Eating Clean While Eating Out

Eating Clean While Eating Out

Eating clean doesn't mean that you have to live in seclusion and say no to every social invite. In fact, being able to continue socializing and enjoying life is the very thing that will help you stick to the program long term, and those long-term changes are what we are here to help you figure out. Helping you eat clean for a week, a month, or even a year is great, but it's not a win if you eventually fall off. We want to see you make changes that you hold onto for the rest of your life.

Before you jump to conclusions, yes, it is possible to go out and socialize and still make your health a priority. For those of you who would rather not socialize, there are always those events, weddings, business dinners, etc., that you just can't get out of. So here is a guide to help you stick to the program while eating out.

The first thing you need to know is that you will need to rely on your willpower to help you get through the social event without slipping up. (The more you practice, the easier these steps will become, and less willpower they will take.) Remember, you only have so much willpower each day, so if you know you have a dinner to go to, set yourself up through the rest of the day to make as few challenging decisions as possible. This way, when it comes time to pass on the appetizers and drinks that are going around, you are fully charged and ready to say "No."

Saying no is never easy, but the truth is that no one actually cares if you order a salad and ask them to hold the croutons. They may give you a hard time for a minute, but it will quickly be forgotten. Here is how you will get yourself into trouble: lying. Yes, lying is bad. Telling them you aren't hungry or you have some made-up food allergy will have you feeling guilty. Whereas if you just tell them the truth, that you are watching what you eat to lose weight, feel better, and/or look better, then the salad with no croutons makes sense, and it may help those you are with make some better choices.

No, you don't always have to order a salad when eating out. In fact, I'd encourage you to think outside of the menu and order as close to what you'd be eating at home. The restaurant has what you need in the kitchen, and what most people forget when they walk into a restaurant is that restaurants are part of the service industry. That means they are there to serve you. Most restaurants will bring you exactly what you ask for. Every restaurant has some type of meat and veggies; just find some courage and politely ask for what you want. Remember that your health matters and remind yourself that you are at the restaurant for the social aspect, not the food.

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