It’s time to toss out that food guilt when it comes to ordering out! Sometimes, we’re just busy and we don’t have time to cook at home. So rather than feeling guilty for ordering take out, let’s reframe our mindset and think about how we can, instead, make it healthy-ish!
Add – not take away
As us registered dietitians like to say, it’s about adding, not taking away. Adding what you may ask? Fruits and vegetables of course! Rather than skipping the fries for steamed veggies, why not have both? Instead of ordering a salad when you’re craving a pizza, why not add peppers and mushrooms to your pizza? Not only will you get to enjoy your favorite foods, you’ll also be one step closer to meeting the daily recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake!
Follow MyPlate
USDA’s MyPlate is a great visual representation of what a balanced meal should look like – ½ plate fruits and vegetables, ¼ plate grains, and ¼ plate protein. When ordering out, it’s easy to forget about that ½ plate fruits and veggies, so try to keep this top of mind! Filling up half your plate with low-calorie, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables will help you with weight management, blood sugar management, and ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need to support a healthy body. Ordering spaghetti with meatballs? Remember to add a fresh garden salad or (my fav!) roasted veggies!
So remember, you don’t always have to cook at home to get in those fruits and vegetables. Look for those little opportunities where you can have a plant! For more tips, follow the Healthy Living Team’s TikTok @healthylivingbygiant!
