Cheryl Forberg, RD. Biggest Loser Nutritionist

 
Dining out presents its own set of challenges when you're trying to eat healthy.  Just remember these tips for making whole grain choices:

• If you haven’t cut bread out of your diet completely, ask for whole grain rolls, crackers, tortillas (corn or whole wheat -- instead of white)
• Choose oatmeal or whole grain bagels for breakfast (over white bread or white bagels)
•  Ask for brown rice instead of white rice
•  Ask for whole grain pasta
•  Choose whole grains for your starch course when available instead of potatoes or white rice; (e.g. polenta, brown rice, wild rice, bulgur/Tabouleh

If enough customers are interested, you may be in for a surprise the next time you go back. Restaurants want to keep their customers happy and coming back -- make your desires known! Unless we request more nutritious whole grains when we dine out, refined grain products (white stuff) will likely remain the standard choice at most dining venues.