Healthy options when eating out

For most of us, eating out is part of life it is something we all enjoy. However it can be all too easy to forget good intentions about healthy eating and end up over-indulging in the wrong foods.

By following a few simple tips it is possible to make healthy choices when dining out:

 Choose a fruit-based starter like melon and fresh pineapple for dessert. Avoid the bread basket, or if you must have some, choose whole meal bread over white

 Clear broths or vegetable soups are a great option, but avoid cream-based ones

 Choose fish and ask for grilled- white fish is extremely low fat and is a great source of protein

 Look at how the dish is cooked- go for grilled or baked foods over fried or roasted.

Swap ice-cream for a less calorific and more refreshing sorbet

Watch your alcohol intake-while one or two drinks a day may be beneficial to health and could help protect against heart disease and osteoporosis, any more than this can have the opposite effect. If you are watching your weight, it is worth noting that alcohol contains a substantial 7 calories per gram {carbohydrates and protein both contain around 4calories per gram} and also increases appetite.

 Slimmers should also to stick to one or two course instead of the full three, and watch portion size

Away have vegetable and /or salad-more importantly make sure you eat the

Restaurant guide   

Spanish          

Tapas portions are usually small, but large amounts of olive oil are often used, pushing up the calorie content. A tip is to dab off the excess oil with a serviette or piece of bread {don’t eat it afterwards though!}. Gazpacho is a healthy option; packed with nutrient and very filling.

Tapas also tend to be salty so watch how many drinks you have. Quenching your thirst with Spanish beer {around 200 calories a bottle} or sangria {100 calories a glass} soon adds up