two couples dining

Dining Strategies For Those On Restricted Diets: menu options when dining out

Eating out can often tempt us to indulge in our favorite comfort foods. For most people, these dishes are loaded with fat, salt and carbs. While these foods might taste great, they aren’t doing your body any good. Not only can they put you over your calorie count for the day, they can also cause uncomfortable gas and bloating.

Skip the bread basket

While it is hard to turn down a free basket of warm bread or tortilla chips, these temptations are loaded with carbs and can cause you to ingest a full meal’s worth of calories before you even get to the entree. Just decline the waiter’s offer; if it never touches your table, it won’t end up in your mouth.

Stay away from sauces

Sauces are another hidden source of unwanted fat, calories and carbs. This can be especially true when eating Chinese food that’s designed to appeal to an American palate. Americanized recipes often replace the thickening qualities of high heat with cornstarch; or use cornstarch in dishes that don’t call for marinades. Your best bet is to order meals without the sauce, but it you need a little extra flavor, get the sauce on the side.

Go grilled

“According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database, a chicken breast with skin fried in batter has 590 calories per 226 grams, or 1/2 pound, as well as 29 grams of fat and 20 grams of carbohydrates.” Frying not only adds fat,  the wheat and added sugars in breaded coatings add unnecessary carbohydrates.

Avoid the pasta and rice

Skip the pasta dishes and go straight to the soup and salad section of the menu. An antipasto plate can also provide a filling alternative. Sushi is good for you, right? Hold the rice and opt for sashimi or a grilled salmon filet – hold the (sweetened) teriyaki sauce.

Snack before you eat out

Let’s face it: now one makes a good decision on an empty stomach. Everyone knows that you shouldn’t grocery shopping when you are hungry, so why would you go to a restaurant with a ravenous appetite? Simply eating a light, high protein snack before you leave can help keep your diet on track.

Ditch the bun

Whether it is a piece of grilled chicken or a hamburger with all the toppings, it will all taste just as good without the bun. Creative alternatives include a grilled portabella mushroom or slice of beefsteak tomato/sweet potato.

No matter your dining destination, you can enjoy a meal without overindulging. Having a strategy can go a long way to avoiding triggers which cause the discomfort of gas and bloating.

If a hectic schedule or unfamiliar food causes you to experience gas and bloating, keep CharcoCaps® dietary supplement on hand; it relieves Gas and Bloating FAST!*  Enjoy your favorite foods without worry!

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Source:
http://local.dexknows.com/fried-vs-grilled-whats-the-nutritional-difference…
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCulinary/comments/redwz/is_cornstarch_used_in_a…
http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2959/hamburger-bun-alter…

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