Dr Oz: Hungry Girl Guide To Dining Out
If you’re trying to make better decisions when it comes to your diet, that doesn’t have to mean avoiding restaurant meals altogether. Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien was on The Dr Oz Show to share her tips for eating healthy while dining out. Dr Oz admitted that he had long been telling people to eat at home so that they can control what they’re eating. Lisa said we’re human and the reality is that people want to be able to go out and have fun, without doing “too poorly in the calorie department.” Dr Oz invited three busy moms to sit down and taste-test Lisa’s healthy swaps to see if their mom-approved.
Dr Oz: Healthier Chinese Food
Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien was excited to share that dining out doesn’t have to mean wrecking your diet. She had easy, healthy swaps you could do when dining out. (infomatique / flickr)
Lisa started with Chinese food and explained that it’s actually a good idea to start the meal off with an appetizer. By ordering an appetizer, you won’t feel as deprived, and Lisa said you’ll end up taking in fewer calories overall throughout the meal. Sylvia shared that she and her kids love fried dumplings and shrimp lo mein. Lisa suggested going with steamed dumplings instead, saying you’ll hardly notice a difference.
She also suggested getting steamed shrimp and vegetables with brown rice and a little brown sauce on the side. Sylvia said she could definitely make the swap. For Sylvia’s usual plate, she would consume 1,030 calories, but Hungry Girl’s Chinese plate has only 658 calories, and saves you more than half the fat.
Dr Oz: Eating Healthy Italian Food
As for Italian, Lisa suggested looking at the menu before you go out to eat, so you can make you smart decisions before time. Malika shared that her favorite Italian dish is chicken Parmesan with spaghetti. Lisa suggested instead ordering grilled chicken with marinara and a little Parmesan cheese, and a side of whole wheat pasta. She said it’s the perfect swap.
Malika’s Italian plate was normally 1,980 calories, but Hungry Girl’s was just 408 calories!
Dr Oz: Healthier Dining At Mexican Restaurants
Finally, when it comes to eating at a Mexican restaurant, Lisa said the key is to not give in to order peer pressure. Lisa said once you’ve looked at the menu online and made your decision, stick with it. Melissa shared that she usually gets tacos, refried beans, and rice. Lisa shared that instead, you can order a burrito bowl, and avoid the huge tortillas, which can have 300 calories by itself.
Melissa’s innocent looking meal contained 1,471 calories and Lisa’s had just 393 calories!
Do you have any more great tips to share for making healthy choices when you dine out? I’ve also heard it can be good to drink a cup of water before your meal arrives to help you feel more full and slow down. One friend used to take a sip of water and put her fork down in between each bite to help her slow down. Hey, whatever works right?
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