Check in Before Eating Out

If you're watching what you eat, then one of the biggest pitfalls can be eating in a restaurant, especially with friends or significant others. When dining out, call the restaurant or get a menu online ahead of time. Many restaurants publish their entire menu online or have copies available for you to take home. Call ahead if you have questions about how food is prepared - whether fried, cooked in butter or prepared in other unhealthful ways. By planning exactly what you'll be eating, you're less likely to order a deep-fried, greasy dish in the heat of the moment or dive into that fatty onion petal appetizer. When you're surrounded by a group of individuals who aren't in the same health-conscious mindset as yourself, it's easy to be influenced by their choices. Prevention is key.