Think You’ve Got to Pass Up Your Fave Mexican Joint?
Now hold on—I don’t mean slurp down the giant margarita while eating a bunch of tacos, I’m thinking more along the lines of hold the guacamole, cheese and the pre-meal basket of chips. While this doesn’t sound like too much fun, we can still go out to those forbidden restaurants and get out while still staying on our diets.
Yesterday, I gave you some helpful tips on what to do when you’re trying to stay on your diet, but would like to go for a night on the town. Today, I’ve got some serious info for what to do when you’ve talked yourself (or someone else has) into going to the no-diet-zone: Mexican, Italian and Chinese restaurants.
MEXICAN
Now that we’ve told the waiter to hold the chips, let’s get the other no-no’s out of the way. 86 the refried beans and ask your server for black beans, just say no to the sour cream, guacamole, flour tortillas, AND crispy taco shells.
In a Mexican joint, fajitas are a great choice since the meat will be grilled and your veggies are included. Burritos and tacos are also a great choice but nix the flour tortilla. Taco salad can also be diet friendly (minus that big greasy taco shell!) but watch the fixings. A lot of times I will order three tacos, and combine the insides of all of them on top of a big salad and there you go, a big taco salad without anything crunchy except the lettuce. Ole!
ITALIAN
Italian restaurants are a serious danger zone, let me tell you. You’re almost asking for diet drama when you head to a great Italian restaurant. The first thing that comes to mind for me is pasta primavera, which is pretty much jammed full of calories, a diet blunder and a big no-no!
However, Italian is do-able. First and most importantly, get that bread basket out of harms way. Luckily for us, many restaurants these days offer low-carb (whole wheat) pastas with low-carb sauce which cuts down the sugar and the calories. It’s also smart to stick protein such as fish, chicken or red meat. Skip the pasta side dish and ask for some steamed veggies. Most kitchens will be happy to accommodate you.
Sometimes I try getting a small side of their pasta sauce and put two tablespoons on my plate. It gives you the taste that you want and gets rid of that craving.
CHINESE
This too is a toughie. Chinese food is usually greasy, fried, delicious and fattening. If you’ve got a craving for Chinese—go the stir fried (but be careful of what they are “frying” it in) or steamed veggie and poultry items. Then your options are endless and most places will cook to order. Veggie and chicken stock soups are also a good way to go. If your entrée comes with a sauce, ask for it on the side and get no more than two tablespoons of it. You will get the taste you are looking for, but you have the control of how much sauce goes on it. Steer clear of white rice, egg rolls and crab rangoon. And for God’s sake, don’t eat the FRIED RICE!!
Now that you’re armed with all of these tips, I’m sure dining out will be a diet friendly experience.