12 Diet Questions Answered

Restaurant Tricks

Thanks to supersize portions and the liberal use of tasty fats like butter and cream, restaurant meals can wreak havoc on a diet. But you can rein in the calories by developing some ironclad policies, says Cathy Nonas, RD, director of diabetes and obesity programs at North General Hospital in New York City. For instance, you might decide that you'll eat just half of your entree when you go to American and French restaurants, and a salad and half order of pasta when you're out for Italian. In Chinese restaurants, your policy might be to share one steamed entree and one other dish with a friend. Other helpful tips: eat two appetizers (one should be low-calorie) instead of an entree, allow yourself a glass of wine if you pass on the bread basket, and always order sauces and dressings on the side. To increase the chances that you'll adhere to these guidelines, make sure you take into account what's most important to you. If you really love dessert, for example, your dining-out policy should reflect that.