For example, whenever I have lunch with other personal trainers, I'm almost positive the waiter will have a stroke from all the questions and special requests: "Could you bring that sauce on the side?" "Is that cooked in butter or olive oil?" "Do you have brown rice instead of french fries?"
Annoying? Probably. But you have a right to know what you're getting and ask for what you want. Making these special requests can save you more calories than you think, and that can help you save your waistline. Just make sure you leave a good tip.
When eating out, some of the questions you may want to ask include:
- How is this cooked? Sauteed chicken sounds pretty healthy until you realize it's sauteed in a pound of butter. Even vegetable dishes can be unhealthy if they're drenched in butter or oil, so don't be afraid to ask about the details and request a different method of cooking.
- Can I make a substitution? If a dish comes with fries on the side, ask if you can have a salad or vegetables instead. Even if you have to pay extra, it's worth it for fewer calories.
- Can you hold the bread? If a waiter puts a basket of bread in front of me, I will eat it. All of it. If you're the same way, ask the waiter to hold the bread or just bring you one piece so you don't blow it.
- Could you bring a doggie bag? You've probably heard about the trick of putting half your meal in a doggie bag before you dig in. This is an excellent way to avoid eating too much and have a meal for later.
