With being gluten- and dairy-free, and watching my sugar intake, eating out can be a real challenge, and yet, I’ve also found, not impossible.
One of the most daunting facets about dieting in the traditional sense, or having a modified diet due to allergens, is the feeling of wanting to fit in. People hate the way it feels to be an outcast, no matter what the reason, good or bad. It practically borders on feeling like a circus freak!
Regardless, there are certain aspects to food that have to be met in order for someone to be able to easily maintain a restricted dietary lifestyle, which include taste, variety, convenience, and of course, knowledge.
So, I comprised a list of my top tips to eating out that will help you stay on track with dieting – no matter how you look at it – that will help you feel that you're getting all your needs met and you're making the best choices that work for you.
1. Look the menu up online beforehand. You’ll be hard pressed to find a restaurant nowadays that doesn’t list their menu options on their website, which makes it a breeze to read up on what they offer before you even leave the house. Some even list ingredients! It’d be wise to check it out in advance so that there are no surprises when you get there, plus it will help focus your mind on what to have without being so easily compromised by the influence of others.
2. Don’t eat out if you’re too sensitive. As much as going gluten-free or any other free means to you, in the end, it’s not anyone else’s responsibility to make sure your food isn’t effected by cross contamination. You can make special requests, and it’s certainly helpful that many restaurants now offer gluten-free options, but in reality, there’s no guarantee in which case, it’s just better to stay home and cook for yourself and provide your own peace of mind if it’s that important to you.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask the chef to substitute or make changes (unless the menu specifically says so). Some restaurants’ menus state no substitutions allowed, in which case it’s take it or leave. Otherwise, every place else is happy to accommodate and will if it’s reasonably possible. You can even [bctt tweet=”order off the menu and make something up instead of just getting what they offer,”] which I’ve done myself many times. Either way, try to think outside the box if necessary so that you’re left with a meal you’re satisfied with and works with your specific diet.
4. Eat within normal mealtimes, a.k.a. approximately the same time you’d eat at home. If you arrive close to closing, you’re likely to get a meal made in haste, thrown together and not very fresh. Everyone just wants to leave and go home if you’re within an hour or so of closing and really aren’t interested in sticking around to make your prime rib or top sirloin, so it’s better to skip eating out at that point and call it a night if you want a top quality meal. Instead, try to show up around the same time you normally eat at home, which for most people is 4-7pm for dinner for example, because that's likely when the kitchen is in full swing too and your meal will be prepared just how you like it.
5. BONUS TIP! Note how well manicured the tables and chairs are. Are they grimy, greasy, or unkempt? The dining room is always a reflection of the kitchen’s cleanliness. If the managers care how the dining room is kept, they’ll care about how the kitchen is kept too and you can guarantee if they’re sloppy in front, they’re sloppy in back which will impact how well they follow instructions with your food.
Eating out is a part of life, especially when traveling, so it’s important to feel confident about what you're eating. Keep my tips handy and you’ll never feel confused or blindsided when it comes to dining out with friends, family, coworkers, or solo!
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Angela Minelli is
an author, speaker and founder of Angela Minelli International, a heart-based global business serving purpose-driven everyday women and entrepreneurs whose self-image and weight issues are inhibiting their confidence and blocking them from pursuing their life’s passion.
Angela's joy is in taking a stand for women who are living less than ideal lives, stopped by fear and doubt, which prevents them from stepping into their innate power and delivering their God-given genius to the world. Her coaching programs and products are designed for women with busy lifestyles yet allow for powerful transformation to take place within a small segment of time.
As a natural health practitioner and digestive health specialist, Angela specializes in helping people overcome weight and energy issues through holistic, non-invasive protocols that address the root cause of their conditions, including adrenal fatigue, candida, thyroid disorders, and more.
Explore the ideals that are the cornerstone of her work at angelaminelli.com.