How to Eat Healthier When Dining Out

Eating out is generally less healthy than preparing foods at home, that is unless you're living off of Top Ramen noodles and cans of Spaghetti- O's.

Typically, restaurants use cheap vegetable cooking oils, like Canola, which when exposed to high heat, chemically denatures and can actually raise bad cholesterol levels (LDLs), but that's for a whole other topic. This is generally the biggest reason why it's unhealthy to eat out.

Another main reason is you don't know the source of the foods you're eating. Are the meats from a local source and humanely-raised and grass-fed or is it derived from mass-produced agri-business slaughterhouses that pump hormones, steroids, and antibiotics into what you're eating?

It's not a pleasant thought but it's one worth thinking about.

On an energetic level, to make sure you're eating the right foods for your Metabolic Type, there are simple ways to get good energy from food when eating out.

Most restaurants and cafes will allow you to custom order off of the menu. If you know that you do better eating higher amounts of protein and natural fat, for example, you wouldn't want to order spaghetti at an Italian restaurant even if it comes with chicken. Instead, ask the waiter if the cook can just prepare you a plate with grilled chicken and vegetables. A side salad with that would most likely leave you feeling satisfied.

If you must eat some spaghetti, just have a portion about the size of your fist.

And before the waiter is able to place on your table a bread basket before the main entrée comes out, don't give in to temptation. Instead, politely refuse the bread, which is most likely white bread that will end up bloating your gut anyway.

Pay attention to the macronutrient proportions (carbs, fats, protein) and determine what ratios you do best on. Life's too short to count calories. Eating should be a blessed experience every time, but do so knowing that you have your macronutrient ratios dialed in to achieve optimum energy after every meal.

It's never much fun to feel like you're in a coma after you eat. I personally do well on a dinner plate that's about 40% protein; 30% natural fat and the other 30% coming from mostly veggies. This isn't percentage of calories; just proportion of the whole meal.

Perhaps you'll do better on 30% protein, 20% fat and 50% carbs.... start paying attention to how you feel until you discover the best ratio for you. Then start custom ordering your meals accordingly.

The waiter and the cook might think you're a pain in the butt, but who cares? It's your wellness that's at stake.