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Eating Well…Eating Out
I hear it time and time again…”I can’t eat well because I eat out all of the time.”
HA!
That is simply another excuse people use to allow themselves to continue to eat food they know is bad for them!
You can in fact eat very healthily even while eating out.
While it isn’t ideal, it is most definitely doable! There are always healthy options…they just aren’t always the options you WANT to eat. But if you make an effort and really look at the menu instead of just ordering the first thing that looks good because you are hungry, you may find that there are even more healthy options out there than you realized!
Restaurants are starting to listen to make menu options for the health conscious individuals.
I was super excited when Ryan showed me Panera’s new healthy menu options!
I don’t ever eat Panera anymore. I had it recently when I made a car trip to Indiana with my Mom to visit my sister and we got Panera bagels and mochas for old-time sake. But before then I literally hadn’t visited Panera in years.
For one, I didn’t feel their food was as good as it used to be and two, it had become too sodium laden and un-primal eater friendly.
But now there are actually Primal and healthy options there! And while they aren’t actually on the menu, they are available.
Why Panera chose to make a “hidden menu” for these healthy options is beyond me. Hey…at least they are providing some great breakfast and lunch options though!
Anyway, check it out! A little research can turn up some really great options. Eating out doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your healthy lifestyle (unless of course it is a cheat day!).
What are your favorite and healthiest restaurant meals?
P.S. While I do believe you can eat well at restaurants, I don’t think they really substitute for home cooked meals. But it is good to know that if you are in need of a meal that there are places out there you can easily go to!
Eating Well Out
One of the most common excuses I hear as to why people can’t stick to a diet is because they are traveling to much or just don’t have the time to cook.
Please skip the croutons and the sundaes…unless you’re planning to cheat!
While I think it is always possible to be able to prepare quick and easy meals that you can take with you, you can also ALWAYS find a fairly decent Primal option on any restaurant menu.
Ryan and I packed up all of our kitchen stuff and had to eat out for about a week while we were moving.
We didn’t have to sacrifice our diet though just because we ate out. For example, when a friend invited us to sushi, we went and got sashimi.
PURE PROTEIN!
Honestly, eating out is just AN EXCUSE to not eat well.
For one, there is almost always some MEAT option on the menu. There is usually some chicken option even if you have to ask for the sauce on the side. You can even get a burger and take off the bun. Yea so the meat won’t be grass-fed, but still….it isn’t fried or carb-laden! AND you don’t have to get the carb-laden side! You can get a side of veggies or skip the sides all together if there aren’t any great options.
Secondly, there is almost always a SALAD option on the menu. Most places have some sort of vinaigrette or will supply you with vinegar and oil. And you don’t need to eat the croutons even if they are included!
There is always a way to get something healthy when you are eating out. Sometimes you do have to ask for a slight special request, which can feel awkward, but is worth it if you are eating out often!
No, most meals we get at restaurants won’t be perfect, but they also don’t have to ruin your health or set back your weight loss like totally cheating would.
PLUS, if you can choose a place, you CAN select places that have HEALTHIER options. There are places out there that offer PERFECTLY PRIMAL dishes.
When friends ask me to eat out, if it isn’t a cheat day, I choose a place that has delicious options that will satisfy me and allow me to eat healthily.
If I don’t choose the place, I will try to at least look at the menu before I go so I know my options and won’t be tempted by seeing all of the bad foods there when I’m super hungry.
I mean is it really that much effort to plan ahead?
Isn’t it worth it?
Saying you can’t eat well when you eat out is just an excuse – it is just a way for you to LET YOURSELF GIVE IN.
If you WANT to eat well, you will find a way. Go to a restaurant with a game plan and I guarantee you will always be able to find something that allows you to stick to your diet and feel satisfied!
Man Bicep 