For many people, the start of a new year is a chance to eat better and make healthier living choices. Choosing to eat healthier does not mean you have to give up dining at your favorite waterfront restaurant. It just means making smarter food choices. To help you stay on track with your goal, here are some tips for selecting foods.  

Plan Ahead

Planning your calories ahead of your trip to the restaurant can help you avoid going overboard for the day. For instance, if you plan to eat dinner at the restaurant, try to have a light lunch to balance out the calories from eating out later that evening.

Read the Menu

Most menus offer enough details about the food so you can get an idea of which foods are healthiest for you. In some restaurants, nutrition facts information sheets are readily available.

Some restaurants even have an alternative menu that is specifically for people who are looking for healthy, low fat, and light meals.

Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Modifications

While looking at the menu, consider every food listed as negotiable. You can ask the server for changes to the foods you want to make them healthier for you. For instance, if you want to avoid fried meats, ask the server to request that yours is grilled.

You can even ask for changes to the serving sizes. You can ask for extra veggies and less meat or even a smaller cut of meat and a large salad.

Before ordering your meal, ask how it is prepared, too. Ensure that what is listed on the menu is actually how it is done.

Order First

If you are dining with others, be the first one to order. By ordering first, you can ensure your order is already placed when your friends and family start to order. As a result, your eating choices are less likely to be influenced by what others are eating.  

Box Half Your Meal

Ask the server to box half of your meal before it even reaches the table. Many entrée meals are more than one serving. By boxing half, you can ensure that you do not overeat. You can take the rest home and save it for another day.

It can be difficult to maintain a resolution of eating healthier, but it is possible. By making smarter decisions when you eat out, you can ensure that one dining experience does not result in guilty feelings.