Dining Out on the South Beach Diet
Order soup. If possible, order a cup of soup – the dieter's friend – as soon as you're seated. Look for soups that are rich in vegetables and that aren't cream-based, or order clear broth or consomm笠The beauty of soup is that it fills you up, so you're not so hungry when it comes time to order from the rest of the menu. It also sends a message to your brain that you're eating and will be full soon. Since it takes about 20 minutes for that message to travel from your stomach to your brain, by the time your main course arrives, you'll already be on the way to feeling satiated. Ask for extra veggies instead of starches. Main courses usually come with starchy side dishes, such as white rice or mashed potatoes, which are undesirable foods for South Beach dieters on Phase 1 and 2. Ask instead for extra green vegetables, such as broccoli or string beans, or for a small green salad. Today, this is a routine request in many restaurants – and your server should be happy to help. Pick healthy cooking methods. Stay away from anything on the menu that appears to be coated or battered and fried. If the dish comes with a rich butter or cheese sauce, ask for it on the side. Stick to cooking methods – such as roasting, broiling, baking, grilling, steaming and even saut訮g – that don't add bad fats. Have a (nonalcoholic) drink or two
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