Eating out is fun and a great way to spend time with your family but it can also be a major belly buster! Many restaurants use excessive amounts of butter and oils to make food tasty. Restaurants offer larger portions than what you would normally eat and often the menu is filled with deep fried foods.
Since the beginning of 2011, all chain restaurants in New York City, like MacDonald’s and Starbucks, must display the caloric content of all food products. This is making parents think twice before buying their children a single fast food meal, that often contains half the calories that they require for an entire day. The goal of this law was to make it easier for people to make healthy choices at fast food chains, but what are your options at a sit down restaurant?
Here are a few tips to remember to help keep dining out with your family nutritious and delicious!
1) An hour or so before you and your family have planned to go out to eat, give your kids a light snack (an apple or carrots). When you get to the restaurant their stomachs will not be completely empty, and this can help prevent overeating.
2) Drink lots of water before and during your meal. This not only helps to keep diners well hydrated, it aids in preventing overeating. It will also stop your kids from drinking high sugar and high calorie soda type beverages.
3) If bread or nachos are placed on the table at the beginning of the meal, try your best to avoid gorging on them. These foods will fill you up before you have even had a chance to look at the menu.
3) Have your kids share a meal with each other or with you. If you all want different menu items have the waiter box up half of the meal ahead of time. This is another way to avoid over eating.
3) Avoid deep fried foods. If your kids love French fries have them try baked yam fries instead.
4) Grilled or BBQ meats are always healthy choices. Choose these over battered and breaded meats.
5) On salads, ask to replace creamy dressings with a simple oil and vinegar combo.
6) If your child has a sweet tooth, look for a healthy choice on the dessert menu like fruit salads or frozen yogurt. If the restaurant does not offer anything like this, promise your kids a dessert treat once you get home, and have frozen yogurt or fruit parfait waiting.
It is important to be a good role model when eating out. Your kids will want to pick healthier items if they see you consistently choose healthier items. You can’t order burgers and French fries for yourself and expect them to want vegetables. Lead by example!
Super Sprowtz 