How to Make Healthier Food Choices While You’re Out

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while you’re on the go can be a challenge, especially if the majority of accessible choices is fast food. Whether you’re working a nine to five job, or you spend a significant amount of your time flying around the world on business, this doesn’t mean that you must fall off the health wagon. With the proper planning and implementation of the following tips, you can ensure that healthier choices always takes precedence in your life.

Review the nutritional information of the menu. Many restaurants including fast food chains have incorporated the calorie count for items on their menu. With such information, you’ll be able to determine what meals are beneficial for maintaining your healthy lifestyle. You can also grab a copy of the menu for future reference in case you decide to have lunch or dinner at that restaurant again. Circling the healthier menu items can cut down the time you spend scanning through the menu. Select meals that are low in calories.

While the fried items on the menu may be a tempting treat, such food does not fit into your healthy food options. Eating healthy doesn’t mean having a salad-only lifestyle. You can still enjoy delectable items such a grilled chicken on a sandwich, baked potato, salmon, vegetable wraps or other items with a low calorie count. Other healthy food options include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. While you may not be able to find such options in abundance on a restaurant menu, you can always have one or more of these items at a later point in your day. Limit your portion size by eating slowly. Chew your food slowly, so that you can enjoy each mouthful and truly savor the variety of flavors. By doing so, you’ll consume less than you would have normally done, if you were to eat without chewing as much. Eating slowly will satisfy your appetite faster, since it takes your brain up to 20 minutes to determine that you’re full. Adopting this method of food consumption can significantly reduce your chances of overeating. Avoid using high fat condiments, dressings, dips, and toppings. If you’re having salad as an appetizer, you may want to dress it up with salad dressing and the like. While such additions help add flavor to the salad, it can also pack on a few inches around the waist if you consume it on a regular basis.

Instead of covering your salad with salad dressing, ask for substitutes like olive oil, vinegar, or lemon juice. Carry snacks. Pack snacks such as fruits, nuts, pretzels, and protein bars in your carry on luggage or work bag. If you ever develop a craving for something to eat and you’re unable to find a healthy spot to have a meal, one of these snacks can help hold you over until you’re able to locate a healthy food option. Consume lots of water. Instead of choosing those super-sized sugary drinks full of calories, choose water. You’ll save money, while eliminating the chances of going over your daily calorie intake. About the author:
Written by The Park Club; a family owned gym in Chiswick London.