It’s no secret that eating out often can lead to serious health risks and unwanted extra pounds. However, for some, cutting street food and delicious restaurants out of their diet is out of the question. Fortunately, there are ways to stay healthy and in shape for those who are always on the go and resort to dining out.
Here are 5 ways one can stay healthy while continuing to enjoy your favorite restaurants and vendors:
1. Learn to Cook Delicious and Healthy Food
One of the best ways to stay fit while eating out often is by making time to cook. If you’re really serious about living a healthy lifestyle you need to cook whenever you get the chance. Making the time to cook here and there will offset the effects of fattening foods.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “I don’t have the slightest idea about how to cook” think again! Anyone can follow a recipe and better yet, they’re easily accessible on the internet! This site, for example, is full of tips and recipes for healthy smoothies that make for the perfect detox dessert after a night of street vendor pizza and hot dogs.
It’s not about giving up dining out completely but finding a balance.
2. Find an Enjoyable Mode of Exercise
You can also combat the effects of a fattening meal with daily exercise. Not only is this good to avoid adding on unwanted weight, but exercise is good for your overall well-being!
Whether you do something as simple as taking a morning or evening walk, or something more serious like Crossfit, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to keep your body in shape when you have a method of exercise that you enjoy. Many people find activities like hiking enjoyable, as it doesn’t usually feel like exercise at all.
Find what you enjoy and stick to it. You’ll notice amazing results in only a matter of weeks.
3. Say No to Mediocre Food
Life’s too short to eat food that is “just okay”. Don’t waste your calorie count for the day on food that’s just sub-par, especially if you have a better, healthier option available.
You can avoid eating food that tastes just okay and is bad for you by setting a limit for your outside of the house food intake for the week. If you only allow yourself a certain amount of restaurant food per week, you’ll be less likely to eat poorly just for the sake of eating poorly.
Also, consider the idea of meal prepping! This is great for those who are always on the go. In the mornings, grab your already prepped lunch and start your day!
4. Modify Your Order
If you generally order a double stack burger with everything on it, you should consider taking on a lighter approach. Try ordering certain things on the side so you can ensure that you are in control of what you’re consuming. Being conscious about what you’re ordering and consuming is a must.
For example, if you’re already having a lighter option like salad, ask for the dressing on the side so that you can add in only the amount that you need. This is one way to avoid overeating or taking in more calories than necessary.
5. Educate Yourself
In order to figure out how to eat out while still keeping in shape, you will need to figure out the appropriate calorie intake for your body. There are apps and websites that help you count calories and keep track of your diet. Learn how to check the nutrition facts on the packaging of your favorite pre-packaged foods.
With this knowledge, you can find a happy medium to keep yourself healthy while still enjoying the foods that you always have. For some people, a life without food trucks, street vendors, and restaurants is not a life worth living. If this is the case, you’ll want to figure out a way to enjoy the foods that you love while keeping the body that you love.
Conclusion
Use these 5 tips to keep yourself healthy and happy while eating all of your favorite foods.
Fallon Chan is a food and lifestyle photographer and blogger.
