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Healthy Eating Tip: Text Your Food to DIET1

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:44 -0700

Deciding what you want to eat at a restaurant can be hard, especially when nutritional information is not easily accessible. In situations like this, just send a text message to DIET1 (34381). Include the restaurant and the menu item in your message, and the service will respond with a text containing the information you requested. I tried it out (several times) and it's really speedy, not to mention a little addictive. The database covers over 36,000 foods from 1,700 restaurants in North America, so try it out the next time you are dining out.

Until then, see how much you know without the help of your phone with this little calorie quiz on some of our favorite foods.

Healthy Eating Tip: Know Before You Go

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I love eating out as much as the next girl. The problem is that I always head into a restaurant, deli or fast food joint with the healthiest intentions and often get derailed by the unhealthy options calling my name when I am deciding what I want. One way I avoid the temptation is by going in knowing what I want ahead of time. Many restaurants offer nutritional information online of their menu items, and for those that don't calorieking.com is a good resource. This way you can do the legwork before you even step into the restaurant. And when you do, it's a lot easier to keep your eye on the ball (aka, your health).

Source

Portion Distortion: Less Is Not Always More

FitSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Food portions have gotten larger over the years. From "super size," to "all you can eat" most food portions are enough to feed at least two or three people. You may be thinking, "So what?" but with this growth in portion sizes comes an increase in waistlines, body weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart disease. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has done a little research to put portion sizes of 20 years ago and portion sizes of today in perspective. You'll be surprised to see the differences in sizes as well as in calories.

20 years ago	Today
140 Calories	350 Calories

There's more so

Diet Tip: Order Half Sizes

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I have recently been introduced to a new phenomenon while eating out that can help all of us keep to a healthy diet: half sizes.

I was eating out with my girlfriend and she orders the grilled glazed salmon but then adds, "Oh, and I'd like the half size please." Being that I did not see half sizes on the menu anywhere, I was shocked when the waiter answered, "Sure thing." I asked her about how she knew to order a half size and she told me that she always does — restaurants don't typically print half sizes on the menu, but unlike with kids meals many will serve them to you. Sneaky, eh?

I've been trying the half size theory out on my own and it's been hit or miss. I'd say about half of the restaurants I go to serve half sizes. Some just say they don't do half sizes, so you get the regular size meal and take half home, no big deal. But if they do, you're going to be saving yourself a lot of calories and not to mention cash while eating out. To me, it's worth asking.

Do you already order half sizes? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Diet Tip: Don't Underestimate Your Calories

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you spend a lot of time eating out, then be realistic about how many calories you think you're consuming. MSNBC reported on a recent study that found we all tend to underestimate how many calories we're eating when eating out — by 93 percent!

If you're eating something that seems like it is healthy, like a whole grain bagel with a thin layer of veggie cream cheese, then it probably is. If the bagel is loaded with veggie cream cheese, then probably not so healthy. But do be realistic and pay attention to what you put in your body. Just because it says whole grain and veggies does not always mean it's healthy or low in calories.

With all this in mind, tell me how many nights a week you cook at home.

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The Most Unhealthy Chinese Restaurant Foods: Part Two

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I already told you about a few unhealthy Chinese food menu items that are heavy hitters in terms of calories, fat, and sodium and you may have been thrilled that your favorite dish was not on there. Unfortunately, there's more.

In case you missed it, Newsweek talked to Jayne Hurley and Bonnie Liebman , authors of Chinese Restaurant Food: Wok Carefully. They shared their take on the most unhealthy Chinese food menu items. I wanted to make sure you don't miss the highlights:

Lemon chicken: A plate of lemon chicken contains 1,400 calories, two-thirds of a day's fat, and no vegetables. "It's like eating three McDonald's McChicken sandwiches and a 32-ounce Coke," Hurley says.
General Tso's chicken: General Tso's chicken features breaded, deep-fried chicken chunks that are then soaked in sauce; Hurley and Liebman found that one plate has about 1,300 calories and half a day's worth of saturated fat.
Barbecued spare ribs: These "appetizers" pack a punch — one plate of spare ribs carries two-thirds of a day's worth of saturated fat and 600 calories. That's the same amount of calories as in two pork chops, Hurley says. Dumplings, steamed or pan-fried, are much more health friendly, she says.

So eat Chinese food at your own risk, I know I will be — sometimes a girl's just gotta have her General Tso's.

Source

The Most Unhealthy Restaurant Chinese Foods: Part One

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

The other day, out of the blue, I was having a bit of a craving for Chinese food. This is unusual for me, but I was thinking of indulging myself. Then I read a nutritional dissection of the cuisine in Newsweek by Jayne Hurley and Bonnie Liebman, the authors of Chinese Restaurant Food: Wok Carefully. Their take on the most unhealthy Chinese food menu items certainly had me rethinking my decision to indulge – or at least stick to steamed meals with sauces on the side. Here are highlights:

Fried rice and lo mein: "Those dishes are basically three quarters of a day's calories, and you're just getting four or five cups of white rice or white noodles with oil and a sprinkling of vegetables," Hurley says. They're especially dangerous because they're often served alongside people's main orders, she says, and deliver "not much more than a smattering of vegetables or protein from the meat."
Chow fun: This dish is made of wider rice noodles and might taste more healthy than lo mein, but it's not. "The noodles are thicker, but they're going to do the same damage to your belly and blood pressure as the lo mein," Hurley says.
Crispy (orange) beef: Many meat-based menu items simply offer "hunks of fried meat," Hurley says. "What you're getting is three quarters of a pound of deep-fried meat, garnished with vegetables," she says. The same goes for sweet and sour pork.

So there you have it. This is not to say that you shouldn’t eat Chinese food, because sometimes you need some take-out and a fortune cookie. Just try steer clear of the high-calorie, high-sodium, high-fat items like those listed above.

Source

Diet Tip: Pay Attention to Adjectives on Menus

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

I don't know if it's just me, but I've realized the adjective for foods on menus can be an eye opener on whether or not the food is good or bad for you — without even knowing what the food is. Restaurants can't say, mixed with full-fat whipping cream or contains about a stick of butter so they use adjectives to pleasantly describe the food. Think about all the adjectives used on menus today: crunchy, drenched, cheesy, crispy, buttery, deep fried, creamy, indulgent, caramelized, chocolately, sinful, melty, etc. While my mouth is watering by just writing these tasty adjectives, they can really add additional calories, sugar, and saturated fat (and who knows what else).

Case in point. Picture your average dinner salad. Sounds innocent enough until you read that is a dinner salad drenched in the tangy house dressing piled with extra-crunchy croutons. So be really cautious of the adjectives used to describe your foods when eating out at a restaurant, they can provide a little more insight (and calories) than you may have previously thought.

Source

Uno Is America's Healthiest Chain?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Health magazine just unveiled a big feature on the healthiest restaurants in the US, which breaks down eateries by category, including sit-down chains, fast food, and independent restaurants. The magazine studied 43 chains (each with at least 75 locations) and ranked them based on the nutritional information provided.

It sounded intriguing, until I started perusing the list and found many of the choices downright puzzling: Uno Chicago Grill, known for its deep-dish pizza, is the first restaurant on the list of sit-down chains. Health lays out its reasons, but I'm still not sure I agree. To see the reasons and the rest of the list,

Diet Tip: Go Tapas

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

Just because you're eating out does not mean you need to conform to eating the oversized entrées. One thing that I often do when I am eating out is order from the starters/appetizers on the menu. Not only are the portions way smaller, but I am also able to get a taste of more foods than just one giant helping of the same meal. I've even gotten my husband on board by convincing him that it's just like eating tapas, which means we're able to split a few starters between us. Be careful though, small portions of some starters pack a lot of calories, so steer clear of menu items containing buzz words such as creamy, fried, and crispy.

Source

Diet Tip: Order Kid-Sized Portions

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:45:00 -0800

Is it me, or are portion sizes totally out of control? I try to plan on sharing my meal with someone else or taking half of it home, but if the food is in front of me, I'm more likely to nibble at it. So if you're really trying to watch your calories, here's a tip — order a kid-sized portion. I'm not talking about ordering the happy doodle mac 'n' cheese from the kids menu. Instead, talk to your waiter and see if you can get the entrée you want in a smaller portion. Many restaurants have large- and small-plate options, so see if you can order the small fettucine alfredo. Not only will you end up eating a healthier portion size, but you'll also save money on your meal.

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Diet Tip: Take Your Own Takeout Container

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Everyone loves a nice meal out. Food just seems to taste better when someone else prepares it.

While it is fine to indulge occasionally, the humongous portion sizes at many restaurants can lead to serious overeating. Here's an idea to try. Bring a reusable plastic container with you when you go out. Just stash it in your fashionably large purse. Bringing you own container is not only good for the planet, but you can easily shrink your meal to a reasonable size before you take your first bite. Wrap up half your meal and then dig in. Then you can feel free to enjoy what's left on your plate and know that you'll feel satisfied but not stuffed. What's another plus? You'll have lunch already made for the next day.

Source

Mindful Menus Wherever You Eat Out

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

Are you someone that has a hard time making healthy choices when dining out? Navigating menus can be tough on even the savviest of healthy eaters so why not get a little help?

Mindful Menus is looking to make eating out a little easier (and healthier) for you. Mindful Menus Wherever ($25) is a small, metal card holder that contains 10 different laminated nutritional cheat sheets for a variety of cuisines for when you are eating out. You can use the 10 credit card sized cards to help you decide what to order and what not to order when you are eating Italian, diner food, Sushi, Mexican, Thai, Salads, Chinese, Starbucks, even at happy hour and more. I love that it is small enough to fit into a purse, because the last thing I need is another thing to carry around. Pretty cool, eh? Buy it here.

When You Go Out For a Meal, What Type of Food Do You Tend to Eat?

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Between being pressed for time and socializing with out of town guests, I I have been eating out and ordering in more than usual lately. I am learning how to order tasty dishes that are still healthy – like ordering tostada salads at my favorite Mexican restaurant without the fried tortilla.I am interested in writing how to order healthy meals at different types of restaurants and want to know . . .Source

Shocking Secrets From Inside a Restaurant Kitchen

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

Me, I like to think I know how to navigate my way through a restaurant menu when it comes to making the healthiest choices. However, recently eDiets got the inside scoop on common restaurant practices that can sabotage your diet that you might not have considered.

Here are a few practices that shocked me the most:

Even steamed veggies are high in fat. “Fat is what sells food in restaurants,” says Deborah Fabricant, a Los Angeles-based restaurant consultant, former chef and author of Stacks: The Art of Vertical Food. “That’s why it ubiquitous, even in vegetable dishes.”
Egg-white omelets aren’t necessarily better for you. If you’ve been to a fancy buffet brunch with an omelet bar, you’ve seen the chef generously ladle a clear liquid into the pan before making your mushroom-and-spinach favorite. The liquid is fat, and the ladle holds at least 2 tablespoons. That’s 22 grams of fat (16 grams saturated) and 200 calories added to an otherwise healthful dish.

There are more shocking revelations so

Diet Tip: Skip The Predinner Cocktail

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0700

When eating out, oftentimes a predinner cocktail and dinner go hand-in-hand. However, if you are trying to lose weight or even just eating for health, the cocktail may not be the best idea.

Not only does a predinner cocktail add a few hundred calories to your dinner, before ever eating a single bite, it also inhibits your ability to make healthy and rational food choices. The burger and fries could look a lot more tasty after you've downed a vodka tonic, whereas if you just stick to water and then have that cocktail with dinner, making healthy decisions may come a lot easier. Maybe you'll still have that burger, but skip the fries and opt for a side salad. Or maybe once you check out the dessert menu, you'll decide to skip the booze altogether so you can indulge on chocolate cake.

Source

Trying to Lose Weight? Tips for Eating Out

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Going out to dinner with friends can be so much fun, that is unless you're watching your weight. Menus are full of such tempting foods, and most of the time you end up eating more than you would at home. Plus butter is often the secret ingredient. Here are some tips so you can stick to that healthy diet of yours, and enjoy eating out as well.

Have a healthy snack before you eat - If you get to the restaurant and you're starving, you'll be more likely to order a lot of food, or devour the entire bread basket.

Think of one entrée as two - When your dinner arrives, ask for a take-out container so you can pack half away for tomorrow's lunch. If you wait to get the container until after you eat, you'll be more likely to finish off the dish. (When food is in front of you, you're more likely to eat it.)
Order with a friend - Sharing an entrée with someone else will cut your calories in half, so you can savor the taste, but not overeat.
Order a big salad for your meal - Most restaurants offer humongous salads filled with fresh veggies, delicate field greens, nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and grilled chicken. A big salad will fill you up, and they're filled with healthy stuff. Oh, and be sure to ask for the dressing on the side. Request vinaigrettes rather than creamy dressings.
Order a smaller meal - Either order an appetizer or a small entrée. They're usually big enough to fill you up.

Want to see the other great tips? Then

Healthy Dining Finder Online

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 17:30:00 -0800

If you're like me you love to eat out but you sometimes have a hard time staying healthy while doing it.

That is why I was pleased when I stumbled across a great new site called Healthy Dining Finder. This site allows you to search by location for restaurants in your area. Then you can look at the list of restaurants and see what items have been selected as the healthiest item choices on the menu. It really helps to take the guesswork out of dining out.

It's great because Healthy Dining's staff of registered dietitians and health/nutrition professionals consult with each restaurant to find menu items that meet their high level of nutrition criteria which are based on recommendations of leading health organizations.

As of now the site still seems to be building its restaurant database but it is growing fast and you will still get decent results so visit HealthyDiningFinder.com to search restaurants near you.

Fast Food Mayhem

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:35:00 -0800

So I've broken down a lot of your favorite fast food spots, leaving you wondering if there is anything you can even eat out there. I understand the occasional fast food stop is unavoidable and you can do it in a healthy way, you just have to follow a few guidelines:

Don't super size. Most people eat way more than anyone ever should at a fast food restaurant because they can. Don't do it! Order small sizes.
Opt for places that offer "made to order" food. Like Subway for example, this way you can easily create a low calorie meal.

There's lots more, so

Pocket Calorie Counter

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:45:00 -0800

Do you ever wish that all foods, even restaurant foods, came with a nutritional label? I'm not sure that is going to happen any time soon, but until then you may want to invest in an electronic calculator.

CalorieSmart ($69) is an electronic (and portable) calorie calculator that provides you with the nutritional information of over 35,000 food items, including items from over 250 restaurants and 500 brands. CalorieSmart is much more than a digital calorie calculator -- It can be used to track your daily diet and exercise. You can also transfer your food and exercise diary to your Windows PC and create reports and charts. Use it in conjunction with our SugarStats' Calorie Evaluator to see how many calories you need to maintain your current lifestyle. Buy it here.

Fit's Tip: You should make sure you are adding up everything you're taking in -- So be sure to calculate in all sauces and condiments.

FITSUGAR SNEAK PEEK: Healthy Eating Out Tips

fitgirl — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:16:58 -0700

We just can't get enough of this blogging thing so we are branching out yet again. Get excited because FitSugar is coming soon! See below for a sneak peek:

Wednesday night was a sad night on The Biggest Loser. The Red Team kicked off Ken, the amazing shrinking man, who had lost a total of 68 pounds in six weeks. Talk about motivation.

Aside from kicking my favorite teammate off, another twist was that the Blue Team was forced to face an interesting challenge: eating out ONLY, for 72 hours. Eating out is yummy and fun, but if you are trying to eat right, it could be detrimental to your regime. So keep in mind a few Fit tips to eat out right:

If at a restaurant, ask the server to not bring the bread and butter. A good rule of thumb is you won't miss what you can't see.
Learn this term: Clean. It means no oil, no fat and no surprises. Use it when ordering poultry and fish.
If there is an option between two portion sizes, opt for the smaller one. Restaurants tend to oversize portions dramatically.

Want to have Kate Beckinsale's body but don't know how to get it? Need to learn how to de-stress the healthy way? Itching to discuss whether eating organic is worth it or totally over-hyped? Read about all of this and more on our next site, FitSugar!

FitSugar is coming soon. Sign up to receive an email notification as soon as we launch!

To see more eating out hints and an example menu item to modify,