5 Top Tips to Eating Healthy When Dining Out (or Ordering In)

For those who are working towards certain fitness goals whether that be fat loss, muscle gain or maintenance, it helps to be aware of how regular dining out (coupled with poor food choices) can negatively impact your progress. Try these tips from OMNI Strength & Performance to eating healthy when dining out (or ordering in if you prefer to stay home)!

1. Order safe options by looking out for certain keywords

As you browse through the mouth-watering menu, there are a few keywords that you can look out for that’ll typically be your safest bet when eating out or ordering in: steamed, baked, grilled and soup.

As a result of the method used for cooking, steamed foods contain very little unhealthy fats and calories. This is compared to, for example, fried foods that are doused in oil and carry a significant amount of unnecessary calories and saturated fats.

If you’re conscious of fat intake, picking grilled foods could also be another great alternative. According to Mayo Clinic, the method of grilling foods allows fats to drip away which then strips away those calories from it.

Finally, soups are an option that is generally low in calories, delicious and incredibly filling! There are plenty of options for soups that are high in protein and fiber or low in carbohydrates if that fits your goal. Plus you get the added benefits from the retained nutrients that are often stripped away in foods that forego other common methods of cooking such as frying or boiling.

2. Be conscious of what makes food less of a safe option

While there are certain words that act as a green light for safe options, there are also certain keywords you can look out for to avoid or eat in moderation. These include foods that are fried, creamy, and cheesy, just to point out a few. As deliciously tempting as these may sound on paper, they’re the types of food that tend to load up on the unhealthy fats and calories that may get in the way of helping you reach your fitness goals.

3. Make special food requests

Most restaurants will be more than willing to accommodate your special requests – so don’t be shy to ask for them! Request to get your sauce/dressing on the side, swap your side of fries for a salad, or ask for less rice and more veggies.

If you’re ordering in, delivery platforms such as Deliveroo and FoodPanda also allow you to make requests by adding a note for cooking instructions or any other special instructions you might have upon placing your order.

4. Opt for cuisines with healthier food options

If and when it’s your turn to make the ever so difficult decision of what and where to eat, opt cuisines that have healthier options.

There are so many wonderfully delicious cuisines with more healthy options than others. However, if you find yourself in doubt, the team at OMNI Strength & Performance suggests Japanese! The cuisine has plenty of safe food options including sushi, sashimi, grilled foods, rice bowls, udon/soba soups, and more.

5. If you’re up for it, a salad is the safest choice

All the tips above this one show that there are plenty of healthier options when eating out that’ll still allow you to continue to reach your physique goals. While you don’t have to eat a salad every time you dine out or order in, they are definitely the safest option. Salads are a good choice especially for the days that you’re not too peckish, or when other options don’t particularly tickle your fancy.

If you have the option to pick what goes into your salad, choose lots of veggies, a lean protein, and ask if you can separate the dressing so you can control the amount.