Eating out on a diet

Everybody loves to have a foody splurge every once in a while. However that doesn't mean you have to come home feeling the size of a house. These are my best tips for eating out on a diet!

1. Think protein / salad rather than carbs
 Don't think it's your duty to eat pasta or a carb-heavy main course. Try switching up a few protein-based starter plates and a salad, or order extra vegetables with a meaty main course. Fill up on veg, not carbs! You don't need that random free bread, get cho' hands off it! You wouldn't sit around snacking on carby loaves of bread before a meal at home, so don't do it when you're out either.

2. Tap water is king
If you're taking step one, chances are your bill might have increased a bit by avoiding the typical main dish route. Save cash and calories, woohoooo. The average fizzy drink contains 9g of sugar, and fruit juices aren't much better either. Just save the fuss and go au natural.

3. 80% full rule
I always try to walk away from a meal when I'm 80% full. Chances are, if you wait for 20 minutes for your head to catch up with your stomach, you'll realise you're actually full. Don't be tempted by starters or desserts if you don't need them.

Restaurant examples...
Nandos
Everybody lurrrrvs a nandos! But come on, time to think logically. A carby main dish, plus two carby side dishes? Noooo! Opt for macho peas (only 3g saturated fat), corn on the cob or a simple side salad. I always get the beanie burger but leave the bread bun, plus macho peas. 

Pret
Recently Pret have started doing little protein pots, with a little salmon quinoa salad or some boiled eggs and spinach. I LOVE this idea! Pret is generally not too bad healthwise anyway, but thought I'd just include it.

Jamie's Italian
Jamie's actually do "healthy options" of all their main pasta dishes which puts them around 300kcal. I love the Crab Spaghettini. Since all their dishes are fresh too, it's easy to request specifics such as extra protein or salad with your order.

Pizza Express
Pizza Express have a fab range of 300kcal pizzas and healthy salads. The Leggera Superfood salad is super good - spinach, butternut squash, beetroot, avocado, lentils and mozzarella - tonnes of protein and healthy fats. Plus, it's possible to swap salad dressing to the "light" option, or opt for 0% fat balsamic dressing instead. You can also add chicken (extra protein!) and remove dough sticks or carby extras from your order.