When you’re eating out, it can be hard to know what to order. You want something that will taste good, but you also don’t want to feel sick afterwards.
Certain foods are more likely to cause problems when you eat them at a restaurant. These are usually foods that are highly processed, high in sodium, or difficult to digest.
There are foods that you should avoid when eating out. Here are a few examples:
Appetizers
Avoid fried appetizers or those that are covered in cheese or sauce. If you’re ordering an entrée, skip the appetizer altogether. You can also share an appetizer with a friend, so you don’t overdo it.
Salads
Salads can be a great option when trying to eat healthily. But beware, not all salads are created equal. Many restaurants load their salads with unhealthy ingredients like fried chicken, bacon, and cheese.
– Fried chicken or other fried toppings. These add a lot of calories and fat to your salad without adding much in the way of nutrition.
– Cheese. While cheese can add flavour to a salad, it’s also high in fat and calories. So if you’re watching your weight, skip the cheese or go for a lower-fat variety.
– Creamy dressings. Dressings made with mayonnaise or full-fat sour cream are high in calories and fat. Instead, opt for a vinaigrette or light dressing.
Soups
- Creamy soups: These are often high in fat and calories and can be challenging to digest.
- Clear soups: While clear soups may seem healthy, they often contain sodium and other unhealthy ingredients.
- Spicy soups: Spicy soups can cause heartburn and indigestion and may not be suitable for everyone.
- Thick or chunky soups can be difficult to eat and contain unhealthy ingredients.
Desserts
- Deep-Fried Treats
Deep-fried desserts are almost always bad, whether an order of fried ice cream or a basket of fried Oreos. Not only are they loaded with unhealthy fats but also high in calories. So if you’re looking for a sweet treat, opt for something baked or grilled.
- Creamy Desserts
While a scoop of ice cream or a cheesecake might sound tempting, these desserts are usually heavy on cream and sugar. If you want something lighter, try ordering a fruit plate or sorbet.
- Chocolate Cake
Chocolate cake is another dessert that’s often overloaded with sugar and fat. If you’re craving chocolate, look for menu items that feature dark chocolate, which is lower in sugar and higher in antioxidants.
Beverages
Fruit juices: While these may seem healthy, they are often loaded with sugar and calories. Stick to water or unsweetened tea instead.
Soda: Regular or diet soda is not a good choice when dining out. It’s empty calories that will only make you more thirsty.
Alcohol: A glass of wine or beer can be fine, but beware of cocktails or mixed drinks full of sugar. If you drink alcohol, try to pair it with some protein to help slow down the absorption of the alcohol.
By avoiding these unhealthy foods, you can enjoy a healthier meal that won’t wreck your diet. So next time you’re dining out, remember to avoid these unhealthy foods to keep your meal on track.