Eat Out, Lose Weight & Save Money
Eating out doesn’t have to mean you can’t lose weight. It is possible to eat out and still lose weight; and yes you can eat any food, not just the stuff off the diet menu. Plus, you will save money. Just follow one of the three tips below when eating out.
Eating Out Alone
If you go out to eat by yourself then order the smallest items on the menu. For example you go to a fast food restaurant (but these tips apply to all restaurants): Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Value Fries and Value Cola will give you half the calories vs. the Single with Cheese, Medium Fries and Medium Cola. In addition, you will pay about half the price. So you will save calories and money.
|
Meal
|
Calories
|
Meal
|
Calories
|
| Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheese Burger | 310 | Wendy’s Single Cheeseburger | 530 |
| Value Fries | 210 | Medium Fries | 410 |
| Value Cola | 110 | Medium Cola | 200 |
|
Total Calories
|
630
|
|
1,140
|
|
Total Cost
|
$2.99
|
|
$5.50
|
Eat Out With a Friend & Split Something
Another way to eat what you want but save calories when eating out is to split a meal with a friend. If you must have a Wendy’s Single Cheeseburger, then split one with your friend. Split the fries and order your own value cola. Plus, if you feel this is not enough food, then order a side salad for each of you or split a bowl of chili or a baked potato. The additional drink and sides will increase the total cost to about $9.00. But your share will be only $4.50. So you will save a little money, but most importantly you will save calories and get to eat what you want, plus eat a little bit more.
Eating Out But Not Into Splitting With a Friend
Although you like your friend, you really would rather not have their grubby hands on your food. Understandable. So the easy solution is to order what you want. 
Here is the trick, ask for a to-go container as soon as you order your meal. When your food arrives you should already have the to-go container. Now before you start eating divide your food in half. Place half the food in the container. Seal it up. Now begin to eat your meal.
By splitting your food you will cut your meal’s calories in half. Since you will have a smaller portion you will more than likely eat slower and enjoy your food more. Plus, you will have an afternoon snack or dinner covered. So you save calories and you save money by not having to buy food the rest of the day. How great is that.
