Nutri-Jyoti News article archive
June 2008 - 7 Secrets to Eating Out Healthily
The summer has many national holidays when we have free time and often take the opportunity to eat out. The weather is good - well most of the time - and we want to enjoy it. But sometimes we don't have time to pack a picnic or the special food we like to eat. Let me share with you 7 personal secrets to help you eat out healthily this summer when you don't feel you can get exactly what you want.
Secret 1 - Savour (and sip)
Whatever you choose, savour it! Chew each bite at least 20 times before swallowing to bring a certain awareness to each mouthful of food. Appreciate the texture and the taste of each mouthful. The same if you enjoy a glass of wine - sip and savour AND drink a glass of water for every glass of wine you drink so you're still smiling in the morning! It is said that your brain takes about 20 minutes to communicate to your stomach that it's full so if you eat too quickly you'll literally fill up before you know it!
Secret 2 - Sharing is sociable
Order several small different dishes and share them with your friends. Then take small helpings of each dish. You can always go back for more but it gives your brain and stomach a chance to communicate.
Secret 3 - Season well
Go for the lightest cooked option you can find on the menu - eg. soup, vegetable dishes, season it well with black pepper, and ask the waiter for lemon juice and some herbs.
Secret 4 - Starter over sweet
Have a starter instead of a dessert. This might seem a hard one for most of us who have a sweet tooth but I've found that if you have a starter and a main course by the time it gets to the dessert it'll really only be your mind that wants the dessert. If you truly cannot resist, then it should be enough to just order one to share with your friends.
Secret 5 - To drink or not to drink
Ideally you would have drunk enough water before eating so won't thirsty. If you're still thirsty ask for a herbal tea or a glass of hot water optionally with lemon to sip with your meal rather than a glass of cold water. It is better to drink water that is warm or room-temperature so that the body does not have to use as much energy to bring it up to body temperature. If you do drink cold water (no ice please!) remember that still is better than sparkling. However, recognise that drinking an excessive amount with your meal actually encourages you to eat more because you will be reducing your digestive capacity.
Secret 6 - Dare to ask
If you're more of an introvert like me you probably hesitate before asking for what you want but if you don't ask, how can you even hope to get what you want. Sometimes the cook is willing to make a special dish if you have particular dietary needs. Or there may be a whole page of dishes that are not advertised on the displayed menu that suit you perfectly. As a vegetarian who only eats dairy products (occasionally), I know this situation well.
Secret 7 - Be thankful
It's important to be thankful for what we have to eat to help the digestion process. It's been proven scientifically that the effect of a positive thought is much stronger than a negative one. Even if we cannot get what we want exactly we can influence how we digest what's on our plate and how the cells in our body absorb it. How about choosing to accept and appreciate what's offered to us and all that is good in it.
Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved Janet Gomez
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