Eating out is always a fun experience. However, with so many tasty menu options, there is no guarantee that the restaurant you are dining at offers a dish that aligns with how you define healthy eating.
Regardless of what a menu presents, there are a few questions and requests that you can make while you are eating out to ensure that you are not compromising your health when dining out at a restaurant.
Be sure to ask your server if the following requests/adaptations are an option for your meal!
WHAT IS THIS PROTEIN COOKED IN?
Most times, a menu will not specify what their proteins are cooked in. Butter, ghee, olive oil, and not so healthy oils like corn, canola, and soybean oil are all possibilities. Based on your diet and what you prefer to cook your protein in at home, request that your meal is cooked in pure butter or a healthy oil to reduce how fatty and processed your main dish is.
HOW ARE THESE VEGETABLES PREPARED?
Similar to protein, there are countless ways that your vegetables can be prepared at a restaurant. Believe it or not, it is quite common for restaurants to cook their greens and other vegetables in lard, heavy butter, and even grease from bacon and other meats. Specify that you would like your vegetables steamed, baked, or sautéed in pure butter or in a healthy oil, depending on your preferred method.
DO YOU HAVE A VINEGAR-BASED DRESSING AVAILABLE?
Salads are only as healthy as the dressing they are served with. While those on a ketogenic diet will lean towards the creamier dressings, others often prefer to coat their greens in a vinegar-based dressing for a healthier alternative. If there is not a clean dressing available on the menu, ask for oil and vinegar to top your salad off!
CAN I HAVE THIS BURGER/SANDWICH PREPARED WITHOUT A BUN OR WRAPPED IN LETTUCE?
Burgers and sandwiches are staples to nearly every restaurant menu. If one of these delectable items is calling your name, but you prefer to avoid the extra carbs from bread, ask to modify the dish. Ordering without a bun is always a solid option, in addition to requesting that the burger or sandwich be wrapped in lettuce or another sturdy green.