If you’re a foodie — or just love living life deliciously — Arizona Restaurant Week is a must-taste experience.
But is it possible to indulge and stick to your healthy eating plan? Mckenzie Dryden, a registered dietitian at HonorHealth Integrative Medicine, says yes!
A fork full of flavor
With decadent dishes like slow-roasted pork belly or caramel tres leches cake on the menu, it might seem impossible to make healthy choices during Arizona Restaurant Week.
"There's such an unfortunate stigma around the idea that you can’t eat out if you’re trying to be healthy,” says Dryden. “While you can get a lot of great nutrition by eating at home, you can also get those things dining out.” Dig into these five tasty tips for guilt-free flavor on every plate:
- Plan ahead: Browse menus in advance to avoid making impulsive decisions.
- Balance your plate: Include lean proteins, whole grains and vegetables.
- Check cooking methods: “If something is baked, broiled, grilled or steamed, there's not as much saturated fat going into that cooking process,” Dryden notes. Avoid fried dishes and ones with butter or cream sauces.
- Customize your order: Ask for dressings and sauces on the side and look for restaurants that allow substitutions.
- Control your portions: Restaurant portion sizes are typically much larger than recommended serving sizes. Split desserts, box half of each dish to go or simply stop when you are full.
Train your brain with mindful eating
One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make during Arizona Restaurant Week, says Dryden, is being too restrictive before and during the meal.
“If you skip meals during the day or arrive starving, you’re more likely to overeat and feel guilty,” she explains. “Be mindful about how quickly you eat. Choose foods you’ll really enjoy and take your time.”
Don’t limit your mindfulness to what is on your plate, either. Soft drinks and other flavored beverages can add hundreds of empty calories to your meal without providing nutritional benefits. Drink plenty of water and skip cocktails made with sugary mixers.
The last bite
There’s room at the table for healthy eaters during Arizona Restaurant Week. With a little planning, you can have your tres leches cake — and eat it too.
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