Food: Eating Out and Healthy Choices
- Coastal Fitness and Correction
- Written By: Christina Blahovich
Whether it’s a night out with family and friends or a quick, necessary stop for essential food, eating out can present a challenge to making healthy choices for your diet and lifestyle. So many factors like cooking methods, portion sizes, and added sides or sauces can impact the quality of the meal you eat out. Consider some of these helpful tips from ACE Fitness to aid in supporting your best and healthiest meal out and about.
Read the Menu Thoughtfully
Carefully read the menu, including all listed ingredients and additions. Whenever possible, read the menu before eating out and create a plan that can help you best support your own personal goals to help you stick to your regular diet as best as possible. Check each item for quality ingredients. How is the meal made? Is it deep-fat fried? Packed with sodium? Does it contain extra sauces that could hide extra calories, sugars, etc.? Thoughtfully consider all the elements included so that you can wisely choose what you want to eat.
Stick to the Basics: Protein, Fiber, and Healthy Fats
When in doubt, stick to what you know works best for your body and powers it: high-quality protein, healthy fat, and foods high in fiber. Look for foods that feature these elements, such as grilled fish tacos with guacamole and salsa. Be aware of foods high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar. If you find a dish that has additions you don’t want, ask if or what can be removed. Choose a simple dish that you know will make your body feel full and content.
Watch Portion Sizes and Sides
Portion sizes can often be generous to what your body actually needs to eat for a meal. Consider the size of plate you usually eat at home when you thoughtfully plan meals and compare that with the meal you have when you are out. Be present with your meal when you eat out. Enjoy the whole process! When or if you feel full, listen to what your body is telling you and make the best decision to limit your portion to your normal.
Monitor Drinks
Drinks of all kinds can contain calories and added sugars. Consider what it is that you are drinking when you are out and how it could be adding unnecessarily to your diet. While it is important to stay hydrated and while some drinks contain healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the addition of other elements may not be to your benefit. Liquids are much more easily digested and metabolized by your body, and they may often not give the same satiety that a fibrous meal of food can. Monitor what it is you’re drinking and whether you find it necessary for your meal out.
Above all, remember that mindfulness is key. Enjoy your meal when you eat out! Be thoughtful about your choices, own your choices, and simply enjoy being out and experiencing the craft of cuisine. At Coastal Fitness and Correction, a corrective exercise journey means supporting how you make choices in your everyday life—like eating out. Enjoy the experience with pride, knowing that you made the best possible decisions for you, your body, and your fitness goals!
Find the full article at: How to Make Healthy Food Choices When Dining Out
Coastal Fitness and Correction focuses on each client individually by designing unique programs based on:
- Orthopedic Considerations
- Post-rehab Injuries
- Prehab & Post-rehab of Surgical Repairs
- Neurological Conditions
- Cancer Diagnosis
Through measured progress of strength, range of motion, stability, and mobility, we are here to empower clients to live each day at their highest and healthiest ability. To connect with your Orthopedic or Cancer Exercise Specialist in Sarasota, Florida click here.