How To Order Wisely at a Steakhouse When You're on a Diet
When it comes to dining out while on a diet, many people feel handcuffed. They think that there are very few things that they will be able to order without breaking their diet. So they either decide to skip going out to eat or else they choose to completely abandon their diet and binge. Neither of these choices is the best thing to do. There is a happy middle ground. You can certainly choose something at a steakhouse restaurant that won't blow your diet and which will be enjoyable. Here are some ideas on what you can order that won't completely crush your diet.
Skip the Calorie-Dense Sides
One of the big hidden calorie traps in a steakhouse is the plethora of sides. These side dishes tend to be laden with sauces (creamed corn or spinach) or carbs (potatoes) or carbs and fat (mac and cheese). If you really want to avoid adding excess calories to your diet, you are best served simply skipping these dishes all together. One way to look at it is that you're going out to eat at a steakhouse, so why not just give all your attention to the steak.
Opt for a Salad Instead
Just because you are skipping the majority of the side dishes, it doesn't mean that you have to skip them all. You have a variety of really good salads to choose from. The only thing to be aware of is that you don't want to go heavy with the salad dressing. Too much of most salad dressings will put you over your calorie limits. So make sure that you ask for salad dressing on the side or choose a healthier option, such as balsamic vinaigrette.
Choose a Lean Cut of Beef
While some people will want to go right for the prime rib, that might not be the best choice. You don't want to choose this type of beef because it's marbled with fat. Now, for people who are not on a diet, that might be fine because it has the flavor that fat provides. But if you are on a diet, instead choose a leaner cut from a piece of beef that was grass fed. These cuts will have less fat than prime rib, but they won't lack flavor since the cows were fed on grass and not grain.
Watch the Sauce
Just like how you need to be cautious about salad dressing, you also need to be cautious about sauce on your steak. Too much sauce, especially those that are made with butters and creams or egg yolks, will really make the calories add up. Instead, you should opt for a wine based sauce, or just the classic seared steak.