Top 5 tips to eat healthy when dining out

Dining out on The Gold Coast bar scene does not have to be unhealthy although most eating establishments go for eye appeal and taste over nutritional considerations; it’s not always the case. Restaurants with the most nutritional foods also tend to that have a fresh blackboard menu each day and rely on what’s fresh and seasonal in the local markets.

Try these strategies for finding, healthy meals out on the Gold Coast:

Check it out

You can find good healthy foods almost everywhere as people are now health conscious. The best way is to check out a restaurant or Gold Coast Bar before you go there. Most, quality places now post their menus on their websites, often with their nutritional values and descriptions so you know what you’re getting.

By doing this you can choose the healthiest options and know beforehand what you want as well as any substitutions you require. To get the best of eating out make a game plan

Before you head out, make a plan:

Usually, it’s best if you know you’re going out to dine to not go hungry, but have a substantial snack a few hours before you go so you can easily handle any delays. The best places are always busy and so you must expect to wait for your meal to be prepared.

If you know you will be dining out that evening, have a light lunch so you can enjoy a good meal without feeling you overeating. If you have a big lunch, go easy and enjoy a light dinner.

If you do end up in a restaurant hungry, try and avoid eating lots of bread, ask for a quick salad to get rid of those hunger pains.

Eating slowly is the best way to enjoy a meal and savor the different flavours, often ordering a series of entrees instead of a main meal gives you a better selection and helps to control your portions and many establishments give very large portions.

When you eat quickly it is very easy to over eat. A slow eater will eat the required amount and feel satisfied without getting bloated as it takes time for your brain to get the, I’m full, message from the stomach

Try and eat locally

Try and find a restaurant within about 15 to 20 minutes’ walk away to incorporate some healthy exercise in with your dining experience and save on taxi fares or the hassle of finding parking.

Find a good balance

Most menus have a healthy selection of salads, low fat dairy and lean cuts such kangaroo, poultry and seafood’s as well as vegetarian or vegan foods. Ask for the sauce or dressing to be served in a side dish so you can control your own portion size.

Try a cheese board or anti-pasta for dessert to round off your meal

Don’t fret about what you shouldn’t eat

Concentrate on what you want or should eat and the healthy items such as coconut or olive oils, avocado, fresh fish and unprocessed seeds and nuts.

When you go to a Gold Coast Bar or restaurant, it pays to check the menu first and never be afraid to ask for something healthy or a special order

Enjoy a true dining and bar experience at Backbone Bar on the Gold Coast.