5 Tips for Healthy Dining Out

Have you been eating out a lot lately? We all go through phases where we’re not cooking at home as much, whether by circumstance or by choice (we know sometimes it’s just simpler to order out when you’re busy!).

If you haven’t been eating at home recently you may not be feeling your best. Even when you’re avoiding fast food, eating out can leave you feeling less-than-stellar. We’ve all had run-ins with the fatigue, low mood, and even constipation that can come from ordering in or eating out too frequently.

But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with these tips for healthy dining out. They’re all easy to follow and won’t complicate your dining experience.

A great starting point is to set yourself up to win by steering clear of fast food joints whenever possible. Fast food is full of unhealthy oil, pesticides, and meat that’s treated with hormones and antibiotics. Instead, look for restaurants with plenty of veggie-forward options, high quality oils and ideally with organic ingredients listed on the menu.

Secondly, arm yourself with a good strategy using the 5 tips below and you’ll easily get healthy options when you’re eating out anytime, anywhere, any place.

We hope these tips help you stay vibrant and give you easy-to-use ideas to take with you the next time you head out on the town.

What are your dining out strategies and tips? We’d love to hear from you in the comment below!

With lots of love and healthy meals,

The Conscious Cleanse Team

5 Tips for Healthy Dining Out

1. Find some healthy options nearby. Try googling “healthy restaurants” or even “gluten-free restaurants” to find good options and read some of the reviews. See if they have organic ingredients listed on the menu and healthy oils like olive, coconut or avocado oil. Choose which options appeal to you and make a plan for what you want to eat before you head out. Make sure to check out side dish options (e.g. steamed broccoli, avocado, grilled asparagus) that can add extra nutrients but are simple to combine with your main.
2. Treat the menu like an á la carte list of ingredients: Look over all the meal descriptions, mentally circling the items you know will make you feel great. And don’t skip the sides — many restaurants have several veggie sides that are often overlooked. Tell the server that you have allergies or special dietary requests. Pull a Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally and say “I’d like the Caesar Salad please without the croutons, cheese or dressing. Top it with sprouts and a double order of the steamed broccoli. For the dressing I’d like half a lemon and olive oil on the side. Thank you.” If Meg can do it, so can you.
3. Bring food with you: Always have a small grab-bag of foods you love to help round out any meal. For example, carry a small baggie of raw walnuts or half an avocado. Either of these are great add-ons to any salad. Keep a few herbal tea bags, liquid stevia, and a few bites of something sweet (if not on the cleanse) like our Chocolate Bliss Truffles. Don’t be afraid to eat what keeps you feeling vibrant and energized!
4. Eat before you leave. There’s no feeling like being really hungry when the bread bowl arrives. Too often we end up too stuffed to even enjoy our meal, leaving us feeling unsatisfied and uncomfortable. To avoid this, be sure to have a healthy snack before you leave the house. Drink a green smoothie, grab a handful of nuts, nosh on some carrots or enjoy a piece of fruit before you hit the town.
5. Skip the alcohol: If you wake up feeling horrible and swollen the day after drinking, you might want to limit how many meals out include a glass of wine or a cocktail. Try ordering an iced cold sparkling water with a lime – and here’s the important part – in a wine glass. You’ll feel like you’re having an adult beverage without the icky morning after.

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