If you’re on a diet, but you still want to go out to dinner, here are some tips for eating out the healthy way so you won’t sabotage all of your hard work:

• Have sauces served on the side.

• Choose light salad dressings or vinaigrettes, served on the side.

• Go for foods that are baked, broiled, roasted, grilled, or any preparation other than fried.

• Select broth-based soups.

• Have tomato or vegetable toppings on pasta.

• Go easy on the cheese.

• Limit bread, chips, or whatever is in the basket while you wait for your meal.

• Order fresh fruit or fruit sorbet for dessert.

• Choose grilled chicken or lean meat sandwiches.

• Hold the french fries or substitute with a side salad (dressing on the side)

• Skip the casseroles unless you know exactly what they contain.

• Choose simply prepared foods without lots of extra ingredients and calories.

• Enjoy as many simply prepared vegetables as you like.

• Keep portions small.

• Avoid mindless hand-to-mouth eating.

• Enjoy a salad and an appetizer in place of an entrée.

• Take home half of your entrée for tomorrow's lunch.

*source MedicineNet.com