Chinese/Thai and South Indian foods are far safer options for dieters as you have more choice, and while you can easily cut calories you do not end up compromising your taste buds. Choose steamed rice over fried rice or noodles and avoid coconut-based gravies. Opt for stir-fried vegetables over the Manchurians and other fried accompaniments. In South Indian foods, choose idlis, plain dosas or uttapams all with sambar but not coconut chutney. Again, avoid fried food like wadas. Ask the restaurant to use as little oil as possible and not to sprinkle coconut as garnishing.
Desserts If you notice the size of the dessert spoons it will tell you something. Put a tiny little serving, the tiniest you can manage, of that sinful looking mousse on your plate, take a small portion, put it in your mouth and don't swallow; allow it to melt first—two more spoons the same way and you are done! Psychologists say it's only these first three swallows that count, with the remaining, we are only trying to relive that sensation of the earlier mouthful. It not only satisfies you but also sends a signal to your brain that the meal has ended—and helps you stay on your diet. Eat your meal slowly and chew it well. You cannot eat excessively and think, “I'll workout 20 minutes extra tomorrow.”
Whatever changes you make in your diet for weight loss have to be permanent ones if you want to look great (just looking good is not an option here!). If you can't help but order that chocolate pastry, taste it, share it with a spouse or friend or pack half of it and take it home to eat it the day after. Remember, dieting is about finding better options and not imposing restrictions on yourself. It's about teaching yourself to make wise choices and most importantly allowing yourself to enjoy and experiment with different foods and letting yourself discover their goodness. So go ahead, enjoy yourself, but see that you are getting the best bargain from your food.
Here's your complete weight loss diet guide to eating out by cuisine:
Indian/Mughlai Eat: Tawa options, dal or vegetables with tomato gravy, tandoori roti Avoid: Deep fried appetisers, heavy gravies like butter paneer or chicken, plain/butter naan
Chinese Eat: Clear soups, steamed starters, steamed dumplings, steamed rice, stir fry vegetables. Avoid: Thick soups, fried starters, noodles, breaded or deep-fried foods, thick sauces, oily accompaniments
Italian Eat: Vegetable or seafood antipasti, grilled chicken or fish, tomato-based sauces, whole wheat grain pasta or pizza Avoid: Deep fried or breaded foods, cheesy, creamy sauces
Mediterranean Eat: Tomatoes with (small quantities of) feta cheese, salads, hummus, grilled chicken Avoid: Pita bread, fried falafel, processed ham, sausages or salami slices
Japanese Eat: Sushi, teppanyaki dishes (meat, fish or vegetables cooked on iron griddle) Avoid: Tempura, large sushi platters, teriyaki sauce
Samreedhi Goel is a Mumbai-based nutritionist, fitness expert and proprietor at Size Wise The Fitness Studio. You can contact her onSizewise.co.in
Weight Loss diet
