If You Have Diabetes, Here's Exactly What To Order At 8 Types Of Restaurants
When you have diabetes, eating out can seem more complicated than deciphering the new tax code. But it doesn’t have to be. “People with diabetes can enjoy most any kind of restaurant,” says Jill Weisenberger, RDN, CDE, author of Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week. “The key is to stick as closely to your usual meal plan as possible.” Here’s how. (Find out how to stop the craving cycle before it starts and burn fat around the clock with the naturally sweet, salty, and satisfying meals in Eat Clean, Lose Weight & Love Every Bite.) Worried about all that crust? Go with one slice of thin crust pizza and you’ll lighten the carb count of your slice by a third compared to a regular slice. If a single slice sounds too skimpy, pump up the volume—and the fiber—by adding plenty of chopped veggies. And speaking of veggies, filling up on a salad before your pie arrives can also put the breaks on hunger. These pita pizzas will totally change the way you think about dinner: “Given that pasta is packed with carbohydrates, it’s probably not the best idea to make it the center of your meal,” says Weisenberger. Just one order of spaghetti and meatballs can easily pack 150 grams of carbs. That doesn’t mean you have to go 100% pasta-free though. Weisenberger recommends ordering pasta as a side dish and limiting your portion to a half-cup, or about the size of a tennis ball. Pair it with an order of mussels fra diavolo, chicken cacciatore, or grilled calamari. (And make sure you try these 6 ways to make Italian food flat belly-friendly!) We hope you enjoy the products we're recommending as much as we do! Just so you know, Prevention may get a share of sales from the links on this page. If you’re eating Chinese food, chances are there’s going to be rice on your pla Continue reading >>
Other Restaurant Food
Eating in a sit-down restaurant doesnt guarantee a healthy meal. Portions are often large and foods usually have a lot of fat and sodium added to them during cooking. Try some of these tips for choosing healthier menu items: Work with your server before you order. Dont be afraid to ask questions about the food. If your server doesnt know the answers to your questions, ask him or her to check with the chef. Below are some types of questions you might want to ask. Can the item be grilled or broiled instead of fried? Can you get a baked potato or salad instead of fries? Choose items that are baked, broiled, grilled, or poached instead of fried. Watch for clues on the menu. Crispy or breaded also mean fried. Ask for sauces and salad dressings to be served on the side. They add flavor but can add lots of calories, sodium, and fat. Add sauces and salad dressing by dipping your fork into the sauce or dressing first, then spear a piece of meat or lettuce for a little bit with each bite. Order the smallest size of meat. A grilled chicken breast is a better choice over half a chicken. Or choose a small filet instead of a 12-ounce steak. If portions are large, eat just half of your meal. Save the rest for lunch another day. Think about splitting a dish with a friend. You can each order a salad and share a main course. This can also help you save money! If you like trying new ethnic cuisines, consider the suggestions below: Try steamed mussels, kebobs, Thai shrimp soup, Thai salads, curries, Thai chicken with vegetables, garlic shrimp, or beef with basil and vegetables. Choose a small portion of steamed rice instead of fried rice or noodles. At Mexican places, try to limit the chips you eat to a handful. If thats hard to do, ask your server to take the basket away. Here are some m Continue reading >>
Dining Out With Diabetes: Mexican Restaurants
Let’s face it, eating out is something we all like to do. It’s relaxing, convenient, and fun to let someone else worry about what to cook. For people with diabetes, it’s important to keep an eye on your plate – whether you’re at home or at a restaurant. It can be a challenge to find healthy options, but it’s not impossible. Mexican Dining: Learn the Language Should you order the Grande Chicken Taco Salad or the Chicken Fajita Salad? Or maybe you should you try the Chimichanga? The salads basically sound the same, right? No, not exactly. Both of the salads, from On the Border, are made with chicken and lettuce, but one of them comes in a big (grande) taco shell. The Grande Chicken Salad has about 1280 calories and 75 grams of carbs, while the Fajita Chicken Salad has about 750 calories and 25 grams of carbs. The fried tortilla shell makes a big difference in calories! Otherwise, a chicken salad with veggies and even beans is a healthy meal option. Chimichangas (1350 calories and 130 grams of carbs), along with their smaller relatives empandas and taquitos, are deep fried tortillas that are filled with meat, cheese, and some veggies. They can be much higher in calories, carbs, and fats than regular tacos and burritos. At Taco Bell, the Gordita (Spanish for “little fat one”) is wrapped in a thicker pita-style tortilla, which has 340 calories and 30 grams of carbs vs 200 calories and 15 grams of carbs in a regular crunchy taco. Avoid items with mega, grande, double-decker or supreme in their names – you will usually end up with at least 100 more calories per serving than the regular version. Familiarize yourself with descriptions of entrees before you order, as this way you can avoid extra calories and carbs. The Icing on the Taco Toppings at Mexican resta Continue reading >>
28 Popular Restaurant Dishes That Are Great For Diabetics
Dining out with diabetes Contrary to popular belief, a diabetes diagnosis doesn't mean you have to spend your days eating flavorless fare. It's completely possible to enjoy delicious food—even at a restaurant, as long as you know exactly what to order, how it's prepared, and what an appropriately sized portion looks like. Since not everyone with diabetes has the same meal plan or health goals, we set out to create the most comprehensive list of diabetes-friendly restaurant dishes, whether you're cutting calories or keeping salt, carbs, or fats to a minimum. Read on for nutritionist-approved orders from Chinese and Italian restaurants, delis, smoothie shops, and other popular eateries. Plus, don't forget to be on the lookout for these menu words to avoid. At American restaurants: Turkey burger with steamed broccoli When you're dining at your local sports bar or diner, Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, says that a turkey burger is the way to go. "Remove the top bun, which doesn't typically contain much fiber and swap fries for a green veggie. This will add fiber to your meal and help slow blood sugar spikes and promote satiety," she explains. Here's how to get more fiber in your diet. At American restaurants: Beef burger with a salad If you prefer a beef burger, Smith suggests pairing one with a salad (sorry, no fries) and a vinegar-based dressing on the side. Ditch the top bun to keep empty carbs off your plate and say "no thanks" to cheese to keep excess salt and fat to a minimum. At American restaurants: Filet mignon Feeling fancy? Order a filet with a sweet potato and side of non-starchy vegetables such as spinach or broccoli, suggests Miriam Jacobson, RD, CDN. "Sometimes a steak can be the healthiest item on the menu. Just beware of portion sizes. It should be the size of Continue reading >>
Healthy Mexican: 6 Ways To Eat Healthy Mexican Food
February 19, 2013 by Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurants mgmt The beauty of Mexican food is that it incorporates various pungent flavors. From beans to vegetables, there are a variety of ways to mix it up for a healthy Mexican meal thats still tasty. When thinking about a healthy Mexican dish, many may consider it impossible because of fried tortillas, heavy cheeses, and appetizing sour cream on the side. However, there are alternative options for creating a healthy Mexican meal. With simple substitutions and thoughtful meal selection, eating healthy Mexican food is easier than you think! The first step to making healthy Mexican food is utilizing the power of avocados. Substituting toppers such as cheese and sour cream for guacamole is a healthy Mexican way to enjoy bursting flavors of Mexico. Guacamole is made from a healthy fat thatdoesntrack up too many calories. Dont underestimate the fibers in beans and vegetables when deciding to eat a healthy Mexican meal. These beneficial foods can be used as substitutes in a variety of delicious dishes to create a healthier Mexican dish. For instance, a bean burrito is a healthy Mexican substitution for a beef and cheese burrito. The following article from About explains ways to transform a calorie-loaded dish into healthy Mexican cuisine. Make Healthy Choices at Mexican Restaurants Mexican restaurants get a bad rap thanks to ever-present chips, cheese and high-calorie drinks being on offer, but the fact is, Mexican foodcanbe a do when youre dieting! By learning a few simple rules, youll always know what to saysito and make healthy choices at Mexican restaurants. When in doubt, choose an item that includes soft tortillas. Soft tortillas are baked while crunchy shells are fried. Choosing soft tortillas over crunchy ones can easily Continue reading >>
How To Eat Healthy In A Mexican Restaurant
Americans love Mexican food. We gobble down more tortilla chips than potato chips, more salsa than ketchup. The good news is that authentic Mexican food can be very healthy, even reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s great if you’re making homemade cook-from-scratch Mexican. But what if you’re eating out or ordering in? Mexican restaurants tend to serve some of the most fat-filled, salt-stuffed, calorie-crammed food in the restaurant universe. Can you eat at one and avoid the health bombs…eat smart and still enjoy yourself? Yes, you can—and we’ve got you covered. Hope Warshaw, RD, CDE, immediate past president of the American Association of Diabetes Educators—and a member of Bottom Line’s Diabetes Resource Center panel of experts—has literally written the book on healthy eating out. It’s called Eat Out, Eat Well: The Guide to Eating Healthy in Any Restaurant and is published by the American Diabetes Association. It contains great advice for people who want to prevent diabetes or manage the condition—and for everyone else who wants to eat healthy when someone else is doing the cooking. In the excerpt below, Warshaw gives her tips on what to order the next time you decide to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Olé! On the Menu: Mexican Restaurants Mexican food in the US has a rich history. Historically, most Mexican restaurants served a sub-cuisine known as Tex-Mex—an Americanized version of a few items from Mexico’s diverse culinary landscape. Tex-Mex dishes include nachos, tacos, burritos, and chimichangas. But over the past decade or so, things have changed. Traditional Mexican herbs and spices are now readily available in the US and chefs are increasingly exploring and using these bold flavors. Plus, Mexican-Americans, who make u Continue reading >>
Surprising Diabetic Mexican Recipes & Other Ethnic Foods You Can Eat Guilt-free
Diabetic Living / Diabetic Recipes / Mexican Surprising Diabetic Mexican Recipes & Other Ethnic Foods You Can Eat Guilt-Free If you love Mexican-style and ethnic food, then dont miss this delicious collection of dinner, appetizer, and dessert recipes that will delight your taste buds and keep your blood sugar in check. Enjoy flavorful pork tacos that come together easily and feature a citrusy kick from orange juice, which caramelizes the meat. Tender, juicy, and carb-friendly, this family-favorite recipe boasts just 38 grams of carb per serving. Popular Diabetic Recipes , Diabetes Recipes , Diabetic Meals Put an exclamation mark on dinner with creamy low-carb custards that require little effort for big flavor. Simply combine ingredients, heat, stir, and chill for 5 to 24 hours. Now thats a dessert worth waiting for. Popular Diabetic Recipes , Diabetes Recipes , Diabetic Meals These three low-carb breakfast-inspired variations on polenta offer delicious results. Using a slow cooker makes it easy to cook for a crowd. Popular Diabetic Recipes , Diabetes Recipes , Diabetic Meals Mexican Shredded-Beef Soup with Stuffed Mini Peppers This diabetes-friendly soup tastes as good as it looks! Packed with protein and vitamins, every bite pops with flavor. The pice de rsistance are the mini stuffed peppers that feature queso fresco and mozzarella cheeses. Popular Diabetic Recipes , Diabetes Recipes , Diabetic Meals This easy comfort food favorite is a weeknight winner. Toss the five simple ingredients into a slow cooker and simmer them to perfection. Your family will love the cheesy and hearty meal, and youll love the 23 grams of carb per serving. Popular Diabetic Recipes , Diabetes Recipes , Diabetic Meals Diabetic snack ideas can get boring and redundant. This low-carb flavorful Continue reading >>
How Can I Eat Healthy At Mexican Restaurants If I Have Diabetes?
Beans, rice, tortillas, and chips are the most common foods that contain carbohydrates in the Mexican diet. Restaurants may “double-wrap” and serve tacos or burritos with two tortillas as opposed to one, so be aware that you may need to double your estimate of carbohydrate intake. Especially with tortillas, it’s easy to forget how many we eat with each meal, so remember to keep count! Tortillas come in lots of different sizes, but one 6-inch corn tortilla will provide 11 carbohydrates. As at any restaurant, seek out vegetables and lean protein sources that have been cooked with little added oils or frying. If you have diabetes, at Mexican restaurants try to limit the chips you eat to a handful. If that's hard, ask your server to take the basket away. Lower-fat choices are fajitas and soft tacos stuffed with chicken, beef, or seafood, and loaded with vegetables. Hold the cheese and sour cream or ask for them on the side. Smaller portions of Mexican rice, black or pinto beans, and salsa are good sides. Continue reading >>
Eating Out With Diabetes: 12 Tips For Mexican Restaurants
Tortillas, rice, and beans—why so many carbs? Carbohydrates are a necessary part of the diet, but too many carbohydrates can spell trouble for someone with diabetes. The trick to Mexican dining is mastering portion sizes and being savvy with your carb choices. These tips from nutritionist Sharon Richter, RD, make partaking in Taco Tuesday with diabetes a little easier. Order tequila instead of a margarita. If you’re planning to imbibe, plain tequila on the rocks will complement your tacos nicely without loading you up with sweets. Avoid anything deep-fried. That includes tortilla chips. Ask your server if you can have vegetables (like jicama, radishes, or bell pepper) to dip in your salsa or guac instead. Choose your carb. Many Mexican dishes come with multiple sources of carbs, so pick one and stick to it, whether it’s a tortilla, rice, or beans. (If you’re eating a vegetarian entree, the beans will count as your protein rather than your carb.) Don’t fear the guac. Yes, guacamole is high in fat, but it’s the good-for-you, monounsaturated fat found in avocado. Add about half a cup of this to your dish for a rich flavor boost that’s easier on the arteries than cheese, which contains saturated fat. Split a splurgy appetizer among everyone at the table if you’re craving something that is a little heavy, like a quesadilla. Make ceviche your go-to app. It’s a light and refreshing seafood dish with citrus and other seasoning. Avoid sugary sauces like mole. Say no to burritos. Mission-style burritos are tortillas packed with beans, rice, and some type of protein (i.e. a LOT of carbs). Look for a taco salad. But skip the deep-fried shell or crunchy bits of tortilla that might be sprinkled on top. Try fajitas. In many Mexican restaurants, you will get to assemb Continue reading >>
Diabetes-friendly Foods From Around The World
Thinkstock Global cuisines offer a new way to prepare diabetes-friendly meals if you know what to eat and what to avoid. For example, some of the spices in ethnic foods, such as turmeric, might help improve the health of people with type 2 diabetes. Turmeric appears to have anti-inflammatory properties via a substance called curcumin that may counter metabolic diseases, including diabetes, according to research in the September 2015 issue of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology. Whether eating a favorite family dish or trying a new cuisine, you can apply the same nutrition strategies you learn from a diabetes educator or dietitian to all your meals — and doing so could lead to a 1 to 2 point drop in HbA1c, according to a review of data published in February 2014 in the Journal of Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Obesity. “Make half of your plate vegetables, one-quarter of your plate lean meat, and one-quarter a whole-grain or high-fiber carbohydrate,” says Shannon Weston, MPH, RD, a certified diabetes educator at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. Here’s how to find diabetes-friendly choices for some popular cuisines: Italian Food Italian options include salads, lean meats, and a variety of vegetables, Weston says. Watch out for heavy cream-based sauces, cheeses, oils, deep-dish or thick-crust pizza, breaded meats, and pasta dishes “stuffed with high-fat meats and cheeses,” she says. If you’re cooking at home or asking for changes to a restaurant meal, try these strategies: Use grated cauliflower as a crust instead of a flour crust to make a pizza and layer on the vegetables and lean meats. Use spaghetti squash or zucchini “noodles” cut with a spiralizer or a peeler in place of pasta. Choose homemade marinara instead of Alf Continue reading >>
Healthy Meals At Any Mexican Restaurant | Eat This Not That
Healthy Meals You Can Order at Any Mexican Restaurant Refills of chips keep getting dropped on the table, margaritas are flowing like waterfalls and mounds of rice are piled sky-high on everyones plate. No, this isnt the opening scene of the latest Chili's commercial, this is what its actually like dining at a Mexican restaurantand its every dieters nightmare. But dining at a Mexican joint doesnt have to be stressful or overindulgent. Most local spots have plenty of healthful options that can help you reach your weight loss goalyou just have to know what to ask for. To help you get in the know we asked seven diet experts what they order at their favorite Mexican hot spots. All of their suggestions are widely available, will leave you satisfied and wont ruin a weeks worth of your calorie cutbacks. Here, all of their go-to RD-approved appetizers, drink and entres orders. For an appetizer or a dish for the table to share, guacamole is a favorite. Avocados are packed with heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory nutrients and its fat content can help quell pre-dinner hunger pangs. Instead of dipping chips in your guac, ask for some cut vegetables. This adds healthy nutrients to your meal while saving calories. Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition It could just be my love of anything with avocados, but in my eyes, few things beat a bowl of authentic tortilla soup. It's nourishing, comforting and satisfyingbut doesnt carry a lot of calories. Its perfect for a light meal or appetizer. Marisa Moore, RDN of Marisa Moore Nutrition If Im going to indulge in a drink at a Mexican restaurant, its going to be tequila served either straight up or on the rocks with lime. Both orders are clean, refreshing and free of sugar-packed additives. Da Continue reading >>
How To Eat Healthy At A Mexican Restaurant
How to Eat Healthy at a Mexican Restaurant How to Eat Healthy at a Mexican Restaurant The Best Low-Calorie Mexican Food Choices Believe it or not, it is possible to learn how to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant. Tex-Mex food gets a bad rap thanks to high-calorie chips, entrees full of cheese, and high-calorie drinks. But the best low-calorie Mexican food choices are usually the ones filled with the most flavor. You Just have to know how to find them. By learning a few simple rules, you'll learn how to find low-calorie Mexican foodon any menu. And remember that you can also make healthy Mexican food at home . So get ready to add some spicy flare to your weight loss diet. Mexican food is back on the menu. Skip the crunchycalories. Avoid crunchy Mexican food. It's fried and full of fat. Ask your waiter not to bring pre-meal chips and salsa. Then when you choose your entree, select an item that includes soft tortillas. Soft tortillas are baked, not fried. Choosing soft tortillas over crunchy ones can easily save a few hundred calories. Savor the salsa. If you simply love the pre-meal chips (or if your dining companion wants them on the table) ask for a soft tortilla instead and spread it with salsa. Then fold it up and eats it like a taquito. Or you can tear it into small bits to dip into fresh salsa. Choose healthy Mexican beans. Black beans are an excellent choice for most any dieter. They are low in fat , high in protein and provide plenty of fiber . They get a thumbs up as a low-calorie Mexican food. But avoid ordering the black beans and rice combo if you're a low-carb dieter. Refried beans may sound like a good choice, but they are often prepared with lard, Mexican cheese blends, and even bacon. The calorie and fat count of this side dish is too high. Pinto beans Continue reading >>
Tips For Dining Out With Diabetes
CONTRAVE® (naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCl) is a prescription weight-loss medicine that may help adults with obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2), or who are overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2) with at least one weight-related medical condition, lose weight and keep the weight off. CONTRAVE should be used along with diet and exercise. One of the ingredients in CONTRAVE, bupropion, may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in children, adolescents, and young adults. CONTRAVE patients should be monitored for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In patients taking bupropion for smoking cessation, serious neuropsychiatric adverse events have been reported. CONTRAVE is not approved for use in children under the age of 18. Stop taking CONTRAVE and call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempts to commit suicide; depression; anxiety; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); irritability; aggression, anger, or violence; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Do not take CONTRAVE if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have or have had seizures; use other medicines that contain bupropion such as WELLBUTRIN, APLENZIN or ZYBAN; have or have had an eating disorder; are dependent on opioid pain medicines or use medicines to help stop taking opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine, or are in opiate withdrawal; drink a lot of alcohol and abruptly stop drinking; are allergic to any of the ingredients in CONTRAVE; or are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Before taking CONTRAVE, tell your healthcare provider ab Continue reading >>
Eating At Restaurants With Diabetes
How to keep your blood sugar in check when dining out. By the dLife Editors Going out to eat is fraught with challenges for people who need to watch their blood sugar. There’s the giant portion size issue, the unknown ingredients, and the “special-occasion effect.” That’s the way we tell ourselves it’s ok to make unhealthy choices on special occasions. Our idea of what constitutes a special occasion is pretty subjective. Here are some tips on making d-friendly choices in restaurants, by type of cuisine. What to Order at Italian Restaurants Italian restaurants can be full of high-carbohydrate foods like bread, pasta, pizza, risotto, and gnocci. Many of these combine refined carbs with processed meats like sausage and pepperoni, and batters or breading (think eggplant Parmesan or fried mozzarella). Things you can do: Ask your server to skip the bread basket for your table. If you’re going to splurge and have pasta, ask for it as a side dish and don’t eat more than the size of your fist. That’s one cup of pasta, or about 45 grams of carbohydrate. Order unbreaded chicken or veal baked with sauces like piccata, marsala, puttanesca, francese, or cacciatore. Other good choices include: Caesar salad with grilled or baked fish, escarole and beans, and minestrone soup. What to Order at Mexican Restaurants Mexican food can be full of carbohydrates with large portions of rice, beans, and tortillas. Things you can do: At the very least, limit portion sizes. Ask to have half your plate wrapped to go before you even start eating. Skip the rice; ask for black beans or salad in its place. If you love chips and salsa, take a handful and then ask for the basket to be removed from the table. Order soft chicken or fish tacos and eat the fillings with a fork, skipping the tor Continue reading >>
13 Easy & Healthy Mexican Recipes
Our Best Low-Carb Recipes: 30 Low-Carb Dinner Recipes, Desserts, and More Eating healthy has never tasted so good with this FREE eCookbook. From low-carb breakfast recipes to low-carb dinners and even low-carb desserts, you'll be able to stick to your healthy eating lifestyle with ease! Bonus: Get our newsletter & special offers for free. We will not share or sell your email address. View our Privacy Policy Home > Editor's Picks > 13 Easy & Healthy Mexican Recipes You must be logged in to add a private note. Login | Register We are adding the recipe to your Recipe Box. You must be logged in to add a recipe. Login | Register This collection of easy Mexican food recipes includes all your restaurant favorites. What's even better is that we've transformed these13must-make Mexican meals into healthy Mexican recipes that fit into a diabetic lifestyle.From our totally fresh Quick Step Salsa recipe to our lightened-up Chicken 'n' Cheddar Quesadillas, you'll enjoy all the flavors of classic Mexican food recipes. We've even put an American twist on some of these healthy Mexican recipes, just check out our Fiesta Meat Loaf or our Mexican Spaghetti Casserole. From great tasting salads and soup, to quesadillas and casseroles, we've got plenty of healthy Mexican recipes for you and your family to enjoy. And don't miss our newrecipe, Chicken Taco Bake ! Continue reading >>
