It is easy to make unhealthy choices at restaurants.
To make food more appetizing and appealing to a wide audience, restaurants often add large amounts of fat, sugar, and unhealthy ingredients to their menu items.
In many cases, an item that would normally seem "healthy" is in fact just the opposite! When eating at restaurants, it is important to remember that many items on the menu may not be the best choices for your overall health.
By staying more aware of exactly what you consume at a restaurant, you can work to make healthy choices.

• Skip the soda.
  Most carbonated drinks contain copious amounts of sugar.
  In fact, one 12 oz.
  serving of a soft drink can contain up to 200 calories.
  At a restaurant, drink servings are usually much larger, and you may even refill your drink multiple times.
  Instead of a soda, choose water or unsweetened tea.
  Before choosing a diet soda, make sure that you are informed of the potential ill-effects of artificial sweeteners.
  If you do decide to order a soda, order a water as well and monitor how much soda you actually consume.
  
• Beware of salads.
  Instinctively, a salad seems like a healthy restaurant option.
  However, many restaurants soak their salads in high-fat dressing and add large portions of cheese, croutons, oil, and other unhealthy options.
  Before ordering the salad, evaluate the ingredients and determine if it really is a healthy option.
  When ordering, ask for the dressing on the side so that you can control the amount you consume.
  
• Monitor your portion size.
  Restaurants in the U.
  S.
  are known for providing large portions so that people feel they are getting a good deal for the money they have spent.
  However, sometimes a restaurant portion of food can be three to four times the serving a person actually needs! Learn to recognize what constitutes a proper serving size and be aware of the portion sizes at restaurants.
  Consider splitting a meal between two people, or taking your leftovers home for later.
  

By learning how to make small changes in your everyday eating habits, you are well on your way toward a healthier lifestyle.