from Paseo Grill in OKC for lunch today. It's the Vegetarian Napoleon. Squash, zucchini, eggplant, mushroom, toasted pine nut orzo, and spinach. SO GOOD.

(Paseo Grill is a great place to grab lunch or go for an upscale fancier date night. Check 'em out!)

2. Think about and DECIDE how many drinks (other than water) you're going to order. Other beverages such as sweet tea, soda, lemonade, or alcoholic mixed drinks have tons of extra calories. If you want something other than water with your meal, consciously think about and COMMIT to the number of drinks you'll have. Obviously this is a good tool to use when drinking alcohol to avoid any un-pleasantries, but it also works well for avoiding feeling like you've just undone all your days of hard work with a few sips. And again, it's a lot easier to stick to something when you make the decision in a different non-pressuring environment.

3. When you get your meal and it looks too big to eat in one sitting, it probably is. We start by eating with our eyes, so pay attention to what they are telling you. If the meal looks too big, ask for a to-go box right away. Then split your meal in half, placing half in the to-go box. Our minds often trick us into thinking that we need to eat everything on our plates, even if our stomachs are telling us we are full. So make it simple, and lessen the stuff on your plate!

4. My final tip is to try and drink a cup of water before you eat. This can be before you get to the restaurant or once you're there and waiting to order. Doing so will help fill you up faster. This way you won't want to keep eating just because there is food on your plate or be tempted by that five layer chocolate cake. This is especially helpful at Mexican places where you just want to fill up on chips and tortillas before you ever even order an entree.

I hope you find these tips helpful this weekend and whenever you eat out. Of course meal planning is also always a great solution to the eating out and weekend food binge woes.

You can follow along with my meal plans here . I'd love to hear what other tips you use when eating out or making it through the weekends, as well as, how mine work for you!