Dr. Karuna's Guide to Eating Out:
Having someone cook for you should be like going to your Mother's house without having to go to Mother's house. So, it's no wonder that many of us in the city and suburbs look for a way to 'perfect' our dining experiences.
It's important to know how to eat out, so that you come home feeling lithe and lean instead of stuffed like a barnyard pig.
Living by the list below has been my saving grace. Also, as always, choose organic, local and free-range foods as much as possible and remember to eat slowly!
SIDE DISHES: Start by looking at the side dishes that are offered. Most good restaurants offer at least two non-starch vegetable sides that can be substituted or added to an entrée. You can also create your own meal by choosing only two sides, or an appetizer and one side.
SHARING: Most restaurants serve large portions in their main course. If you are trying to 'keep it light', it is wise to share your main course with others at your table. If you are eating alone, take half your meal home to eat later. Remind yourself that it is not worth it to over stuff yourself because you feel obligated to finish a large portion.
SKIP THE STARCH: Pass on the bread bowl, the chips bowl and french fries. This tip alone will have you feeling leaner, more alert and more hungry for the nutritious part of your meal. Just pass, and feel pious! Don't wait until you are starving to eat a meal, which makes it more difficult to resist the 'pre-meal' carbohydrates.
SAY 'NO' TO: fried food, fatty meats, breaded food, rich dairy sauces, salad dressings, soda and beer. If in doubt about a food, ask the waiter specifics ("Would you call this a 'rich' dish?"), and ask for modifications if needed.
SAY 'YES' TO: Grilled, baked, broiled and roasted options: meats such as pork, lean beef, venison, buffalo or rabbit, steamed vegetables, sautéed vegetables and dairy free soups.
DESSERT: It's better to plan an outing to have dessert by itself rather than adding sugar, dairy and fat to your body after eating a full meal. This will lessen the burden on the digestion. If you want dessert after a meal, share the love and have only a few bites.
THINK AHEAD: There are many resources online that allow you to look at a restaurant menu ahead of time to make sure it fits your needs. You will make better choices if you have an idea of what you want to order. A few such sites are: www.eatwellguide.com, and www.yelp.com.
DRINKING WISDOM: Keep water drinking for 1 hour before your meals. Drinking water right before your meals will slow down digestion and create a bloated feeling. With meals, have hot tea or broth in between bites. If you want to drink alcohol, sip on wine or bitters.
