DINING OUT
Here are a few tips to help you with your dining out choices.
I have a flow chart but it wont upload so here are some pointers below… I will work on a flow chart to upload for you to print and download!! 🙂
PROTEINS
BREADED OR FRIED—-NO THANKS
GRILLED/BROILED/BAKED OR BLACKENED—PERFECT!
(IF THERE IS A SAUCE, ASK FOR IT ON THE SIDE AND USE SPARINGLY!)
SIDE OPTIONS:
POTATOES– ARE YAMS OR SWEET POTATOES AVAILABLE?
IF YES—-PERFECT! (NO BUTTER PLEASE!)
IF NO—ASK FOR EXTRA VEGGIES (NO BUTTER PLEASE)
RICE– IS STEAMED BROWN RICE AVAILABLE?
IF YES—PERFECT
IF NO– ASK FOR EXTRA VEGGIES (NO BUTTER PLEASE)
VEGGIES– ALWAYS SAFE AND CAN BE REPLACED FOR A STARCHY CARB
ASK FOR VEGGIES TO BE STEAMED OR GRILLED!! (NO BUTTER PLEASE)
IF SAUTEED– ASK WHAT TYPE OF OIL THEY ARE SAUTEED IN– IF OLIVE OR CANOLA OIL—OKAY BUT BETTER IF GRILLED OR STEAMED.
IF YOU ORDER A SALAD, ASK FOR DRESSING ON THE SIDE AND USE SPARINGLY. IT IS ALWAYS SAFE TO ASK FOR OLIVE OIL AND VINEGAR ON THE SIDE!!
ANY SAUCE/CREAMS/BUTTERS— ALWAYS ON THE SIDE!
Thanks Gina!
Now that I think of it, I remember you posting something (I can’t remember if it was a menu of some kind) with the different options at mimi’s cafe, pfchangs and maybe some others on your old site. It was a while back though. It will be nice to just have a little “go-to” guide in my wallet. Thanks again. Off to do light legs & cardio! Have a great weekend 🙂
Hello Gina,
Great tips here… Obvious ones that we don’t always think about when we are caught in the moment. What I also do is, eat before I eat! Crazy enough, in times of contest prep, if I am going out with friends, I arrive at the restaurant fully fed and that way I am not tempted by everything that’s on the menu – and then a nice salad doesn’t seem too boring 🙂
Miranda– Yes, I did post that a while back and can post something similar again. Why don’t you give me your top 3-5 restaurants and I will give you my “gina’s approved” choices. If you ever have any questions as you go out, just let me know and I can help guide you…
Claudine– You are on it! This is my number one tip! Eat before you go out to eat. It sounds funny but you are absolutely right, if you go with out an empty stomach you are not starving when you get there and tempted to indulge. I know how I get when I am hungry, everything looks good! Not only is it important to eat first so you wont be hungry when you get there but by the time you drive to the restaurant, park, get a table, order and in the middle of chatting with friends/family, it is already time for your next meal. Imagine if you wouldn’t of eaten?! I also always carry a little baggie of almonds in my purse, just in case! You are absolutely right, eat first and even if you just supplement that meal with a salad, at least you can still enjoy your meal with everyone without being too hungry! Glad you know that tip, that is huge in helping you with your success! EAT BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO EAT…:)
Hey Gina!
Well, you’ve already answered the PF Chang’s! honestly, nowadays I’m LOVING anything – even just plain cxn – wrapped in lettuce… such a “mentally” satiating feeling! But I think I’ve got the idea of it – fresh cooked veggies and clean proteins!! Clean carbs if they have them, and everything else — leave on the table! Lol… Thanks for the support Gina.
Awesome!! I am so happy you are loving all your healthy foods!! This is a such a huge step in the right diretion as we conquer our balanced way of living! You are absolutely right, fresh cooked veggies (no Butter– steamed or grilled) and clean proteins, again no butter–steamed or grilled
only carbs are our clean carbs (yams, sweet potatoes, brown rice– no butter) or extra veggies and you can’t go wrong. Most restaurants now a days have the lettuce wraps so if you add the lettuce cups on the side, you can always make your wraps, just my little two cents!!! 🙂 There are always options when you go out!! Just knowing how to order. You’ve got it! 🙂
Hi Gina- I was wondering if you could give me Gina Approved Choices for Olive Garden. Options I was looking at were salad with no dressing, mixed grill plain or venetian apricot chicken with no sauce?
Thanks so much for the healthy snacks post and eating out posts. They will help me so much when my family comes into town for a month.
Any chance you might have a top 5 healthy snack options for kids:-) My son is 5 and nieces are 10, 12 and I want to have healthy options for them when we go sight seeing in Seattle…
Have a great weekend,
Teri
hi Teri!!! I will post this on the homepage.. 🙂 Glad the healthy snacks and tips are helping you!! It is all about being mentally and physically prepared! Check the homepage for your answers… 🙂 Have fun with your family!!