Cooking your own food is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re sticking with to healthy eating habits. However, committing to a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean flipping the off switch of your social life. After all, making healthy choices at a restaurant is completely doable. Here are some of the best tips on how you can make healthy food decisions when you dine out.

1. Dine at the Right Restaurant

Be an active participant when it comes to choosing a restaurant by finding diners in Singapore that also serve healthier options. Use mobile apps like Yelp or Foursquare to look for quality restaurants that specialize in serving healthy food options. List down your top three and recommend it to your friends. With this, you’re guaranteed that you’ll have healthy options available regardless of which one is chosen.

2. Ask About the Diner’s Specials

Unless you dictate where your clique will go all the time, you won’t be able to choose a restaurant with the healthier food options, so check your prospect restaurant’s menus in advance on their websites, and make a decision before you dine out. There will always be times when you’ll run from work to the diner your friend has chosen. So in case this happens, consider asking the waiter about their specials. Most of these meals focus on more seasonal ingredients, and are typically healthier choices than those listed on the menu.

3. Never Limit Yourself

The salad section on the menu is an ideal place to start, but there are also other options for healthier meals. Look for entrées with lean proteins like chicken, turkey or fish. Ditch the starchy sides, and opt for extra veggies instead. If you want, you can also try a burger wrapped in lettuce (minus the bun) for a healthier alternative to your regular burger.

4. Ditch Gluten and Dairy

For some, consuming gluten and dairy foods causes inflammation and often leads to an after-dinner bloat. Sure, asking for an extra cheese seems like a good idea but it won’t be of any help if you’re planning to stick with your healthy lifestyle. Instead, inquire about the restaurant’s gluten- and dairy-free meal options.

5. Be Wary of Certain Ingredients

There are certain ingredients on a menu that you be wary off. As much as possible, avoid consuming or ordering fried or salty foods that might contain MSG. Be cautious of the heavy cream ingredients that are often used in soups and salad dressings as well.

6. Opt for Healthier Drinks

When dining out, it’d be best for you to stick to lemon water, sparkling water or herbal tea. If alcohol is involved, opt for lighter drinks like red wine, light beer or a vodka soda. Steer clear from sugary drinks of the cocktail and soda variety if possible.

Sticking to your healthy lifestyle is possible even when you’re dining out. Just make sure that you keep these tips mind so that you get up from your dinner feeling happy and healthy at the same time.