How to order when eating out

YS Team

EATING OUT is fun and relaxing. All you have to do is order the right kind of food to keep a check on calories while eating at restaurants. Dining out does not have to be a catastrophe.

Just keep these realities in check before you order:

1. Extensive menu—The more choices you are offered, the more likely you are to find something appropriate to suit your taste and diet.

2. Preparations—While ordering, ask how the dish is prepared and make your preferences clear

 3. Sharing is the answer—Order one dish for two or three to prevent overeating.

4. Never go hungry—Eat a piece of fruit on the way to the restaurant to put that appetite under control.

Ordering Soup

 Settle for the clear variety. Avoid creamy soups as they have a high fat content.

Ordering Appetisers

 Settle for a fruit-based starter or a raw vegetable tray with a dip or anything steamed with vegetables.

Ordering Snacks 

In fast food restaurants, it is best to order a sandwich. However, avoid the double-decker ones as they give more calories than you need. Stick to idlis, uthapams and plain dosas.

Ordering Drinks

 Instead of aerated beverages, order half a glass of orange or apple juice or one glass of watermelon juice or warm water with some lime squeezed in it. Tea without sugar, coffee and diet aerated drinks are wise options too.

Ordering Salad

 Request that mayonnaise or any cream based dressing be left off your sandwich. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes and salads with lots of nuts.

Ordering Bread

Most breads have a fair amount of calories but whole-wheat bread has extra nutrients and dietary fibre. If you are at an Indian restaurant, ask for whole-wheat chapattis or a tandoori roti. Plain rice and a light dal is a good alternative to a greasy biryani. Remember, half cup cooked rice is equivalent to having one piece of bread or roti.

Ordering the main course

 Go easy on the gravies and sauces as they are oil-based and account for most of the fat and calorie-content in your meal. Avoid casseroles and creamed vegetables at all costs. If you are eating Chinese, order lightly-stirred or steamed vegetables. If you enjoy fried rice or fried noodles, mix them with a bit of steamed rice and stewed noodles to dilute the fried stuff.

If you are ordering Indian food, stick to the mildly marinated tandoori vegetables, plain lentils and dry tandoori rotis. Definitely skip the malai and butter gravies.

Ordering Dessert

While ordering dessert say no to pie, cake, ice-cream, pudding, whipped cream, cheese-cake, pastry and Indian mithais like gulab jamun and jalebi. Say yes to fruit salad or jelly minus the icecream.

The more you do to create your food, such as adding your own toppings, dressings and sauces, the better off you will be. Be ready to choose wisely by thinking through the menu before you arrive at the order counter.