Sunday, March 14, 2010

Dining Out (Part I): Choosing a Restaurant

Where you eat and what you order can set the table for an increased risk of heart disease. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can eat out and eat healthy, too. Many restaurants offer delicious meals that are low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, or they’ll prepare your food to order. Ensure that the meals you eat away from home are part of a healthy diet. ~ The American Heart Association


Choosing a Restaurant

It’s important to understand what's on the menu when you eat out. The good news: You can eat heart-healthy if you know what to look for. Many restaurants offer delicious meals that are low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, or will prepare your food to order. With a little bit of effort, you can ensure that the meals you eat away from home are part of a healthy diet.


When choosing a restaurant, follow these tips:

  • Try to avoid restaurants that offer all-you-can-eat buffets or specials, because you’re more likely to eat more food (and more calories) than you need.
  • If you're familiar with a restaurant’s menu, decide what you're going to order before you go. That will help you avoid the temptation of ordering meals high in fat.
I've included a link to "Healthy Dining Finder" that contains dietitian-approved menu items from fast food to fine dining. http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/learnmore/default.asp. You can search for a restaurant with healthy dining options by selecting a state and/or city along with a price range. If you're interested in the criteria used to select healthy meal items click here.

Note: Many of the dishes listed on this website are high in sodium, and they are, therefore, inappropriate for those individuals who want or need to limit sodium intake. Sodium values are listed, so that such individuals can make informed choices.
 
 Picture Credits:
Photograph has been taken from the American Heart Association

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