Thoughtless Eating

The Globe and Mail has an article on what to avoid in dining out for ‘healthy eating'.

The first tip kind of blows me away –

“To prevent overordering and overeating, don't arrive hungry. Don't skip breakfast or lunch in an effort to save calories. Eating a mid-morning and/or midafternoon snack will also help curb your appetite for lunch and dinner.”

Why bother to eat at all if I am not hungry? Truly, what is the point of dining out and ordering a meal in a restaurant if one isn’t hungry? I just don’t get that.

Anyways, onward with all the ‘thou shall”whatevers or not.

Avoid calorie-laden starters such as creamy dips, breaded chicken wings and anything deep fried. Lower calories appetizers include soup (broth based, not cream based), side salad (minus bacon, cheese and croutons), shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon. To avoid extra calories, say no to the bread basket.

Menu items that are fried, basted, braised, au gratin, crispy, escalloped, pan-fried, pan-seared, sautéed, stuffed and butter-brushed are usually high in fat and calories. Look for broiled, grilled, poached, steamed or baked items. Choose tomato-based pasta dishes rather than ones made with creamy alfredo or rose sauces.

Salad entrees that come laden with cheese, bacon and plenty of dressing can have more fat and calories than an all-dressed burger. Ask for salad dressing to be served on the side so you can control how much you use.

Always ask if a smaller portion is available. If not, take half of your meal home. Instead of a large entree, order two appetizers, or an appetizer and a salad, as your meal. Or share an entree. Many steak dinners weigh eight to 10 ounces - a perfect share size.

Stay clear of higher sodium menu items described as pickled, marinated, smoked, barbequed, teriyaki, soy sauce, broth, miso, gravy, bacon and, of course, salted or salty. Sauces, ketchup, mustard and pickles add considerably to the sodium content of a meal. Request them separate from your meal and use them sparingly.

Oy vey. If I had to eat like this I would never eat out again. Here’s the deal, eat her way and all the pleasure goes out in dining out or you can eat my way – go Greek

or Lebanese - and enjoy yourself without the fuss or muss.