Eat out and still be healthy

Many people see eating out as a treat and an opportunity to indulge, but if you are following a healthy eating plan, then the last thing you will feel like doing is eating out unhealthily. Fortunately, maintaining a healthy diet while dining out does not have to be difficult, and you can even dine at a majority of food chains and choose menu items that are good for you.

Restaurant companies have become increasingly conscious of the importance of catering for customers’ dietary requirements, so healthy eating options are increasingly visible on menus across the country. Consumer Capital Partners is a major investor in restaurant chains, and the companies it has invested in champion healthy eating. For instance, Tom’s Urban promises both vegetarian and gluten free options on its menu. Live Basil Pizza offers a gluten free crust on its pizza and allows diners to choose their own toppings from a range that includes all-natural chicken and organic spinach. Asking for food to be made the way you like is a key concept of healthy eating when dining out.

Consumer Capital Partners and Quiznos founder Rick Schaden has a keen interest in healthy living and is currently heading up the USA Pro Challenge concept, a multi-day professional race staged annually.

Some other great tips for eating out healthily include:Ask how food is prepared: Just because the menu says that the dish you are ordering is free of cholesterol, for instance, it does not mean it is free of fat. The restaurant could be using oil high in calories.Low-carb does not mean low-calories: Low-carb has become a trend at many restaurants, but low in carbohydrates does not necessarily equate to low in calories, so you should ask your server if this is the case.Skip the bread: If you want to have something to eat as you wait on your order, request breadsticks or, better still, some raw vegetables.Drink water: By drinking water during a meal, you will send a message to your brain that you are full, even if you have not finished your meal.

If you are trying to cut back on food, you may begin losing out on important nutrients. Supplements and herbal health products can be a great way of achieving the necessary balance in your diet.

The important thing to remember when dining out is to enjoy the occasion. The availability of healthy-living options on restaurant menus means that even those on a strict diet can have a nice time.