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Food
Waist not, want not
By JANET K. KEELER
Published June 21, 2006
Okay, you've heard the bad news. Again. Many Americans are overweight, in part, because we eat King Kong portions of restaurant food due to the fact we are either (1) too busy to cook, or (2) don't know how. The federal government, which wants us to keep working hard and refuses to ferry our kids to soccer practice, may soon ask restaurants to serve us smaller portions in an effort to make us look more like Kate Moss than Kate Smith. Restaurants serve large portions because it's inexpensive to do so and customers feel like they're getting good value for their money. All good for business, but apparently not for our figures. Before our diets become more legislated than they already are, consider these tips to make restaurant dining more healthful from Georgia State University nutritionist Chris Rosenbloom, who writes a column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. - JANET K. KEELER, Times food and travel editor THINK SMALL PLATES Order an appetizer as your main course or split an entree and a salad with your dining companion. Consider a cup of broth-based soup to take the edge off your hunger. Resist multiple trips to the bread basket (and never ask for a refill). NO FRIED FOOD When you have a choice, select grilled, blackened or baked chicken or fish instead of fried. No matter what type of oil is used, it's all 14 grams of fat per tablespoon. ON THE SIDE Unless you're having a Caesar salad, most restaurants these days serve dressing on the side. Ask when you order. Choose vinaigrettes over creamy dressings, and when you get the dressing on the side, use it sparingly. It doesn't do much good if you dump it all on your salad. ASK QUESTIONS Don't be shy about asking how food is prepared. Even a grilled piece of fish or beef is often draped with butter to add flavor or make it glisten. Ask for food to be grilled "dry." PLAN ON LEFTOVERS To make portions more manageable, ask for a to-go container to be brought with the meal. Put some of the meal, half if you are feeling strong, in the container before you begin to eat. Lunch for the next day. CHOOSE WISELY Pick restaurants that have at least a few healthy options. If everything is fried and drenched in butter, it'll be difficult to find enough suitable dishes to make you happy.
[Last modified June 20, 2006, 10:30:21]
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