5 Tips to stave off the 5pm Calorie Killers.
1. Seafood Swap.
I love things dipped in batter as much as the next person but if you’re trying to be a little more health conscious trade the fried calamari for the half dozen oysters that frequently appear on happy hour menus.
At only 40 calories per oyster and high in protein and iron, oysters are a consistently better choice than deep fried calamari that also usually comes served with heavy side dipping sauces like tartar and “some red concoction”.
2. Mexican Stand-Off
A typical plate of nachos heaped sky high with cheese, sour cream, and pulled meats of varying delicious kinds that have been basking in salty sauces can send your cholesterol into overdrive. Instead opt for the appetizer size veggie or chicken quesadilla (but watch those toppings).
A typical 8 inch flour tortilla with diced chicken or vegetables and shredded lettuce won’t set you back more than a few hundred calories if you opt for salsa or fresh pico de gallo as your topping instead of sour cream and guac.
3. Menu Keywords
If you’re not sure exactly what to order or what will consist of a healthy vs. total calorie bomb snack (this can be trickier than it seems) look out for menu keywords that might tip you off.
Generally avoid anything described as: fried, smothered, loaded, crispy, heaping, or crunchy.
On the nice list: Baked, Seared, grilled, poached, steamed.
Read the full article on eating healthy while eating out and menu keywords here.
4. Share.
Decide in advance you’ll be sharing a few items with the group or your HH buddies and get the bill at the same time as your order so you aren’t tempted to keep ordering snacks as the cheap drinks flow.
5. Portion (and wallet) control.
Most happy hour deals get you in the door by offering outrageously cheap deals on food to get you to pile on those $5 pints. Some places in NYC will even throw in whole free mini pizzas with every drink you order (thank you Crocodile lounge). Don’t let the lure of free food get the better of you. You may be a broke college student or typical New Yorker living on a budget but this isn’t World War Z and you don’t need to eat as much as possible in one sitting just because it’s half price.
Keep in mind portion size consistent with your normal meal and instead of buying twice the amount for the same price do yourself a favor and eat a consistent portion while saving yourself some cash.
If you’re more worried about over doing the heavy beer rather than the cheap eats order a water every time you order a drink - not only will this keep you hydrated and minimize your hangover at work the next day (don’t be that guy in sunglasses) but the water will help keep you full and deter over indulging.
For more nutrition and health tips go to wildernutrition.com
1. Seafood Swap.
I love things dipped in batter as much as the next person but if you’re trying to be a little more health conscious trade the fried calamari for the half dozen oysters that frequently appear on happy hour menus.
At only 40 calories per oyster and high in protein and iron, oysters are a consistently better choice than deep fried calamari that also usually comes served with heavy side dipping sauces like tartar and “some red concoction”.
2. Mexican Stand-Off
A typical plate of nachos heaped sky high with cheese, sour cream, and pulled meats of varying delicious kinds that have been basking in salty sauces can send your cholesterol into overdrive. Instead opt for the appetizer size veggie or chicken quesadilla (but watch those toppings).
A typical 8 inch flour tortilla with diced chicken or vegetables and shredded lettuce won’t set you back more than a few hundred calories if you opt for salsa or fresh pico de gallo as your topping instead of sour cream and guac.
3. Menu Keywords
If you’re not sure exactly what to order or what will consist of a healthy vs. total calorie bomb snack (this can be trickier than it seems) look out for menu keywords that might tip you off.
Generally avoid anything described as: fried, smothered, loaded, crispy, heaping, or crunchy.
On the nice list: Baked, Seared, grilled, poached, steamed.
Read the full article on eating healthy while eating out and menu keywords here.
4. Share.
Decide in advance you’ll be sharing a few items with the group or your HH buddies and get the bill at the same time as your order so you aren’t tempted to keep ordering snacks as the cheap drinks flow.
5. Portion (and wallet) control.
Most happy hour deals get you in the door by offering outrageously cheap deals on food to get you to pile on those $5 pints. Some places in NYC will even throw in whole free mini pizzas with every drink you order (thank you Crocodile lounge). Don’t let the lure of free food get the better of you. You may be a broke college student or typical New Yorker living on a budget but this isn’t World War Z and you don’t need to eat as much as possible in one sitting just because it’s half price.
Keep in mind portion size consistent with your normal meal and instead of buying twice the amount for the same price do yourself a favor and eat a consistent portion while saving yourself some cash.
If you’re more worried about over doing the heavy beer rather than the cheap eats order a water every time you order a drink - not only will this keep you hydrated and minimize your hangover at work the next day (don’t be that guy in sunglasses) but the water will help keep you full and deter over indulging.
For more nutrition and health tips go to wildernutrition.com