The South Beach Diet Dining Guide
Reviewed By:
Susan Janoff, MS RD LD/N
- 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 consommé. 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 ‑- 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 that don't add bad fats, such as such as roasting, broiling, baking, grilling, steaming, and even sauteing.
- Have a (nonalcoholic) drink or two.
When your server asks if you want something from the bar, order a glass of water or diet soda. Sip it instead of a mixed drink or beer, and order another to go with your meal. Beyond Phase 1, have a glass of red or white wine along with your food ‑- this is a form of alcohol that's not only acceptable but good for you.
- Enjoy dessert -- within reason.
The South Beach Diet is a lifestyle, and life without dessert would be no fun at all! But you have to make the right choices. Skip high-fat, high-sugar desserts. After Phase 1, if the menu offers fresh fruit, like berries or melon, that's your best choice. If you decide to indulge in something more decadent, use common sense. Ask the server to bring extra forks, limit yourself to three bites, and then share the rest with your fellow diners. After you've been on the South Beach Diet for a while, you may well find that your sweet tooth is more than satisfied with a small portion.
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