by Hoang M Nguyen

Created on: January 08, 2008

Your friends invite you to that hot new restaurant in town. Or there's going to be a family reunion at the trendy seafood place. Or you want to make a good impression on your first date with a nice, romantic meal. What are you going to do if you're on a low-carb diet? Maybe just refuse and say something bland such as, "Sorry to ruin the celebration, but can't go because I gotta watch my carbs, fats, and sugars." Or better yet, you go along and sit there with a bland face, ordering water and a whole bunch of salads. Oh, the nightmare, and how boring is that?! Face it, eating out is a way of life for some of us.

There's no need to stay at home and be trapped by a strait-jacketed diet. You want to keep a healthy social life, right? Losing all your social skills is a sure way to becoming an unhealthy, unhappy compulsive eater. Believe me, I know. In fact, show your friends your sophisticated, healthy way of eating and earn their respect. What you need to do is learn what kinds of foods to look for and which ones to avoid. Let's go through a whole menu selection to see the do's and don'ts of eating out.

Beverages

The best choice is always water to wash down all that food. Tea and coffee products are also good selections, but don't go overboard on sugar, cream, and non-dairy products. If you must, order that soda, but dilute it with plenty of ice. Avoid all fruit juices.

Appetizers

How about a little bowl of fresh fruits or vegetables to start off? In fact, feel free to order that seafood cocktail. Avoid anything that has sweet or sour cream, seasoned butter, and oils.

Soups

Pick the clear broths with the noodles and vegetables. Avoid the "clouded" soups such as cream soup, egg soup, and onion soup. And no cheese either!

Salads and Vegetables

Bring in the greens! Toss in the greens! You might also add a bit of meat for some decoration. Chicken, turkey, seafood, tuna, lean beef and ham are all good as long as they haven't been fried. No bacon bits! And again, no cheese and creamy dressings. Ask for an oil and vinegar dressing on the side and sprinkle it on yourself. Any kind of vegetable is good with your meal as long as it was plainly cooked without excessive oil and sauces.

Fish, Poultry, and Red Meats

The best fish are steamed, boiled, cooked in their own juices, steamed or any method without the excessive use of oil. Above all, avoid that tartar sauce. Feel free to order the chicken, turkey, or Cornish hen. They are even better if they were prepared without fat and with

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