How to Handle The Big Sloppy Meal

If you want to lose weight when eating out, you should ask for half portions even before the food arrives at your table. This really makes your healthy weight loss efforts count, as you won't be tempted to overeat. But what about situations where you are unable to get half portions, or it's inappropriate or difficult to request them? Situations like attending a business conference where you don't want to take home leftovers or a fine dining restaurant where it's not polite to ask for a doggie bag? Healthy weight loss is important, but so are social graces.

Family Situations

So how do you handle that big sloppy meal someone has cooked for you when you're trying to eat healthy? The first thing is to assess the situation. If that person put a lot of effort into cooking, you need to make sure that person feels you appreciated their efforts. Take a small portion and eat extra slowly so that it lasts longer. And remember to compliment the chef between bites!

Work Situations

When you're at work, the pickings can be slim (pardon the pun).  Attending a workshop may sometimes mean being given a pre-packaged meal full of things you'd rather avoid. Luckily, you can choose to not finish your food and not offend anyone. The trick is to make the best of your situation and work with what you have. If the meal being served is fried chicken, salad and macaroni salad, eat the chicken, minus the skin, and just stick to the salad, avoiding the mayonnaise and white-flour macaroni salad. You may miss having the fattier foods, but you will surely welcome the love your healthier self more!

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