This past summer I had an amazing meal sitting outside at a restaurant along the shores of Lake Washington.  It was a beautiful evening and I started with a spinach strawberry salad that also had red onions, goat cheese, and candied almonds.  It was so satisfying and filling I really could not even eat much of the small plate foods that we ordered.  I created the same salad numerous times at home to eat during the summer.

• Skip bread
• Start with a salad
• Read the menu carefully or better yet review it online so you can make a healthy choice
• Ask questions about food preparations
• Order all sauces/dressings on the side
• Request a veggie instead of fries
• Opt for broiled fish or roasted/broiled/chicken without skin
• Split a large entrée with a friend or have two appetizers instead of an entrée
• Eat half of a large entrée and take the other half home for the next day
• If you want dessert split it (the more forks the better)

(Small Change dining out tips from Keri Gans, RD)