Healthy eating has become so craze in recent years. More people are worried about their health, and forward-looking restaurants in Malta have transformed into healthier eating places. While in the past, many restaurants in Malta focused on fast food and frozen meat, today you can find healthy alternatives that don’t break the bank. Eating out is a fun and sociable activity that the whole family can enjoy. Overeating, unhealthy diets, and poor choice of food can do more harm than good. There’s no need to put a damper on your social life and if you take a few steps to ensure your next visit to a restaurant will be a wholesome and healthy one.
1 – Check out the menu beforehand
You can visit the venue beforehand the check out the menu, or even look it up online. Many restaurants have online menus and a website where you can find out what food is on offer. You can also decide on your choice of food before arriving at the venue. That way, you can choose a healthy dish without getting distracted by aromas and tempting recipes that aren’t so healthy. If you are distracted or hungry, you are more likely to make unhealthy food choices.
2 – Consider your diet
If you are on a diet, don’t be tempted to order your favourite food without worrying if it’s healthy or not. You should be flexible about your choice of food is linked to a better lifestyle, and improved overall health and weight management. Think carefully about how a meal will fit into your diet, and if it is a healthy choice, go ahead and indulge yourself!
3 – Drink water
Drinking water before and during the meal is a healthy choice instead of surgery soft drinks. Replacing your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and replacing them with water helps you to reduce your intake of calories and harmful sugar.
4 – Food preparation and cooking
You don’t want to be eating warmed up food from yesterday’s menu! Finding out how the food is stored, cooked, and prepared ensures you get fresh food. The way food is cooked can have a significant impact on the number of calories it has. Generally speaking, look for healthier cooking methods like steamed, grilled, roasted or poached food. Such cooking methods contain less fat and fewer calories. Fried food, pan-fried, crispy, and sautéed dishes invariably contain far more fat and calories.
5 – Chew your food properly
Eating slowly and chewing your food correctly may help you eat less and enjoy your food more, as it makes you feel full quicker. You can do this by making sure you chew every mouthful slower to prevent yourself from eating too quickly. Putting down your utensils in between mouthfuls is an excellent way to slow your eating down and giving your satiety signals enough time to kick in. Eating mindfully helps you choose better and give more attention to the process of eating. You will actually enjoy the meal and flavour more, as you savour every mouthful and appreciate every taste. Eating mindfully has been linked to healthier food choices in restaurants, and It can improve your self-control, thereby preventing you from overeating.