Dining out is a significant dieting minefield to overcome. It happens all the time. A weight management program is working. The new fitness and eating plan is achieving the weight loss results that you have been striving to attain. Then, just like that the diet is sabotaged. It could be anything from a special birthday occasion, family gathering to an invitation to the latest trendy restaurant.

As decadent as those gourmet entrees and appetizers may be the represent a dieting booby trap. Who knows the caloric value? Not to mention, those calories could set you back a week’s worth of food deprivation.

Before avoid dining out again or throw in the towel for your diet, here are a few strategies to skirt the dieting blunders of eating out.

1) Avoid fast food restaurants. If you must go to McDonald’s, Wendy’s or any other fast food franchises, avoid the burgers, fries, shakes and sodas. Stick to the salad bar, fruits, and frozen yogurts.

2) Just say ‘NO’ to deep-fried foods. Although, one might associate calcium, vegetables and seafood with the following food choices, mozzarella sticks, onion rings and fried calamari are dieting taboos. Before you peel off the deep-fried batter, these tasty and nutritious options contain approximately 1,600 calories or more.

Not to mention, they are laden with at least 116 grams of fat. Let’s not forget about the condiments that accompany these fried creations. Nonetheless, if your choices are limited, opt for the mozzarella sticks; at least they offer an acceptable form of calcium.

3) It should be pretty obvious that baked potatoes outperform French fries in the nutritional value department. But as a reminder, review the following facts on a 10-ounce potato.

Facts on 10-ounce potato:

• It contains 270 – 300 calories
• Possesses good sources of nutrients: vitamin C, fiber and potassium
• Bacon, sour cream, cheese and butter will add unnecessary calories.