Small Eating Changes

I've been looking thru the article "50 Small Eating Changes" and decided that not all of them are worth posting. So this time I'm focusing on the hints for "Eating Out". Hopefully, they'll help me make good choices while we're in Hawaii and Salt Lake:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Decide what you're going to eat ahead of time. If you're familiar with the restaurant, don't even look at the menu.

PICK A PRICEY DISH: It provides instant portion control. Restaurants can afford to serve oversized amounts of less-costly items, such as pasta and chicken, but tend to scrimp on more expensive foods.

SLENDERIZE IT: Many restaurants serve ridiculously oversized portions, ask your waiter to bring only half your entree and wrap the rest to go. Another option: order one or two appetizers or side dishes instead of an entree.

PLACE THE FIRST ORDER: Listening to everyone else's choices makes it too tempting to change your mind.

ASK FOR AN APPETIZER: Starting with soup or salad takes the edge off your hunger and helps you to eat the rest of your meal at a leisurely pace.

BAN THE BREAD BASKET: Ask that the bread basket be removed from the table or else just move it out of your reach.

EAT BEFORE YOU GO: Have a snack before going to a dinner party. This will help you to control your appetite once you're there. Your best bet is a combination of a complex carbohydate and protein, such as a low- or nonfat yogurt and an apple.

As Julia would say, "Bon Apetit"!!