Watching calories while eating out? The good news is in today's restaurants you have plenty of options! Here are a few tips from the National Restaurant Association on how to make the most of your dining-out experience.
By Sheila Weiss, R.D.

• Even before going out to eat, identify healthier choices at all kinds of restaurants and view corresponding nutrition information at HealthyDiningFinder.com.

• Order salad dressings and other sauces on the side. This way, you have control over how much or how little you add.

• When ordering grilled fish or vegetables, ask that the food either be grilled without butter or oil, or prepared "light," with little oil or butter.

• When ordering pasta dishes, look for tomato-based sauces rather than cream-based sauces. Tomato-based sauces are much lower in fat and calories. In addition, the tomato sauce (or marinara sauce) can count as a vegetable!

• Drink water, diet soda, or unsweetened tea or coffee instead of regular soda or alcoholic beverages. This will save a lot of calories each day.

• Share a dessert with a friend. Half the dessert equals half the calories.

• Share an appetizer. Same rule as above applies.

• When choosing a soup, keep in mind that cream-based soups are higher in fat and calories than most other soups. Soup can serve as a great appetizer to a meal, or as an entree. Most soups are low in calories and will fill you up, so you eat less.

• Order steamed vegetables as a side dish instead of starch.

• Ask for salsa with a baked potato instead of sour cream, butter, cheese, or bacon. Salsa is very low in calories and a healthy alternative with a lot of spice.

• Stop eating when you are full — listen to the cues your body gives you.

• Order sandwiches with mustard rather than mayonnaise or "special sauce." Mustard adds flavor with virtually no calories.

• Take half of your meal home. The second half can serve as a second meal! (Two meals for the price of one: What a deal!)

• If you want to eat less, order two appetizers, or an appetizer and a salad, as your meal.

• If you have a choice of side dishes, opt for baked potato or steamed vegetables rather than french fries. Even if choices are not listed, ask your server to substitute vegetables or a baked potato for french fries.

• Look for items on the menu that are baked, grilled, dry-sauteed, broiled, poached, or steamed. These cooking techniques use less fat in the food preparation and are generally lower in calories.

• Don't be afraid to ask for special low-calorie or low-fat preparation of a menu item. The restaurant industry is one of hospitality and customer choice. We aim to please.

• Plain bread or yeast rolls are relatively low in fat and calories. It's the butter and oil you add that increases the fat and calories.

• Select entrees with fruits and vegetables as key ingredients. Enjoy the flavors they offer. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of dietary fiber as well as of many vitamins and minerals.

• Choose foods made with whole grains. Examples include whole-wheat bread and dishes made with brown rice.

• Enjoy foods that are flavored with fresh herbs rather than fats such as oil and butter. Herbs add a unique flavor to any dish!

• If you are craving dessert, opt for something low-fat, like sorbet, fresh berries or fruit.

• Remember, don't deprive yourself of the foods you love. All foods can fit into a well-balanced diet.