Stay Healthy While Eating Out in ALX
I love to dine at my favorite restaurants in Alexandria. We have so many to choose from! Sometimes though, I feel overwhelmed by the variety of restaurants and the menu options. What choices will be delicious (everything!) while also fueling my body and keeping me on my path to ultimate wellness?
Enjoy eating out at a breakfast meeting, a power lunch, a dinner date, or even a girls’ night out with my favorite restaurant-eating tips. Let me know your favorites too!
BREAKFAST
Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, however, when breakfast means a muffin and a mocha latte, we are not setting ourselves up for success. Protein-forward is the name of the game for those of us now 40+.
Starting your day with a plate of protein is physiologically good for you, your muscles, and your bones. So try a protein-packed breakfast of eggs, fueling avocado fat, and scrumptious bacon. A note about bacon, which, like many fatty foods, gets a bad rap – bacon has protein, a range of B vitamins, crucial minerals, and is REAL food. It is delicious and can make you feel nice and full.
Amp up your protein-forward breakfast out with a brain-boosting, antioxidant-rich, matcha green tea at Junction Bakery, where I know that Noe Landini sources quality food.
LUNCH
At lunchtime, once again, protein is the star of the show. I’m a big fan of tacos. At home I eat them with cassava flour tortillas, yet when I’m out at Taqueria el Poblano or Los Tios Grill, I don’t stress if I choose their tacos with flour tortillas or even crispy fried tacos for a treat.
While some may avoid dairy, cheese is another excellent source of protein. I don’t shy away from it, but I do steer clear of dishes smothered in cheese. I opt for black beans over refried so I can enjoy their protein and fiber without the added fat and sodium. For an appetizer, try jicama instead of nachos to rein-in mindless munching. And don’t forget to keep those water refills coming!
DINNER
My dinner recommendations are much the same as lunch – protein takes center stage, along with good-for-you fats like avocado and olive oil, and yes, even healthy carbs. I tend to not cook fish at home, and I love the rockfish at Landini Brothers, so it’s a great opportunity to add it to my diet. I ask for it light on the garlic, and yes, I eat the potatoes.They are delicious!
If you’re tempted by a cocktail, I’m going to share my unpopular opinion and suggest you enjoy a glass of sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime instead. Alcohol takes a toll on our metabolism, weight, sleep quality, stress resilience, and, ultimately, our overall health.
Yet, if you are out for a special occasion, go for that glass of bubbly and enjoy the celebration. I contend that food guilt (and the stress that goes with it) is worse for our wellness than the actual food itself sometimes. And if your dinner companions decide to get dessert, consider choosing a sweet treat to share, or join them by opting for fresh berries to eliminate any concern about a blood sugar spike.
And one more note about dinner, try not to stay out too late. I like to be home by 9 PM so I can lean into all of my getting ready for bed habits.
Want to learn more about the best food choices for your body in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond? Join my Small Group Wellness Coaching where we learn the best ways to fuel your body along with the vital aspects of sleep, stress resilience, physical movement, and calendar management. Alongside a community of like-minded women, you’ll find the support to combat the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause like weight-gain, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Discover a powerful foundation for building lifelong wellness.
You can also learn more about what to eat in midlife at my free webinar What Should I Eat? Food as Fuel for Post-40 Women on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 12:30 – 1:15 PM ET where I’ll share:
The best foods to support our bodies during hormonal shifts
Why to let go of the myth about calories in vs. calories out
How worrying about food choices can actually make you gain weight
The ONE food that can help manage cravings and support healthy weight management