Dining out is one of America's favorite pastimes. Done right, restaurant dining can be a delicious part of your enlightened lifestyle. Unfortunately, the large portions and high fat content of most restaurant food are packing pounds onto the population. The DietDesigns.com Restaurant Network is your ticket to eating out without the downside.

To use the Restaurant Network, follow two simple steps:
  1. Browse or search for the menu of your destination.
    • Our Southern California restaurants are courtesy of Healthy-Dining.com. Our alliance with this savvy site allows you to preview an extensive array of SoCal menus complete with nutritional analyses to guide your good choices.

    • NEW! National chain restaurants. Our Diet Designs menu recommendations steer you to the dishes to order at these popular establishments.
  2. Follow our Designs for Dining Out to align your portions with your needs.



  • Say no to the breadbasket; better yet, move it off the table.
  • If you have a glass of wine, count it as a snack.
  • Order everything prepared without butter, oil, mayonnaise, or cream.
  • Skip fried foods, cream-based soups and sauces, and cheese sauces.
  • Don't add butter or oil at the table.
  • Bring your own fat-free salad dressing or ask the kitchen to mix you one from balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and black pepper.
  • When ordering chicken or turkey, ask for skinless white meat.
  • To keep your portion sizes under control,
    • split an appetizer with a companion as your first course and order an appetizer portion as your entrée
    • split your entrée with a companion, or
    • have your order split in the kitchen; ask your waiter to wrap up the other half and take it home for lunch tomorrow.
  • Appetizers: If you have a first course containing poultry or seafood, choose a vegetarian entrée. (No appetizers at lunch except as your main course.)
  • Sandwiches: Order open faced or have half. Add lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mustard as you like; no mayonnaise, special sauce, or cheese.
  • Burgers: Order a small single burger and follow the sandwich guidelines for condiments.
  • Mexican dishes: No cheese, sour cream, fried tostadas, or chips; you may add 1 tablespoon guacamole.
  • Dessert: If you like, finish your meal with fresh fruit, sorbet, or a lowfat cappuccino and count it as a snack. (No dessert at lunch.)
  • Call ahead if you have an unusual special order.
  • Feel free to ask questions and make requests. You're paying for a service and you deserve the best!





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