Going out to eat or ordering takeout is an easy meal solution for busy weeknights and lazy weekends, but restaurant food is often high in calories and sodium and low in nutrients. However, eating well doesn’t mean you always have to cook from scratch. Try these three tips to get a nutritious meal at your favorite restaurant.
Look at the Nutrition Facts
Most restaurants in Peoria, AZ, offer basic nutrition information for all their food choices. Some print it right on the menu, while others make it accessible on their websites. If nutrition information isn’t readily available, try asking your waiter or waitress. Another option is to plug your individual meal items into a calorie-counting app for a rough estimate.
Go for Grilled
Meat gets a lot of heat for being unhealthy, but most of the calories and saturated fat in restaurant meat dishes are from the breading and frying oil. Make your chicken strips, shrimp or pork chops leaner and healthier for your heart by ordering them off the grill instead.
Choose Veggie Sides
Vegetables are typically low in calories and packed with nutrients. Swap your side of fries for broccoli, grilled tomatoes or steamed asparagus. If you must have a potato to round out your meal, try a baked spud loaded with veggie toppings like mushrooms and peppers. Many restaurants in Peoria, AZ, offer a variety of healthy side dishes and can make substitutions at no extra cost.
