by Lauren Hodges, Sunshima blog writer
After months of not being able to socialise due to lockdown restrictions, we can now meet up with friends and family, guidelines permitting, in restaurants, pubs and gardens. While it can be easier to stick to healthy eating at home, or perhaps like many of us, you gained a few extra love handles, how can you eat out and be healthy? Luckily, there are several healthier ways to go about eating and drinking at pubs and restaurants that will keep you on a healthy track!
Tips for healthier or reduced alcohol consumption
Alcohol is by far the most popular drink for social gatherings today. We have a drink to celebrate nearly everything from a friend’s new job to birthdays. It is wonderful being able to see friends over a couple of drinks but if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, there are some ways you can do this without sacrificing your goals or fun!
- Opt for the low calorie/low sugar drinks. These are drinks such as vodka tonics with low cal tonic and lime or gin and soda water.
- Champagne (what could be a more celebratory drink!), one 120ml serving has only 89 calories compared to the 159 calories in one 175ml of wine 13%.
- Make healthy swaps: Instead of a frozen margarita, go for a skinny margarita.
- Alternate your beverages. For every alcoholic beverage you consume, drink a non-alcoholic one such as a water or an iced tea or even a lemonade.
- Go alcohol-free! You could even inspire your friends to follow suite. There are some great virgin drinks available such as a Virgin Mojito or a Sidecar Mocktail, and they actually taste delicious!
What to eat at a restaurant
Bar food is known for being those foods you crave for such as nachos, burgers and chicken wings. Whereas these are a nice treat, they should not be your go-to every time. Consider these options for choosing healthier meals at the pub!
- Share your food with the table. Ordering a few starters and splitting with everyone will reduce the amount of unhealthy food you intake and you may even be able to get all of your friends to order something healthy!
- View the menu before you get there, these are generally available online. By checking the menu before you arrive, you’ll have your mind made up already and are less likely to feel pressured by friends and family into getting something you know you don’t want.
- Don’t feel pressured to finish a meal if you are full, ask them to wrap/box it up and take it home with you!
- Swap for a healthier side. Go for the grilled veggies or side salad. It’s a great way to feel full quickly and add in some extra nutrients!
Going out to cafes
If you’re looking for an afternoon pick me up or late morning meal with the girls or guys, your favourite café is probably your go-to option. Cafes can actually be a wonderful option for being healthy if you do it correctly.
- Opt for the skinny lattes instead of traditional ones.
- Give milk alternatives a try in your cappuccino such as oat or coconut.
- Avoid the sugary treats that will do nothing but leave you with a sugar crash later on.
- Branch out and try a herbal tea or even a green tea if you need the extra caffeine boost!
You can still be healthy and enjoy going out to eat. It just means you have to make the decision to choose the healthier options on the menu, going for the low-calorie drinks, swapping the fries for grilled veggies, or changing up your coffee order a bit. These are all phenomenal ways to get back into the bar/pub scene without sacrificing a healthy lifestyle!