As many people know, dieting can be a great step towards making the transition into a healthier lifestyle that results in greater wellness and permanent weight loss. And because dieting can be a very challenging and mentally taxing endeavor, many dieters find it necessary to participate in social events that allow them to relax and continue enjoying life as they make positive changes in their eating habits. Although there are times when dieting alone would not help you, in such cases, there is Laser liposuction that you can go through to get rid of your fat quickly. However, following a diet plan and losing your weight like that is always going to be the best way.
Oftentimes, participating in social events with friends and families incorporates eating out or being in settings where large amounts of food are available. This can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the type of food offered as well as how much mental power you’ve developed to help you resist unhealthy eating options. Irrespective of whether you have will power or not, however, there are certain strategies you can implement to ensure that your diet isn’t negatively impacted when you go out to eat with friends and family. Here are three strategies:
- Eat Before You Participate In Social Events.
This strategy can be effective in two ways. First, it increases the likelihood that you will be full and less likely to consume large amounts of unhealthy food. Second, you can honestly inform a friend or family member that you’re not eating anything at all because you already ate. Yesterday, I volunteered at Helping Hands Community Based Services and brought several packages of trail mix with me to consume while I was there. This proved to be advantageous because after I arrived, I learned that the staff would be having cake in honor of a counselor who was leaving the organization. Although the cake was not opened before I left, the trail mix kept me full and could’ve helped me resist the sugary snack if someone had offered me a slice.
- Forego The Appetizers.
Appetizers like bread or chips and salsa can pack on the pounds, especially if you’re eating them indiscriminately. Several months ago, I went out to eat with my father and found myself eating a ton of pizza-like appetizers in addition to a huge meal. Although I worked this meal off with exercise and don’t really regret the splurge because it’s a rarity, I recognize that behaviors like this can be very counterproductive for individuals who are on a diet. In discussing how to eat out successfully, Registered Dietitian Tina Ruggiero advises us to stay away from appetizers because they can lead to overeating. Also, Ruggiero says that ordering a few small healthy appetizers can be a great alternative to the main dish. In selecting your appetizers, Ruggerio advises you to choose items like broth-based soups, fresh vegetable dishes, and seared tuna. She also advises you to avoid anything described with terms like “crispy,” “creamy,” or “rich.”
- Avoid Buffets.
Like many Americans, I grew up enjoying buffets at restaurants like Ryan’s. Buffets are alluring because they create the concept of plentitude while offering you innumerable food options to choose from. In discussing how to eat out when you’re on a diet, About.com writer Jennifer R. Scott says studies show that when we’re given more options, we tend to eat more. Thus while individuals who have not made a commitment to a diet may enjoy consuming plates and plates of food from buffets, dieters will likely feel guilty and experience a sense of failure if they do so. This is why simply avoiding buffets is a great idea for dieters. If you’re going out with friends and families and they suggest that you eat at a buffet, politely ask if you can eat somewhere else.
Eating out while you’re on a diet can be a daunting endeavor. Yet by implementing the simple tips I’ve listed above, I believe you can have greater success and preclude yourself from falling off the wagon as you lose weight and eat better. Good luck!