I absolutely love eating out, but when you try to maintain a ‘clean eating’ regime, eating out can seem like a challenge. But do not fear, there are plenty of ways you can go out to restaurants, eat something really tasty, but still stay on track!

However if it’s a special occasion or you’ve really been looking forward to pigging out, I say go for it! I believe there should be no such thing as restriction, so if you want to eat out and go a little crazy every now and again, as part of a balanced healthy lifestyle- go for it.

But if you’re eating out quite regularly, or do so often for convenience, it can be detrimental to ‘go crazy’ every time. I’ve put together a few meals from chain restaurants that you may find useful next time you go out for dinner and want to maintain those abs!

Just before we get onto the chain restaurants, an important thing to remember when you’re eating out anywhere, is if in doubt go for a lean meat or fish, vegetables and good carbs like brown rice, new potatoes or sweet potatoes…and try to avoid things that are fried or drowned in oil!

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Pizza Express

The ‘Sounds-Healthy’ Option:

Starter: Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad…331 Cals / 9.5P / 30.3F / 5.3C

Main: Leggera Superfood Salad…453Cals / 14.0P / 27.4F / 32.6C

TOTAL: 784 calories / 23.5g protein / 57.7g fat / 37.9g carbs

The ‘Actually-Healthy’ Option:

Starter: Prosciutto Melone…124 Cals / 7.3P/ 9.2F / 3.5C

Main: Pollo ad Astra Leggera…486 Cals / 35.4P / 14.1F / 54.5C

TOTAL: 610 calories / 42.7g protein / 23.3 fat / 59g carbs

Turns out you are able to eat a pizza over a salad, still eat less calories, practically double up on protein and decrease fat by half….win win!

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Nandos

The ‘Sounds-Healthy’ Option:

Main: Double Chicken Wrap (Medium)… 716 Cals / 23.5F / 58.9C / 65.2P

Sides: Spicy Rice…453 Cals / 11.7F / 75.6C / 7.8P

Macho Peas… 336 Cals / 20.7F / 19.6C / 13.2P

TOTAL: 1505 calories / 86.2g protein / 55.9 fat / 154.1g carbs

The ‘Actually-Healthy’ Option:

Main: Double Chicken Pita (Medium)… 505 Cals / 8.1gF / 42.2C / 63.1P

Sides: Corn… 288 Cals/ 5F / 44C / 11P

Sweet Potato Wedges… 332 Cals/ 14.8F / 46.2C / 8.6P

TOTAL: 1125 calories / 82.7g protein / 27.9 fat / 132.4 carbs

The healthier option here is still pretty calorific, however it is a lot more substantial than a salad, and it is full of protein- keeping you nice and full! I would only recommend this as part of an active training regime.

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Wagamamas

The ‘Sounds-Healthy’ Option:

Main: Teriyaki Salmon Soba… 803 Cals / 45.3P / 68C / 37.5F

Starter/Side: Duck Lettuce Wrap….339 Cals / 15.3P / 1.9C / 67.4F

TOTAL: 1142 calories / 60.6g protein / 55.9 fat / 69.9g carbs

The ‘Actually-Healthy’ Option:

Main: Chilli Sirloin Steak Ramen… 665 cals/ 68P / 79.2C / 10.6F

Starter/Side: Edamame Beans…179 Cals / 13.4P / 7.4C / 6.2F

TOTAL: 844 calories / 81.4g protein / 16.8 fat / 86.6g carbs

The healthier option here is slightly higher in carbs, but has more protein and tons less fat! If you have a low fat option you can afford to eat more carbs.

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Zizzi