First things first, it IS okay to be flexible with yourself, and treat yourself every once in a while. With eating out becoming such a common social experience, sometimes it can be hard to avoid, but it also can be difficult to truly know which menu options are healthy and which are not.
When eating out, one way to ensure healthy options will be available is to choose the restaurant itself carefully. Look for places that may advertise their health foods, or offer "lighter" menus, as these seem to be more and more common! Also, don't be afraid to do some research and look ahead at the menu or even nutritional values of some of the items that interest you. Also, when in doubt, if you really want something healthy and cannot find a good option, pretty much everywhere has salads, and you can count on those to have solid amounts of nutrients.
If you are attending a party or a going to a buffet, or somewhere where you are afraid you will eat too much or splurge more than you want, there are a few ways to prepare yourself in that situation as well. First, a common mistake is to starve yourself beforehand as a way to sort of make up for the calories you expect to take in. On the contrary, I recommend eating a snack, or at least eating your normal days meals before. This way, it will be easier to stop eating early, because you will feel full more quickly and will not be able to eat as much.
Again, don't be afraid to treat yourself, but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead and control the portions on those splurge nights!
When eating out, one way to ensure healthy options will be available is to choose the restaurant itself carefully. Look for places that may advertise their health foods, or offer "lighter" menus, as these seem to be more and more common! Also, don't be afraid to do some research and look ahead at the menu or even nutritional values of some of the items that interest you. Also, when in doubt, if you really want something healthy and cannot find a good option, pretty much everywhere has salads, and you can count on those to have solid amounts of nutrients.
If you are attending a party or a going to a buffet, or somewhere where you are afraid you will eat too much or splurge more than you want, there are a few ways to prepare yourself in that situation as well. First, a common mistake is to starve yourself beforehand as a way to sort of make up for the calories you expect to take in. On the contrary, I recommend eating a snack, or at least eating your normal days meals before. This way, it will be easier to stop eating early, because you will feel full more quickly and will not be able to eat as much.
Again, don't be afraid to treat yourself, but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead and control the portions on those splurge nights!