How to Eat Out and Still Lose Body Fat

  

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As much as I would love to have everyone planning their meals ahead of time and packing food for work, I do realize that this can’t always happen. However, there is no reason to let eating out get in the way of your fat loss goals. I can honestly say that there isn’t a single place (within reason) that I have been to where I couldn’t order something that fits the Eastpointe Health & Fitness Nutritional Guidelines. Here are a few quick tips to keep you moving closer to your 2012 goals.

1. Keep your rules in mind. This is the easy part. Focus the meal around some sort of protein. Fill the void with either a fruit or vegetable. Don’t forget to include some healthy fats.
2. Avoid “Whole Wheat” wraps and order the “insides” instead. 99% of wraps that you order for a “healthy” lunch are full of processed and refined carbohydrates that are going to set you back from your goals. However, I’ve noticed most wraps will have some pretty good ingredients inside them. So when you see a wrap that has spinach, grilled chicken, tomatoes, and salsa, don’t be afraid to order “the wrap without the wrap.” This leads to our third tip.
3. Don’t be afraid to make changes. Most restaurants are more than willing to make changes to your order to make sure you, the customer, get what you want. You know what the rules are so instead of just throwing up your hands and giving in to bad choices, be polite and ask for what you want. 
4. Keep your salads in check. A lot of our members are shocked when they learn that some of their favorite salads have close to 1000 calories in them. Make sure you have some sort of protein in the salad. Grilled chicken is probably the easiest choice to add to a salad. Avoid the dressing and just ask if you can have some oil and vinegar on the side. If you’re not a dressing person anyway, make sure you don’t neglect getting some healthy fats like sliced avocado to balance out the meal.
5. Find a place with quality ingredients. This is important. Sure you can grab some chicken in a salad from a convenience store or chain restaurant, but often these salads are not fresh, have mystery meat and wilted greens lacking any type or real nutritional value. For a great local restaurant alternative, check out the Hudson Café on 1st Ave in Atlantic Highlands. They have healthy omelets and breakfast options as well as a great salad menu for lunch. Stay tuned for an Eastpointe Health & Fitness Fit Menu coming soon!