A Solid Choice from Seasons 52

Eating out can still be delicious and enjoyable, without "paying the price" in weight gain or hidden damage to your body.

Back from a week in Florida followed by a 3 day conference in Washington. Nice to be out of pocket, eating great food, and still be down another 3 and a half pounds. BTW - I’d go out of my way for the Kohlrabi steak from Seasons 52 and the pizza (vegan sausage, onions, and tomato on ancient grain crust with no cheese) from & Pizza in Georgetown whether or not I was vegan ... YUM!

"Learning some basic preparation instructions that I can share with wait staff in restaurants has helped immensely."

Even places that don't have "Vegan" or Whole Foods, Plant-Based options typically have various side orders that can be put together to make a delicious meal. Earlier this year, my in-laws took Jody and the kids and I out to Longhorn Steakhouse. I ordered a baked potato with chives (no butter or sour cream), grilled corn on the cob (no butter), and steamed broccoli. The potato looked like the size of a Smart Car and everything was delicious, filling, and left me feeling energized for the rest of the day (when everyone else felt like napping).

The thing you have to watch out for in some restaurants is the hidden oils that they use to cook with (especially true of some stir fried asian cuisine). Without knowing it you can wind up making 50 nutrient rich calories of vegetables into 300 or more of greasy, empty calories that do damage to your arteries' endothelial cells.

I like to keep it simple and not count calories. If I focus on filling myself with yummy foods that are nutrient rich, fiber full, and lower on the scale of calorie density, then I can eat to my heart and tummy's content without worrying about whether I'm over-consuming calories or added sugars and fats. Learning some basic preparation instructions that I can share with wait staff in restaurants has helped immensely.