Making healthy eating choices even when you aren’t the one doing the cooking is possible! Use these tips when dining out or ordering takeout food.

Decode the menu

Look for choices that are baked, broiled, grilled, poached, steamed, boiled, or roasted. If you aren’t sure, ask how menu items are prepared, if they can be prepared a different way.

Start your meal with veggies

If you start your meal with a salad or eat your vegetables first, you will feel full sooner and ensure that you get valuable vegetable nutrients.

Split your dish

When ordering food, portions can be very large. Consider sharing a meal with someone else or making two meals out of it by saving half for the next day.

Look for fruits and veggies

Pick dishes that highlight vegetables like stir-fries, veggie wraps, or kabobs. Select fruit as a side dish or dessert.

Plan ahead and compare choices

Before you order takeout or head to a restaurant, see if menu information is available on a website. Look for choices that are lower in calories and sodium.

Choose your sauce

Pick sauces made from vegetables like marinara, rather than cream or butter sauces. You can ask for them on the side or for the dish to be prepared with less or no sauce.