It’s hard to stick to a diet, but the challenge becomes even more difficult when you leave your kitchen. Calories, carbs, sugar…restaurant menus make it easy to lose track of these diet crashers. Fear not weight watchers! If you are committed to your healthy eating habits, we offer these helpful tips on nutritious dining:

1. Vegetarian Choices

Chefs have discovered a way to add taste and zest to oft neglected vegetarian options. Restaurants like the Sahara offer meatless fare that is far from tofu, soybean vegetarian meals.

2. Requests are Allowed

It’s your plate and your choice what goes on it. You can request that gravy, dressings and other savory sauces be removed from your dish or be placed on the side. This tactic saves calories by allowing you to choose how much of these high calorie items you consume.

3. Heart Healthy Menus

Some restaurants offer Weight Watchers meals or designate a heart healthy choice. Many restaurants, such as the Michigan City Applebees, located inside Marquette Mall are affiliated with the diet franchise. Logos and numbers referencing the dfish’s point count identify the Weight Watchers meals on the menu.

4. Avoid Mom’s Cooking

Foods labled as fried, crispy, stuffed or au gratin are trouble. They can be high in fat and calories – a no-no for anyone watching their weight. Replace the crispy fried stuff with steamed, broiled, baked, grilled, poached or roasted foods. Ask for grilled chicken at any of the bars and grills in town, like The Harbor Grill. Sure, these chefs don’t make it like mom, but they’ll find away to satisfy those taste buds anyways.

5. Say No to Butter

Sometimes it’s necessary to cook with oil and that’s fine – 10-30% of our daily calories should come from fat. Vegetable oil provides a much healthier dose of fats than the alternative butter. Butter lurks in many dishes when dining out. Avoid the butter monster and chose vegetable (olive oil, soybean) oil instead.

6. Just Dessert

Believe it or not, some eateries provide healthy dessert options. Explore menu items with mixed fruits or sherberts to appease that sweet tooth.

7. Bye Bye Calories

Some calories are easy to find such as those in cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. Get in the habit of avoiding these tempting toppings.

8. Bad Salads

Salads can be deceiving with all the extra ingredients (and thus, extra calories). Mixed greens are always a good option, but be careful when delving into options with cheese, bacon, heavy dressings and other meats.

9. That’s What Friends are For

Splitting an entrée is both cost and calorie effective. Many restaurants provide servings that will topple regimented diet plans. In that case, get two plates and watch your calories disappear in your friend’s appetite.

10. Go Fish

Remember that joke from Seinfeld? “You know why fish are so thin? They eat fish!” Fish are great for many diets and with Lake Michigan so close, the freshness can’t be beat at local venues such as The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Traveling provides a tempting opportunity to veer off your strict eating plans so remember these tips when vacationing as well as when exploring Michigan City. Bon Appetie!