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No matter how healthy your diet is, it’s nearly impossible to avoid eating out at restaurants. And who’d want to? Going out to eat is one of the best times to get together with friends and family and enjoy delicious food. But how often have you eaten out only to leave the restaurant feeling like you needed to let the belt out a few notches? No one likes that overly-stuffed feeling in their bellies! With just a few simple tips, you can enjoy the occasional meal out without a damaging blow to your waistline.

1. Don’t Leave Hungry - One of the most important things to do, before you even leave for the restaurant, is to make sure you’re not starving. If you head out hungry, you’ll be much more likely to do serious damage at the restaurant. Chances are you’ll order more food to compensate. Before you leave, drink a full glass of water. You might also want to munch on some raw veggies like carrots, celery or broccoli, depending on how hungry you are. Instead of spoiling your appetite, it will actually ensure that you get a serving or two of vegetables!

2. Drink Up – Once you arrive at the restaurant you’ll save a few hundred calories or more, by ordering water instead of soda, juice or alcohol. Water will help fill you up without all the calories. Not only is water healthier, it’s also free. So if you’re on a budget, it’s the way to go. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try squeezing lemon or lime into the water. The extra bit of flavor will go a long way.

3. Half It – It’s no secret that restaurant portions are way too big. A typical meal out is usually at least two servings. This means that if you eat the whole dish, you’re probably consuming far too many calories for one meal. When you order your food, ask the waiter to place half the dish in a to-go box. This way you can make two tasty meals from one dish.

4. Don’t Get Distracted – Going out to eat usually means chatting away with friends or family. Sometimes the distraction of eating in good company means that we reach for food without knowing how much we’re really putting into our bodies. Appetizers and shared desserts are often the culprit here. Make an effort to look at the food on the table and decide how much you will eat before you dig in. Don’t be afraid to portion appetizers or group desserts on your plate so that you know exactly how much you’ve eaten.

5. Know Your Food - If you’re trying to avoid a total calorie bomb when you eat out, then there are some foods on the menu that you know you should not order – no matter how tasty they may be. For example, anything fried or made with a cream-based sauce would probably top your do-not-order list. Or if you do feel like ordering a splurge item, you may want to divide it into thirds and fill up on healthier foods like fruits and veggies.

Don’t be shy – ask the server about methods of food preparation. A side order of veggies may seem like a good idea, but if they’ve been cooked in butter, you might want to reconsider or ask about healthier cooking alternatives.

6. On The Side - Always ask for sauces, dips and dressings on the side. Often these toppings are laden with extra fat and calories. And to make matters worse, restaurants use lots of it! Having them off to the side allows you to still enjoy them, but in moderation.