Dining out is the more convenient option when managing a busy schedule or arriving home after a long day at work as is the ‘go-to’ choice for many a date.
While ordering out is easier than preparing a wholesome meal, it is also difficult to determine what the best is for you, your date (and even your family).
Eat in or dine out: Do you really know what’s on the menu?
Eating at home or eating out offers important consideration for the ingredients included. When preparing a meal at home, you know which ingredients are going into the lunch or dinner. When dining at a restaurant, it is difficult to determine what exactly what is going into the food on your plate.
You want to make the most nutritious food choices when out with your family. We look at popular menu choices and how you can select the best meals your children will enjoy and benefit from.
How to Know what’s on the Menu When Dining Out
Going to a restaurant, it is easy to choose cost-effective meals or foods loaded with grease, fat and high sugar content. You really do not know what is on the menu unless you ask for the ingredients when dining out.
To incorporate healthier options for lunch or dinner, have your meal your way. Stick to a side of vegetables, savory rice or salad rather than fries and have your meat or fish dishes grilled. Salads should always be fresh and without the addition of calorie dense dressings.
It is important to ask how the food will be prepared. If the menu selection states healthier or light, it may still be prepared in oil with a high fat content. Many contemporary and well-known local restaurants have incorporated healthier items on the menu. Even the most popular fast food chains are introducing grilled alternatives from wraps to whole grain sandwiches. If you and the family are looking for a quick bite to eat, opt for a lightly toasted whole grain wrap and always choose brown bread over white.
Dining Out with the Kids
When dining out with your (our your date’s) children, it can become a serious problem if you do not know what is on the menu and young ones get excited upon your arrival – you’ll need all the help you can get. To prevent children from screeching, throwing tantrums and choosing the worst items on the menu, go online, read the menu and discuss the options with them before leaving home.
This way, they are prepared, you have peace of mind your children will be enjoying a quality meal, and it eliminates the possibility of chaos when dining out.
Eating in – What You Should Know
Most children are receptive to eating their vegetables and whole grains when it is a shared experience. Make dining in a family event. Eating in should include fresh vegetables, a good portion of protein and carbohydrates. Natural ingredients with wholesome flavors packed with nutrition should always be on the menu.
Conclusion:
Whether dining out or eating in, learning what is on the menu can help you make better choices for the long-term health of you and your family.