Healthy Eating Out Option

Everyone loves to eat out.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find healthy options on the menu.  Whenever I eat out, it is reminiscent of the When Harry Met Sally scene where she is interrogating the waiter as she is ordering.  Although you don’t have to go quite that far, you are a paying customer and should be able to get what you want.  As soon as I sit down, I start scanning the menu for healthy items.  If certain things appear on the menu somewhere, you should be able to substitute them into your order.  For instance, I always try to add avocado to whatever I am ordering.  Also, if they have vegetables on the menu- you can ask if any of them are uncooked and add them raw to your order and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.  It is fairly easy to get raw broccoli, carrots, squash, zucchini, etc.

Here is an example of how you can make the best out of eating out.  I has a business lunch this week at Macaroni Grill.  As I scanned the menu, I noticed that they had an appetizer of roasted vegetables.  Then, in looking at the salads, I spotted a Warm Spinach Salad that came with prosciutto and a goat cheese medallion served with olive oil and lemon.  I simply substituted the roasted vegetables for the prosciutto and the salad was delicious!  Although the ingredients were not all organic, it was a great eating out option.  The staff was happy to accomodate me, especially since I was raving about how good it was.  (Chefs love it when the wait staff come back with compliments!)

Though sometimes it is not easy, don’t just take the menu at a restaurant at face value.  Be creative!