Dine out--and still lose weight

As I mentioned in last week's blog, my #1 tip for successful weight loss is to LOSE THE WHITE STUFF.  The easiest way to make this change at home is to avoid putting any white stuff in your grocery cart.  That includes white rice, white flour, white pasta, white sugar.  All are generous sources of calories but absolutely zero nutrition.

Dining out presents its own set of challenges when you're trying to eat healthy.  Just remember these tips for making whole grain choices: If you haven’t cut bread out of your diet completely, ask for whole grain rolls, crackers, tortillas (corn or whole wheat -- instead of white)Choose oatmeal or whole grain bagels for breakfast (over white bread or white bagels) Ask for brown rice instead of white rice Ask for whole grain pasta Choose whole grains for your starch course when available instead of potatoes or white rice; (e.g. polenta, brown rice, wild rice, bulgur/Tabouleh

If enough customers are interested, you may be in for a surprise the next time you go back. Restaurants want to keep their customers happy and coming back -- make your desires known! Unless we request more nutritious whole grains when we dine out, refined grain products (white stuff) will likely remain the standard choice at most dining venues.

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