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Jun 20, 2022|Diet Tips, Health Tips, Weight Loss

What to Order When Dining Out

Have you wondered what to order when dining out? Follow some of these tips to avoid derailing your diet!

Basic Tips:

Ask for a to-go bag and immediately check the weight on the protein item, cut protein in half if needed.

  • Check on cooking preparation – marinades, butter, oils, and sauces
  • Get vegetables instead of starchy items like rice and potatoes
  • No rice, noodles, breads, or pastas

 

American Cuisine: What to Order When Dining Out

A diverse flavorful menu that consists of homey, unique, comfortable, gourmet, and casual options. Here are some menu items in a traditional steakhouse:

  • Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer with a side of vegetables (no butter)
  • Chicken or Shrimp Ceasar Salad (no croutons, and use dressing from Calla Slimspa list)
  • Grilled Chicken on the Barbie
  • Atlantic Salmon or Lobster Tails with vegetables on the side (no butter)
  • Steak (consume in moderation, go for leaner cuts and non-cream sauces and no butter on top)

Fast Food:

  • Soup/Salad Combo: Broth-based soups that contain vegetables and garden salads with grilled chicken (portion you have allotted for the meal and dressings from Calla Slimspa list)
  • Plain hamburger or grilled chicken sandwich without the bun, and add a side salad
  • Grilled chicken nuggets

 

Asian Cuisine (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Thai, and Others)

Use chopsticks! The chopsticks help you to eat slower since you can’t get as much food in each bite. NO sweet-and-sour or coconut sauces! Go for the ponzu, wasabi, ginger, and low-sodium soy sauces instead. The following are menu items worth considering:

  • Egg Drop, Miso, or Hot-and-Sour Soup
  • Edamame
  • Cucumber Chicken Salad, no croutons
  • Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps
  • Lightly stir-fried entrees with lots of boiled, broiled, steamed vegetables

 

Indian Cuisine- What to Order When Dining Out

Although many traditional Indian entrees are prepared with clarified butter, fried, or sauteed, it doesn’t mean you have to rule out this cuisine completely. Many entrees include legumes and vegetables with meat being used as a condiment. Vegetarians and some vegans have been assigned beans as their proteins and are able to have them, however, if you have not been assigned any beans, these items should not be considered. For appetizers, start with salads or yogurt dishes containing chopped vegetables. Choose chicken and seafood over beef and lamb, and try to keep it to one protein option. Here are some standard menu items to consider: Vegetarian/vegan options include the ones with beans per meal assigned:

  • Dal Soup
  • Chicken and Cilantro Soup
  • Vegetable Soup, no croutons
  • Tandoori Tikka Salad, no croutons
  • Three Bean Salad, no potatoes if included
  • Chicken Tikka
  • Chicken Tandoori

 

Italian Cuisine

When dining Italian, eat like the Italians – lean protein and vegetables. Order dishes that contain lean meats, chicken, or fish, and ask for extra grilled vegetables on the side. When ordering entrees containing sauces, stick with marinara and tomato-based sauces rather than cheese and cream sauces. Here are some ideas:

  • Caprese Salad
  • Warm Spinach Salad
  • Chicken Ceasar Salad, no croutons and use dressing from Calla Slimspa list
  • Scallops and Spinach Salad
  • Grilled Chicken or Shrimp Spiedini
  • Grilled Salmon or Halibut

 

Mexican Cuisine – What to Order When Dining Out

Enjoy the spices and heat of Mexican cuisine without the starchy carbohydrates found in flour tortillas and rice. Many restaurants offer great choices for salads with Calla Slimspa dressing choices on the side. Use lean meats, salsa, and avocado for fillings, and go easy on the mixed cheeses. Grilled chicken and fish are usually easy to come by, but instead of rice, get extra vegetables. Here are some suggestions:

  • Guacamole (portioned; remember 1/2 medium avocado for the entire day)
  • Chicken Fajita Salad; no tortilla or bacon
  • Spicy Garlic and Lime Grilled Shrimp Salad, no croutons
  • Margarita Grilled Chicken
  • Fajitas/Enchiladas, no tortillas or taco shells, and keep it to just the filling – get lettuce for a wrap

 

Turkish Cuisine

Enjoy the diverse flavors and menu that includes vegetarian options. The cuisine consists of vegetables, fish, lamb, chicken, herbs, and olive oil. Choose meals without nuts, breads, hummus, olives, and rice. Here are some suggestions:

  • House salad without olives, use Calla Slimspa dressing choices
  • Zucchini Patties, sauteed in olive oil with yogurt sauce
  • Sis Kebab (chicken, lamb, or beef) with side vegetable
  • Chicken Patties
  • Grilled Salmon with side salad
  • Dolma made with zucchini, eggplant, and ground lamb with a side vegetable
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