Healthy Eating Tips for Dining Out

Staying on a diet or just eating healthy can be really hard to do in social situations where you are asked to dine out somewhere. There is so much temptation around to cheat and it can be difficult to know what is ok and not ok to eat. Our health clinics at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few healthy tips for dining out. If you ate something that just didn’t quite sit right and you start to feel ill, call Central Ozarks Medical Center to make an appointment. We have health clinics throughout Central Missouri and our locations and phone numbers can be found on our website at www.CentralOzarks.org.

Healthy Eating Tips for Dining Out

Plan ahead.

Take a look at the menu before you leave for the restaurant. Most of the time you can find the menu online. Browse the menu for a healthy option, whether that be a salad or burger but with no bun. Planning out your meal this way can help you to avoid “impulse ordering” something unhealthy out of feeling anxious to just make a quick decision.

Ask to substitute.

Ask your server about substituting a salad for your fries or mixed vegetables for your fried potatoes. Cut down on calories where you can.

Eat a healthy snack before you leave.

Eating something healthy before you leave can help you to feel more full before you leave so you are less likely to order a bunch of food that can be bad for you.

Try ordering a couple of appetizers instead of a meal.

Sometimes you can find healthy appetizers on the menu, such as grilled shrimp or grilled chicken wings. If you are trying to eat low carb, ordering two appetizers like these can be a great option rather than ordering a full meal.

Drink lots of water.

Make sure to drink water before your meal and throughout your meal. Fill yourself up on water instead of french fries.

Eat Healthy with Central Ozarks Medical Center

We know how hard it can be to eat healthy sometimes, but a healthy diet and regular exercise can be key to feeling good and losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Central Ozarks Medical Center provides a broad set of services based on the needs of the communities we serve, including but not limited to:

Primary Care
Obstetrics
Pediatrics
Behavioral Health
Women’s Health
Senior Health
Dental Services

We pride ourselves on offering quality healthcare that works best with your financial situation. If you are uninsured and would like to look at insurance options we have Assisters to help you navigate the process. For more information, please visit our website at www.CentralOzarks.org or give us call at the health clinic nearest to you. You will find our phone numbers for each location listed below.

Central Ozarks Medical Center

Keeping Lack of Insurance From Being a Roadblock to Quality Healthcare