Summer is all about enjoying longer days and warm evenings and, of course, a lot of eating out. Food is a big part of the fun, from barbecue parties and beach snacks to dining with friends. However, balancing enjoying these moments with maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be tough, especially if you’re trying to monitor your diet.
This article will provide useful tips to help you navigate summer dining. We'll show you how to pick healthier options, manage portion sizes, and indulge smartly so you can enjoy every meal without guilt.
Whether you’re at a beach bar or a BBQ special restaurant, our strategies will help you savour the flavours of summer while keeping your health goals in check. Get ready to make your summer dining experiences both enjoyable and balanced.
Check Online Menu Before You Dine
Many restaurants now offer the convenience of viewing their menus online, including their summer specials. Before heading out, you just take the opportunity to review the menu and decide what you'll order. This approach allows you to avoid the temptation of less healthy choices when ordering on the spot.
Food ordering platforms such as ChefOnline allow you to order takeaway or reserve your table. You can also check the menu on the website or from the mobile app, which is available on both the Google Play Store and App Store.
Planning ahead ensures that you stick to your dietary goals and enhances your dining experience by eliminating any indecision at the table. It means you can fully enjoy your meal, be confident in your choice, and be committed to maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
Know Your Meal Plan
When dining out, commit to choosing dishes that feature lean proteins and vegetables and steer clear of high-calorie extras such as heavy dressings and condiments. Opting for simpler, more wholesome ingredients helps you maintain your dietary goals and keep your body cool during hot weather.
This mindful approach to ordering can significantly reduce calorie intake without sacrificing satisfaction. Embrace this strategy to enhance your dining experience. It empowers you to make health-conscious choices while indulging in delicious meals. Enjoy your food with confidence, without feeling uncomfortable.
Don’t Show Up Starving
Don't skip breakfast or snacks to save up for a big meal later. Showing up too hungry can lead you to overeat. Instead, maintain a balanced diet with a nutritious breakfast and snacks throughout the day. This approach helps keep your blood sugar levels stable, preventing the spikes and crashes that lead to excessive snacking and can throw your diet off course.
By managing your hunger, you'll be better positioned to make smart choices at the dinner table, allowing you to enjoy your meal responsibly and with greater satisfaction. Stick to this eating pattern to make your dining experiences enjoyable and healthy.
Start Green
You should start your meal with a side salad to incorporate a healthy serving of vegetables and help curb your appetite before the main dish arrives. Always look for options like Caesar Salad or other protein-based salads that are delicious and healthy at the same time.
Opt for simplicity by skipping high-calorie toppings like croutons and cheese, and request the dressing on the side. This way, you control how much you add, keeping the calorie count in check.
Starting with a salad boosts your nutrient intake and prevents you from overeating when your main course is served. It's a smart, simple strategy to enjoy your meal fully while staying aligned with your health goals.
Be Careful About The Portion
Restaurant portions can be surprisingly large, often providing two or three times what you might normally eat in a meal. To manage this, consider sharing a meal with a friend or saving half of your dish for another meal.
Alternatively, you could order from the kids' menu, which typically offers smaller portions, or select a few healthy appetisers instead of a full-sized meal. These strategies not only help you control your portion sizes but also allow you to enjoy a variety of flavours and dishes without overindulging. Smart dining choices like these can make eating out enjoyable and healthy.
Ask for Healthy Cooking Options
Don’t hesitate to ask for what you want when dining out. Opt for dishes prepared in healthier ways, such as steamed, broiled, or grilled, rather than breaded, battered, or fried. Feel free to request changes to your dish, like substituting ingredients or eliminating butter or cream.
If these modifications aren't possible, ask your server to recommend healthier options on the menu. Instead of ordering any fried food, you can enjoy grilled dishes like tandoori chicken, king prawn, chicken tikka, that are delicious but cooked in a healthy way.
Taking control of how your food is prepared aligns with healthier eating habits and enhances your dining experience. This ensures you can enjoy your meal without compromising your dietary goals.
Make Reservations
Waiting for a table when you’re hungry can be frustrating, and it's easy to let your hunger make decisions for you once you're seated. To avoid this, consider making a reservation ahead of time.
This way, you can skip the wait, reduce the risk of ordering impulsively, and ensure that you make thoughtful choices about your meal. Booking in advance secures your spot and allows you to approach the dining experience calmly and enjoyably, with the comfort of knowing your table is waiting for you.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial all year, but it's especially important during summer when you're more likely to lose water through sweat and evaporation. As you keep up with your hydration, remember what you're drinking. Calories from beverages can accumulate fast, so opting for zero-calorie or low-calorie options is wise.
With many drinks available, it’s good to remember that fruit-infused or plain water remains one of the best choices. These options are low in calories and effectively hydrate your body, helping you stay refreshed and energised for all your summer activities.
Choose Refreshing Dessert
Dining out can’t be complete without dessert. But you don’t want to eat a heavy dessert filled with cream and feel bad later. Doing so will not only add extra calories to your meal but also make you sick due to the hot weather.
Instead, you can order desserts made with fresh seasonal fruits. Most restaurants offer summer specials that are refreshing and full of flavour. Desserts like lemon tart, strawberry shortcakes, or ice cream made of fresh fruits can be good options.
Wrapping Up
Remember that balance is key to making summer dining healthy and enjoyable. By planning ahead, choosing more nutritious options, and managing portions, you can savour the season's flavours without compromising your wellness goals.
Opt for dishes prepared in lighter ways, stay hydrated with low-calorie drinks, and treat yourself to fresh, fruity desserts. Making reservations can also enhance your experience by reducing wait times. This summer, let these strategies help you enjoy every meal out with confidence and satisfaction, blending good health with great tastes in every bite.
And if you love any of these restaurants during your summer eat out, don’t forget to nominate them for the upcoming ARTA. To find out more visit artauk.com.
