Since last year’s SB 1420 bill passed (the one that requires chain restaurants to provide nutritional information to diners), we’ve been able to make conscious decisions when dining at chains.
As for non-chains, we’re on our own. But keeping a few things in mind when dining can help you from going overboard. I talked to Susan Johnson of the Irvine-based Susan’s Healthy Gourmet for some advice on ordering healthy in non-chains. Read on for some of her tips.
- Order small plates. When eating out with friends, you’ll get the variety in small quantities that you can share. For most of us, a few bites of a dish will do. This applies to desserts as well. “It’s a great way to get something sweet is to share,” Johnson says. “You’ll get a taste of something without having to eat the whole thing.”
- Box it. Many of us are diligent about asking for the doggy bag after we’ve eaten our fill, but you might be better off boxing up half the entrée before you even pick up your fork.
- Order grilled or steamed. Grilled chicken and fish are good bets. As for vegetables, they "taste better at restaurants because they run them through a butter bath,” Johnson says. Subbing for steamed vegetables will do the trick.
- Breakfast breads: “English muffins are lower in calories than toast,” Johnson says. Also, use jam instead of butter to further cut calories.
- Cobb, Caesar and Chinese Chicken salads are the worst to order, the former two because of creamy mayo-based dressings. Chinese Chicken salad has a high sodium content. If you’ve got a hankering for any of these, order dressings on the side and ask for half the amount of cheese. You’ll still get the taste of cheese without overdoing it.
- At the bar: “Red wine is your best bet. It’s less caloric than white,” Johnson says. Choose flavored vodkas over fruity drinks, and light beers over dark. “Blond beers have fewer calories than darker ales,” Johnson says.
When choosing restaurants, find the ones that are accommodating to your pick-and-choose methods. “I try to frequent the restaurants where you can choose and customize your meal,” she says.
Johnson’s restaurant picks:
- Bistango: For small plates.
- Cocina Alessa: “If you have to have a Caesar salad, this is the best one around,” she says.
- Memphis Café: Yes, you can eat healthy at a Southern restaurant. Memphis’ pan-roasted chicken (order without the garlic butter) and blue corn chicken salad (ask for grilled chicken) are Johnson’s recommendations.