My Weight Loss Coach Friend Told Me These 4 Restaurant Mistakes – And They Changed Everything
Let’s be real – losing weight is hard enough without restaurants sabotaging you. I should know. After struggling for years, I finally dropped 9 kilos last year. And the biggest surprise? You can actually eat out without wrecking your progress. But here’s the thing most people get wrong…
It’s not about willpower. It’s about working smarter. And avoiding these 4 stupid mistakes I used to make every single time.
Mistake #1: Showing Up Thirsty (Literally)
Here’s what happens: You sit down starving, demolish three bread rolls before the menu arrives, and suddenly that 1,000-calorie pasta seems reasonable. Been there.
But my coach gave me this weird trick that actually works: drink water first. Like, a lot of it. There’s science behind this – some study found it cuts calories by 13%. Who knew?
What I do now:
- Chug a glass while waiting to be seated (the waiter probably thinks I’m weird)
- Ask for lemon – makes it feel fancy somehow
Fun fact: That “water dilutes stomach acid” thing? Total myth. My nutritionist laughed when I asked.
Mistake #2: Going Out Hungry Enough to Eat a Cow
This was my biggest fail. I’d skip lunch to “save calories” for dinner, then end up ordering fried everything plus dessert. Classic.
Now? I eat a small protein snack about an hour before. Game changer. My favorites:
- A handful of almonds (the roasted ones from this little shop near my place)
- Greek yogurt with cinnamon – sounds boring but keeps me from ordering stupid
Weird test: If you wouldn’t eat plain steamed broccoli right now, you’re too hungry to make good choices. Learned that the hard way.
Mistake #3: Being Too Shy to Ask for Changes
Newsflash: Restaurants expect special requests! My cousin works in a fancy Mumbai restaurant and says 8 out of 10 orders have modifications.
Some easy swaps I’ve gotten used to asking for:
- “Can I get veggies instead of fries?” (They never say no)
- Dressing on the side – this one saves like 200 calories instantly
- Grilled instead of fried – works for fish, chicken, you name it
My go-to line: “I’d love the salad but could we do the dressing separate?” Said nicely, they never mind.
Mistake #4: Starting with Alcohol or Sugary Drinks
Calorie bomb alert! That one cocktail can have more calories than your entire meal. Plus – and this is the sneaky part – it makes you care less about what you eat.
What I order now:
- Sparkling water with lime (feels like a drink but isn’t)
- Black coffee if it’s brunch – caffeine actually helps
- If I really want alcohol, wine spritzers cut the calories in half
Pro move: Every alcoholic drink gets followed by water. Slows you down and prevents hangovers. Win-win.
Bonus Tricks That Actually Work
- Eat slower: It takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize you’re full. I time myself sometimes.
- Box half immediately: American portions are insane. I ask for a box when the food arrives and put half away.
- Protein is king: I always look for dishes with eggs, chicken, or paneer – keeps me full way longer than carbs.
Bottom line: Drink water before eating, don’t arrive starving, customize your order, and skip the fancy drinks. Small changes, big difference.
You don’t have to give up restaurants – just stop making the mistakes I did. Which one of these are you guilty of? Tell me in the comments!
Source: Hindustan Times – Health