Bethenny Helps Us Make Healthier Choices at Restaurants

When it comes to eating at restaurants, Bethenny is always looking for ways to make healthier choices without sacrificing flavor. As discussed in her book, Naturally Thin, Bethenny has thought through the many ways to eat nutritious foods when dining out while still being able to enjoy yourself and the food you are eating.

For this article, Bethenny is sharing her go-to options at restaurants of varying cuisines.

Chinese Restaurants

Chinese restaurants are plentiful in New York City and finding the right combination of food can be tricky. One of Bethenny’s main tips is looking to vegetables that are steamed or sauteed, rather than fried. These foods include mu shu vegetables, sauteed string beans or broccoli, and steamed vegetable dumplings. You still get all the flavor through the rich spices without the heaviness of the dough and oil. The key is to stay light on the oil while packing in the veggies and choosing high protein, low-fat options such as shrimp or chicken for your soups, dumplings, and main dishes.

Italian Restaurants

While we all love a hearty bowl of pasta, there are ways to eat at Italian restaurants, while still making healthy choices, that will satisfy your tastebuds. One way to do this is to start with vegetables and soup before you indulge in pasta. Try foods like tricolor or arugula salad, leaving off the parmesan, or sauteed broccoli rabe and mushrooms. Options like grilled vegetables and minestrone soup are a tasty first course, as well. Italian cuisine includes many main dishes, like grilled or roasted fish, seafood, and chicken, that can be chosen as an alternative to pasta. However, if pasta is what you are looking for, a tip Bethenny has is to ask for a half order loaded with vegetables, so it is higher in fiber and volume, and request oil instead of butter. Of course, if dessert is a must for you, Bethenny suggests ordering berries with zabaglione.

Mexican Restaurants

Continuing with Mexican cuisine, a lot of the same tips apply. Start off by ordering guacamole and salsa if you’d like but opt for soft tortillas rather than fried chips. For main courses, instead of ordering enchiladas, some great options are fajitas or vegetable tacos with beans, avocado, and salsa, instead of sour cream. Black beans are a great source of protein and fiber and help keep you full. Mexican restaurants are known for their tequila, so why not indulge! Bethenny suggests ordering tequila on the rocks with a splash of a frozen drink. While they may look at you like you’re crazy, it is a great way to enjoy yourself without going overboard.

Thai, Indian, and Japanese Restaurants

For Thai, Indian, or Japanese food, the same ideas apply. Try going for a chana masala or baingan bharta without ghee or cream, Tandoori chicken, and simple rice. Here you are prioritizing the flavor without the extra fats. With Thai food, look to sauteed shrimp or chicken in basil sauce, summer rolls, and steamed vegetable dumplings. When it comes to sushi, minimize the sushi rice as it has a lot of added sugar and avoid tempura.

Overall, if you can control portions, you should be able to have whatever you want. If you tend to indulge, then you may want to reduce fats and calories. A good strategy across all cuisines is to eat high-volume foods first so that you eat less of the more caloric foods. Bethenny likes to have a little of everything, so it is important to get to know your food personality so you can make healthier choices while still enjoying yourself at restaurants.

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