Valentine’s day is
looming and with it comes the prospect of being wined and dined by your loved
one… But what and where should you eat if you don’t want to destroy your diet
in the process?
Here are some top
tips for enjoying a healthy Valentine’s meal out that won’t sabotage your
weight loss goal in the process.
1. Before you go
out. Have a healthy snack before getting to the restaurant. This way, you won’t
be ravenous when you arrive making you want to devour everything on the menu.
Not a good look!
2. Avoid the bread
basket. If you fancy something to start your meal with, opt for olives instead.
Bread will cause a spike in your blood sugar levels promoting cravings and
hunger pangs later on.
3. Alcohol. If
you’re planning to drink alcohol with your meal, don’t drink on an empty
stomach. Having some food first will slow the absorption of alcohol into your
system and limit the negative effects alcohol has on your blood sugar level.
The great news is that Champagne is among the lowest calorie and lowest carb
option – we’ll drink to that!
4. Ordering. When
ordering, remember you can ask for something different to what’s on the menu.
For example, ask for the chips to be replaced with some seasonal vegetables or
a fresh salad. Cream based sauces can be switched for healthier tomato options.
5. Avoid
carbohydrate based meals like pasta, rice and noodle dishes. Go for a meal
based on protein such as seafood, fish, lean meat, or vegetarian proteins such
as beans and lentils (Indian restaurants usually offer a variety) or tofu
(commonly available at oriental restaurants).
6. Get out of bad
habits. It’s easy to quickly rack up the calorie content of your meal out
through bad habits. Think twice before automatically ordering a side dish of
doughballs /chips or starting your meal with poppadums / prawn crackers.
7. Eat slowly.
Enjoy your meal and recognise when you are full. Eating out doesn’t have to
mean over eating.
8. Sip water
throughout your meal. We often confuse thirst for hunger causing us to over
eat. Sipping water will also slow down your eating and drinking of alcohol.
9. Where to eat?
Choose restaurants whose nationalities have the healthiest populations. For
example, oriental restaurants such as Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese provide much
healthier choices than an American burger bar! (nb. If your other half
tries to take you for a burger on Valentines, it may be time to consider the
future of your relationship!)
10. Desserts. If
you fancy something sweet at the end of your meal, why not share a dessert (and
half the calories!) with your loved one instead of having one all to yourself?
Or you could be truly virtuous and ask for a bowl of fruit such as raspberries
and strawberries.
Follow these simple
tips and ensure that this Valentine’s day, you’ll begin fall in love with your
gorgeous new figure as well as the man in your life!
FULLfast
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