Do You Love to Eat Out? Or, do you find your daily schedule so hectic that you are many times forced to grab a quick meal at a fast food restaurant?

If you are like most Americans, you eat out at least four times a week on average according to the National Restaurant Association. 

How do you eat when away from home will have a significant impact on your overall daily food intake.  There's also a tendency to splurge when dining away from home.  Thinking that you can never eat out at your favorite restaurant again can be pretty discouraging.  Refraining from eating out is unrealistic and also sets you up for failure in the long run.  The trouble starts when dieters view their meal plans as a guide to deprivation instead of looking at them as a simple change in their food choices, like cutting down on portion sizes.  Your Fitness Personal Trainer will be your guide as you plan on how to eat smart while dinging out:

• On the side - ask for how fat and/or low calorie dressing on the side. Dip your fork lightly in your dressing before you take a fork full of salad.  Limit your portion size by sharing with a friend or exerting a little willpower by wrapping up half
• Portion Distortion - Many American restaurants serve up helping portions of calorie rich foods.  Limit your portion size by sharing with a friend or exerting a little willpower by wrapping up half.
• Meal Vocabulary - When ordering food off the menu, be sure to order menu items that have the words "steamed", "poached", "grilled" or "baked".  Stay away from "fried", "sauteed", and "breaded".
• Break the mold - If you are a restaurant junky, it may be hard to commit to a healthy eating plan.  You may want to consider breaking your pattern of dining out.  Cooking at home will allow control over food preparation and ultimately caloric intake.
• Plan ahead - Plan your order ahead of time to avoid a diet detour disaster.  The better prepared dieter always has the edge for success
• Healthy Choices - Choose restaurants that you know will offer healthy options
• Tea Time - Skip the dessert and load up on some herbal tea. Many herbal tea can please your sweet tooth without the caffeine.
• Slow Down - Allow your brain to catch up with your stomach.  You need to be conscious of when it's time to stop eating and ask your waiter for a doggy bag.
• Choose Restaurants with care - Have the restaurant fax you the menu or go online for its website if existing ahead of time so you know what items are on the menu beforehand and can make smarter choices.