Weight Loss Tips for the Most Popular Month to Eat Out

Did you know that the month of August is the most popular month for dining out? While this may be a boon to restaurateurs, the National Restaurant Association has compiled some other interesting tidbits of information that give real weight to what this means for you. Aside from paying for the privilege of having someone else prepare your meal and clean up after you, you may also pay a price in the form of excess calories and less nutrition. So, before you head out on the highway for that hamburger special, think about whether or not you can really afford it.

For example, according to a study conducted by the University of Texas, women consume an average of 250 more calories when dining out that they normally would having dinner at home. Maybe it’s the anticipation of receiving the bill that makes us feel like we have to eat everything on our plates. Maybe it’s simply the choices we make when ordering. Maybe it’s both.

Then there’s the nutritional downfall. Most of us think of dining out as a treat—and it is. But, the inherent problem with that kind of thinking is that a treat should equate to something we either wouldn’t prepare at home due to its complexity, or because it’s just plain too darn rich and fattening. So, rather than scan the lighter side of the menu, our eyes get big over ogling the ‘good stuff.’ Unfortunately, according to a St. Louis University study, those of us who consistently go for the ‘good stuff’ usually end up consuming 25% fewer fruits and vegetables.

So, should you just stay at home avoid the dining out versus dieting quandary altogether? Nah. You can have your cake and eat it too…if you follow these simple suggestions:

- Begin with a bountiful salad. If you can get through most of it before diving into the main course, you’ll consume an average of 100 less calories than you would skipping on the greens.


- Speaking of the salad…ask that the dressing be brought to the table on the side instead of drizzled on the salad for you. That way, you can control how much dressing to use. Remember, it’s the salad dressing that often hides the most calories in an entire meal.


- Substitute high fat and calorie side dishes (like French fries or creamed corn, for example) with a steamed vegetable. You might have to pay a small price for this substitution, but it’s small potatoes when you consider that you can save yourself from 300 or more calories.


- Here’s a novel idea: Ask your server to place half of your entrée in a take-out container before bringing your plate to the table. You’ll be spared from overeating and you’ll gain something to have for lunch the following day.