7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center
Weekly Inspirational Tip
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Restaurant
Dining
A lot of our
dieters tell us from time to time that they have an event upcoming that
involves eating out at a restaurant. Some put off starting their diet
because of such an event. Others seem to think that this is going to set
their diet back for days.
Don't fall
prey to this kind of thinking. Restaurant dining can still be just as
pleasant and enjoyable as it ever was. You just need to make the right
choices.
Before I
go on, let me say that I'm not talking about Fast Food Restaurants here. There's not much at any Fast Food restaurant that won't sidetrack your
diet. Stay away!
Start out
with a nice green leafy salad with an olive oil vinaigrette and/or lemon. It is also ok to bring your own dressing. I find that the individual
packets of Waldon Farms dressings are very convenient for this.
If a
breadbasket is served, just try to avoid it being placed right in front of
you. We're going to assume that you're dining with others who may not be
on a diet. If all the diners in your party are dieting, feel free to
decline the breadbasket altogether. Just ask your server to remove it.
Entrees
are easy. There's usually chicken or fish on most restaurant menus. Stay away from deep-fried or pan-fried items. Think broiled or
grilled. Or, in the case of fish, steamed or poached. Stay away
from heavy sauces. Again, lemon is your friend.
You all
know what veggies you're allowed. If potatoes, rice or pasta come as part
of your meal, just ask for a second veggie instead. Ask to have your
veggies steamed.
Obviously
we're going to avoid the dessert cart, and any alcoholic beverages.
The most
important tip I can give you is not to be afraid to ask for something if you
don't see it on the menu. When you go to an establishment to dine, you're
the one in charge. If a restaurant makes you feel like you're not the one
in charge, find one that does. Most restaurant owners and chefs want to
please you. They want you to be happy so you will come back. If you
don't see what you want, ask your server if the chef can prepare an
alternative. If your restaurant cooks with fresh ingredients, the chef
will most likely be happy to accommodate your wishes. If the restaurant
doesn't use fresh ingredients, you might be at the wrong place. If you
have questions, it's perfectly ok to call the restaurant with any concerns
before your trip there.
In
conclusion, don't let restaurants intimidate you. Hopefully this will
empower you to feel positive about dining out and not let the experience
sidetrack you from your diet.
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7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center
Weekly Recipe
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Stuffed
Chili Peppers
(Equivalent
to 1 Ideal Diet food)
For
All Phases Of Ideal Diet
Ingredients:
2 cups of celery, green peppers and mushrooms chopped
coarsely or finely, as you prefer.
1 Ideal Protein Vegetable Chili
Sea Salt
Seasonings of your choice
1 Large fresh green pepper
Preparation:
Drizzle a little olive oil in a stir fry pan. Add chunks
of celery, green peppers and mushrooms and stir fry till "al dente"
Season with Sea salt and your favorite seasonings. Cook the vegetable chili as
directed on the packet. When both are cooked to perfection, mix them together.
Cut the top off of a green pepper that you've cleaned out and stuff it with the
mixture.
Put the bell pepper in the oven at 350 and bake for about
25 minutes.
Phase 4 Variations: Add cooked lentils or kidney
beans and/ or cooked ground white poultry meat.
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