There's a way to keep those extra pounds off even after a trip to your favorite restaurant(s). No, there are no tips about paying for that pizza slice later on with a thousand push ups or activating your core while you're waiting for your meal or tab.
You'll need a commitment to be mindful about what kind of food you eat and how much, though.
Go for Real Dessert
And by real, it means treats that actually look the way they do when they were plucked from its tree, shrub, or loamy resting place. So, instead of ordering that gooey chocolate cake collapsing under the weight of its rich (also) chocolate icing, why don't you ask for strawberries or blueberries topped with whipped cream for a bit of excitement? Even if it's not on the menu.
According to Time, these two fruits are known to be the best for fat loss.
"One cup of mixed berries topped with 3 tablespoons of whipped cream has only about 117 calories, compared with 492 in a piece of tiramisu and 411 in a slice of apple pie," the news source clarified.
Skip the Soda
Liquid calories are dangerous. Think of them as weight gain time bombs - you pile on the pounds more quickly with them.
Instead, go for low-sugar beverages or soda water/seltzer infused with citrus for an extra kick. Better yet, ask for a glass of water to go with your meal.
If you must drink alcohol, go for wine, light beer or a wine spritzer, and keep your consumption limited to one glass, Woman's Day said.
Be Careful about Portions
"Order your whole meal off the appetizer menu. Or order your entrée off the kids' menu-who cares that you're over age 9?" Time said. "You're allowed to order as much, or as little, as you want, so take advantage of that fact."
Keep in mind that restaurant meal portions may be "pre-super sized" and that you may end up eating more than you need to.
You can also consider sharing your meal or doggie bagging the remaining portion if you ordered the full-sized portions.
Make Special Requests
You can ask to have the sauces served separately so you have more control over how much to add to your food, instead of having to deal with a sinfully slathered main course and ruining your weight loss efforts in the process. You can also ask to substitute a rather rich side dish with a low-calorie one, like steamed veggies.
Also, you can help yourself resist temptation better by requesting that "no chips or bread be brought to the table before you order," The Atlantic said.
"If you know you are going to eat out, make your other meals during the day lighter; however, don't skip meals because you may end up overeating later," the publication added.
Have something to add to these tips? Let us know!
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