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Eating out is one of the greatest pleasures we have. Whether it is just for the convenience or to celebrate a special occasion or huge accomplishment, letting a great chef prepare your meal from scratch always seems to hit the spot. And it seems that the more luxurious the event, the more decadent the food. How is it possible for the health conscious individual to splurge without feeling like it is going straight to their hips? Luckily anyone can make smart choices, even in a five star French restaurant.
The easiest way to keep your caloric intake down is by drinking water. Everything else is just empty calories. The next is by always choosing a vegetable as your side. You can go all the way by requesting it to be steamed, but simply getting rid of the deep-fried potatoes is a huge step in the right direction. Even if the side was a baked potato or rice, you’re still avoiding unnecessary carbs and substituting vitamins and minerals. Avoid the (likely deep-friend) appetizers and watch the amount of dressing you put on your salad. A simple squirt of lemon juice is incredibly flavorful with a negligible caloric intake. If this celebration is taking place at a steakhouse, avoid the red meat and enjoy a perfectly grilled chicken breast.
If this is a special occasion and dessert is an absolute necessity, order smart. Avoid ice cream and whipped cream. As a matter of fact, keep the dairy count to a minimum in the dessert part. Pie can easily be split amongst several people. If you’re fortunate enough to be dining at a restaurant with sorbet, snap it up. Try to share with at least one person, but don’t feel guilty if you absolutely have to share it with someone else. If your meal has been good up until now, a little sugar won’t break your belt.
