1. Half It

We all know that the serving sizes at most restaurants are huge. Some entrees are large enough to feed a family of 4. Most can easily be split between two people. If you don’t have a friend to share your meal with, then immediately ask your waiter for a to-go box to set aside half your meal before eating.Keep reading for more tips to stick to your diet.

2. Veggies

Most entrees come with a large baked potato or fries. Don’t be afraid to ask for veggies or salad instead. Take the veggies a step further and ask that they not put butter on them. All you have to do is ask, they won’t have a problem preparing your food to your request. They are used to making changes to accommodate people’s dietary needs.

3. Salad

Studies show that people who start their meals off with soup and salad eat less calories during dinner. That is reason enough to order a salad. You can also opt for a salad as your main course. Save yourself on calories by requesting your dressing on the side. Instead of pouring the dressing over your salad dip our fork in with each bite.

4. Soup

Speaking of soup, be careful what type of soup you order. Broth based soups are always healthier than creamy soups. Cream soups are rich and full of fatty calories. Ask the waiter about the soups. Some soups that you expect to be broth based may actually be creamy.

5. Drinks

What do you like to drink with your meals? If you are like most people you probably order a soda and then get a couple of refills during your meal. That drink is adding to your caloric intake, probably more than you realize. Opt for water or unsweet tea to save on empty calories. They can be best enjoyed as food. Also consider drinking water to cut down on your bill. I’ve seen sodas cost as much as $2.29. For a family of four, your drinks can easily cost as much as an adult entree.

6. No Fried Foods

If you are eating healthy then you probably aren’t eating too many fried foods at home. Don’t let your healthy eating habits drop just because you are out for dinner. Avoid deep fried foods and make healthier choices. Grilled and baked meats are better than fried and have just as much good flavor.

7. No Buffets

I know some buffets have healthy foods to choose from. If you have amazing self-control than staying on plan at a buffet may not be an issue for you. But for me and many others, seeing all that food is too much temptation. It’s better to avoid such place than having to rely on self-control.

8. Plan Ahead

Sometimes your best bet is to plan what you are going to order before even set foot in the restaurant. Fortunately, the internet allows us to look at menus for many of our favorite places. We can scroll through ahead of time and decide what we want to order. It gives you the chance to see what health items are available. You can even call in to ask how certain foods are prepared so you really know the right thing to order.

These tips for sticking to your diet while out to dinner should help you stay on track. Just because you are trying to eat healthy, doesn’t mean you are confined to only eating at home. You may be surprised how health conscious restaurants have become. What are some of your best tricks for sticking to your diet when eating out?