Eating Out while still being a Loser!

I got an email from a team member yesterday that she was going to go out to eat.  So the following was my response to that.  I think they're good tips for every one to try to follow as much as possible when eating out to make sure that you have a healthy dining experience!

Remember that when you eat out, entrees and salads are usually two or more servings each. So if you order the chicken marsala and you eat all of it, you will actually end up eating almost a thousand calories! So when you eat out, try to think about these tips and see if you can put some into practice!
1. Tell the waiter or waitress to only bring you HALF of what you order to the table. Then have them box up the other half of your food and you can take it home and eat it at LEAST 24 hours later. That way you really only have one serving.

2. Request that ALL sauces and/or dressings be put on the side. This means sauce for your entree as well. Then just dip your fork into the sauce or dressing before you take a bite of your food. You will still get the flavor but you won't eat much of the calorie laden sauces or dressings ever again!

3. When you have a choice, order BBG. Broiled, baked or grilled meats. Also ask for no oil or butter in the cooking. Believe me, I worked in food service for a long time, and every kitchen can do this!

4. Make 50% of your plate vegetables. Literally. Order an extra portion of STEAMED veggies. You'll still feel like you have lots of food and you won't have the calories of the carbs or meat! Just make sure they are steamed and not sautéd! That translates to oil!

5. Last but not least, stay away from refined carbs. This means no white pasta, bread, or rice. Don't even let the waiter bring bread to the table. Stick with water and squeeze some lemon into it! Get whole grain pasta, rice, and bread if you have to have it. If the place you are eating doesn't offer them, order more veggies!

These are just some tricks that I am now using when I go out to make sure that I still continue to stay within my food program as part of Be a Loser! I hope they are helpful to you guys!