+ choices	Go easy on:
Grilled meats without skin	Breaded or batter-dipped meats
Baked potatoes	Home-fried and deep-fried potatoes
Sandwiches on whole wheat, pita bread or rye without mayonnaise	Sandwiches on croissants and biscuits
Tossed salad with dressing on side	Large amounts of dressing
Salad bars, vegetables	Cheese, bacon bits, potato and macaroni salad

      

+ choices	Go easy on:
Minestrone Soup	Antipasto plates
Breadsticks (no butter)	Buttered garlic bread
Pasta with red sauce	Creamy white or butter sauce such as Alfredo
Chicken cacciatore	Italian sausage

          

+ choices	Go easy on:
Black bean soup	guacamole dip with tortilla chips
Salsa	Cheese and sour cream
Plain, soft tortillas or burritos with your favorite meat and vegetables, soup and salad combinations.	Tacos, taco salad, tostadas, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tamales, quesadillas

WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK.  If you don't understand a description, ask the waiter/waitress.  Ask about methods of preparation, what can be left off or on the side, or what low fat products they have.

Examples:

• "Do you have a low fat dressing?" "Can the sour cream be placed on the side?"
• "The menu says "marinated"--marinated in what?"
• "The Oriental Chicken Salad, is the chicken grilled or fried?"
• "The steamed vegetables--is any butter or margarine used after steaming?

ASK FOR IT!    Restaurants aim to please you, the customer, so that you will come back.  Many restaurants will be glad to change the way your food is prepared or served.                       

• Ask to substitute vegetable or salad instead of chips or french fries
• Ask for sauces on the side or less sauce.
• Ask for lunch portions rather than the dinner size.

 Examples:     

• "I would like the low fat Ranch on the side, please."
• "Your Chicken Fettucine Alfredo--I'd like that with marinara sauce instead."
• "The grilled chicken sandwich comes with chips, I'd like a house salad instead.  Would you bring the salad first?"

BE PREPARED!

 Plan your menu choice before going out to eat.  Go to a familiar  restaurant or call ahead to question a new restaurant regarding an appropriate choice. Serving you well is their job!