Much of our social life includes food and drink, and it is often nice to change clothes, go out to eat and see friends, or mingle and meet new people. But what about taking care of ourselves, especially if we eat out a lot?
Let’s look at ways to ensure eating out is a healthy experience.
– So many restaurants and receptions. It offers sandwiches, sandwiches and canapés with pre-dinner drinks. Hold back and remind yourself that they are often unsanitary and are often prepared much earlier. Also, they are often high in calories and have little nutritional value. Do you really want to consume all those empty, unsatisfied calories when you’ve worked so hard to get fit? Dinner will be here soon. Supermodel Jerry Hall said she always ate before going to a reception to avoid being tempted by the onslaught of sandwiches and sandwiches.
– Dances, charity lunches and birthday parties. they are often considered treats. We may spend time enthusiastically planning clothing, accessories, and choosing from the anticipated event menu. If you’re expecting this to be a forgiving affair, keep those options in mind and plan your calorie intake for the days before and after, just as you would when budgeting your household expenses when making a major purchase.
– Set menus and ordering ahead can be problematic for someone who eats out regularly and wants alternatives to rich foods and sauces. Instead, you can request vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or even diabetic-friendly options, as an increasing number of outlets cater to more specialized tastes. Ask for grilled food, sauces and dressings to be set aside so you can serve them however you like, rather than your food arriving drenched in creamy sauce or dressing.
– Dinner at home socially it can go into ‘party mode’ as it often encourages us to buy more and more items, ‘just in case’. Obviously we want to be generous and welcoming, give our guests a wonderful time and be a great host, but often a lot of food is left over after a dinner party. People joke about eating Christmas turkey for weeks, but cheese boards, chocolates, and desserts can linger long after the guests have left. Why don’t you wrap up the food you don’t want and give it to your guests when they leave? Saying ‘it’s for your kids/your lunch tomorrow’ can justify taking it out of your house.
– Healthier social eating It can be a salad, casserole, stew, barbecue, where you serve yourself and determine what and how much you eat. And certainly, soups and stews are often preferred as an alternative to rich food during long weekends of house-partying. Served with crusty bread and all the trimmings, they are often seen with relief.
– Social meal in other people’s houses. it can be problematic when you want to stay on your healthy regimen. Again, claiming dietary requirements may be an idea, but not being hungry when you arrive can help you choose more wisely when your food is served. And refuse to be intimidated into having a second helping or an extra serving of dessert.
Alcohol it often features prominently at social events, with UK prosecco sales reaching record levels year on year. A useful tip is to alternate alcoholic beverages with glasses of water, as alcohol dehydrates and causes us to drink more and faster than originally intended. Staying hydrated with regular water helps us better control our alcohol intake. Avoid sugary cocktails, and keep in mind that champagne has far fewer calories than prosecco!
Some people volunteer to be the designated driver or are happy to say they don’t drink, thus avoiding the alcohol trap. The hosts in the hotel business usually ask for a soft drink, perhaps a tonic water, served in a glass, with ice and lemon. That way, it seems like they’re bonding, drinking a bit, and can keep up a nice party atmosphere. Another option is to accept a drink and then intermittently lose it, leave it somewhere, never to claim it again!
Social dining is a nice way to relax and spend time with friends and family, especially in an increasingly limited life. It’s good to find ways to do that, while keeping in mind the big picture of staying healthy and on track.