Health Tip: Eat Healthy When You Eat Out

(HealthDay News) - When it's time to eat out, you may think it's too difficult to stick to a diet or to watch those calories.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which offers these eating-out tips, begs to differ:

• Order water, skim milk, unsweetened tea, or other drinks low in sugar and calories.

• Order a small salad as an appetizer, which will help fill you up before the main meal.

• Order salad dressings and other fattening sauces on the side.

• Order entrees that include vegetables.

• Order dishes that are steamed, baked or broiled, not fried.

• Order a small or medium-sized portion -- or even a children's meal -- instead of a regular adult portion.

• Order something from the menu, instead of visiting the all-you-can eat buffet.