Eat out without piling on the pounds

1. Always ask how dishes are prepared. Are they baked? Are they grilled? Are they prepared with butter or oil? Ask what’s in the sauce; ask what’s in the soup; ask what’s in the dressing. Waiters are becoming accustomed to fielding these types of question, so don’t worry about pestering them.
2. Always ask for butter, gravy, sauces and salad dressings on the side. This allows you to control how much fat you eat. If it makes you feel better, lie to the waiter and say you have an allergy. A little white lie is better than a big fat one.
3. Fill up on rolls and salad, but always skip the butter. Freshly baked dinner rolls are great on their own and even better for dunking in soups and sauces.
4. Ask for milk instead of cream. A measly single-serve container of cream has approximately four grams of fat. How many cups of coffee do you have per day? A simple switch from cream to skimmed or semi-skimmed milk could mean substantial fat savings.
5. Ask for salsa or tuna (but no mayo) with a baked potato instead of sour cream or butter.
6. Order clear soups, broths or tomato-based soups instead of creamy soups or chowders.
7. If none of the main courses seem appropriate, consider ordering two starters. Steer clear of anything breaded or fried.
8. A doggy bag is your waistline’s best friend and an effective way to sidestep the ‘I’m paying for it so I’d better eat it’ booby trap. Don’t be shy about asking for one when you’re served a plate of food that rivals the Matterhorn in height.
9. If you absolutely can’t resist Death by Chocolate Cheesecake, at least split the dessert with your dinner pal and let her eat the lion’s share. People usually order dessert out of habit, but often a few bites are enough to satisfy even the sweetest sweet tooth. Remember, you’ll be wearing that delicious dessert around your waist long after the taste has left your mouth. (Cappuccino with sweetener is a pretty rich-tasting alternative for dessert.)
10. If you’re worried about drinking too much, stick to spritzers. Mixing some sparkling water with your white wine means you can drink twice as much without having to worry about.

How do you cope when eating out? Tell us your healthy-eating tips on Eating out message board