If you find yourself eating more takeout meals than home cooked meals, chances are that you aren’t eating as healthy as you could be. As more popular restaurant chains add drive-thru or carry-out services to their menu, more people are dining out for the sake of convenience. If this sounds like you, it’s time to take control of the takeout menu and begin to eat in a more healthy way. Here’s how:

Order Dressing on the Side

Dressing is a virtual salad killer. If you’re ordering a salad in an attempt to eat a healthy meal, the dressing that you choose can ruin your meal in no time flat. Instead of having your dressing added to your salad, ask for it on the side. When you sit down to eat, don’t pour your dressing over your salad. Instead, dip your fork in the dressing and then pierce your lettuce. You’ll have just the right amount of dressing to add flavor without adding dozens of calories!

Get Down With the Brown

Whether you are ordering a main dish that comes with sides or ordering sides in lieu of a meal, skip anything that’s white. Choose brown rice, whole grain breads, wheat pastas and sweet potatoes instead of their lighter colored siblings. Not only will you be choosing healthier options, you’ll be selecting foods that are more satisfying. Eating these foods will fill you up more quickly and keep you fuller for longer.

Skip the Fried Food

Fried food is yummy, there’s no doubt about it! Fried food is also ridiculously high in calories. Instead of choosing fried chicken or fish, ask for grilled or broiled meats or fish. Grilling and broiling are much healthier ways of preparing meats and are just as flavorful.

If there is a particular dish that you’re craving, don’t skip it just because its featured meat is fried! Ask if the cook can prepare the same dish using grilled or broiled meat instead. Most restaurants will be happy to adjust a meal to please their customers.

Load Up on Veggies

Whenever you’re given the choice, load up on veggies! Whether you’re ordering a side or main, packing your plate full of vegetables is one of the easiest ways to make sure your meal is healthy. Most restaurants offer vegetarian dishes or dishes that can easily be transformed into vegetarian dishes. If you decide to fill your plate with vegetables, make sure that they aren’t slathered in butter!

Order it Naked

Many meals on any restaurants would be healthy if it weren’t for the sauces, butters, gravies and cheeses that they are swimming in. If you simply can’t resist having that double cheeseburger, go for it! Just ask for it plain. When you bring it home, add healthy toppings from your own refrigerator to make it uniquely yours. If the sauce s your favorite part of the sandwich, ask for it on the side. Dip your sandwich before you take a bite to get flavor with fewer calories.
If you’re trying to eat healthy, there’s no reason why you can’t order takeout from your favorite restaurant! If you know how to choose healthier options and aren’t afraid to ask that some menu items be tailored to your tastes, you can eat in a healthy way, even if you aren’t cooking it yourself!

Author’s Bio

Renee Varney is a freelance blogger and occasionally writes for delivery.com a site she loves using to find local Food Delivery using their Chinese Delivered directory.