With the recent concerns of overhauling the healthcare system, attention has turned to obesity which consumes a large percentage of healthcare dollars. Susan B. Roberts has written The Instinct Diet which talks about the “Restaurant Syndrome.” Essentially it is: 1. Eat out. 2. Eat too much. 3. Feel bad. 4. Repeat.
(Did You Know? Despite more restaurants listing nutritional and caloric values of their foods, there is legislation for every restaurant chain larger than twenty to display this information. Eat This, Not That, a book by David Zinczenko gives great nutritional information about restaurants.)
Dr. Roberts gives five ways to fight the “Restaurant Syndrome.”
1. Eat out less frequently even if going out.
2. Never arrive starving. Snack before leaving.
3. Micromanage your order. Order dressings and sauces on the side.
4. Take control over the signals your eyes and nose send to your brain. Have the waitress remove bread or other food to avoid overeating.
5. Nip negative cycles. If you do have an indulgent evening, start the next day with a bowl of high-fiber cereal.
Overall, the more you eat out, the more you are likely to carry excess weight. So eating at home will not only save you money, but it may improve your weight and health.