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"I'm sure the sweet potato cake was intended to complement the seasoning of the pork, but I'm trying to avoid starches right now. . . do you think he (or she) would allow me to substitute a vegetable? It's okay if you charge me a little extra." Then see what they propose for you. I've found that often, when I offer to pay a little extra, I end up getting my veggies without having to do so, whereas if I make a point of trying to get a substitution for the same price, I may be told to just order a vegetable from the a la carte side of the menu.

4) Order wine by the glass. Limit yourself to two glasses, one before the meal (while others are eating bread or other diet-destroying fillers) and one with your main course. Yes, this is more expensive than sharing a bottle with your dinner companion, but you will also have the opportunity to try two different wines, which can further enrich your dining experience.
5) Make a point of having SOMETHING at the end of your meal, even if it isn't truly dessert. If you are lucky enough to find a dessert souffl or a zabaglione among the dessert options, consider sharing one with a friend. . . the high egg content of these desserts means they are high in protein and usually the sugar content is much lower than it would be in a cake or pie. I will often ask for a cheese plate, which is fine if you are rationing your carbs, but another good strategy is to have a cup of some unusual tea or coffee (with the sugar substitute of your choice). Again, treat yourself to something you don't usually have rather than sitting there watching your friends eat.

Remember, you don't have to over-indulge or have an intense chocolate dessert to enjoy yourself, or feel as though you are doing something special. And after all, you are eating more sensibly in order to take better care of yourself so you certainly SHOULD feel special.

Learn more about this author, B. Iris Tanner.
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