Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re just going out for fun, dining at restaurants can be a hazard zone. Sadly, many restaurants don’t reveal how many calories are in their delicious dishes (unless you’re in New York City, which is awesome). For us non-city girls, we’re lucky that a few restaurants print their calorie counts on the menu. One such restaurant? Ruby Tuesday! They have a ton of options for you, and many are less than 650 calories. It’s perfect because you get a little bit of everything without feeling deprived.
I’ve also gone to my dear friend, Google, to find out approximately how many calories are in the meals at some of my other favorite restaurants. To do this, I just type the restaurant’s name + nutrition menu, then click on the site that looks the most legit. Keep in mind that not everything is going to be accurate, but it’ll give you a rough idea. And if you have a smart phone, you can always look for apps that count calories for every meal you plug in. Fast food chains like Dunkin Donuts, Subway, McDonalds, Burger King and Starbucks have nutrition menus available online too.
But when is it okay to make an exception? I do it when it’s a special occasion, like my birthday or anniversary with my boyfriend. Sometimes I order a low-cal meal, but sometimes I order whatever I’m craving that night. It’s one night and I’m going to enjoy it! For me, the key is moderation. I enjoy what I like to eat but I watch my portion size…and I eat dessert! If I start to feel a little bit of guilt creeping in on my conscience, I make sure I hit it hard at the gym. Nothing a little heart-pumping cardio can’t fix!
How’s your progress coming along? I step on the scale every one to two weeks, and Tuesday is the next weigh-in, when I’ll be sure to update you on all of my progress!