Eating out is an enjoyable experience. You get to enjoy a full meal without having to slave over the preparation. It allows you time to socialize with friends or relatives, and those who eat alone can use this opportunity to relax their frazzled nerves after a hard day at work.

Most of us believe that eating out can cause various problems like obesity and heart conditions. We think that food in restaurants are made to please the palate and are generally unhealthy. This is why a lot of people do not bother eating out. Sadly, most people don’t realize that home cooked meals are not generally as healthy.

Eating out does not have to be stressful for the person who is health-conscious, as he or she can actually enjoy a meal at a fast food restaurant without having to throw away his or her diet regime. There are many options available for the dieter who wants to sate his or her taste bud cravings without having to sacrifice his or her weight.  Here are great tips for the dieter who wants to eat out, take note that these meals can actually boost your weight loss potential.

Avoid High Sugar Options

Before we discuss what you can have, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t ingest. Sugar in moderate amounts is something that your body needs. However, please note that if you are not a power lifter, a distance runner practicing for a marathon or a person who can devote 4 hours to yoga, please avoid ingesting more sugar that you can burn.

The key is to avoid beverages or desserts that contain more than the recommended daily intake of sugar. Please note that you can choose to avoid sugar completely, which is good for people who have a family history of diabetes. Your body will thank you later.

Boost Your Protein Intake

Did you know that your daily intake has to be comprised for at least 30% of protein to get a leaner physique? This is the secret that many celebrities exploit, especially since most of them eat out to be seen. With that in mind, rejoice! There are a lot of fast food choices that are meat-based, making dining out the perfect way to drop those pounds while indulging in mouthwatering meaty goodness. Here are a few choices that will make you change your mind about eating out.

Captain D’s Grilled Chicken

Mouthwatering at just 188 calories per serving. It contains a whopping 28 grams of protein and no trans fat.

Chipotle’s Carnitas

Delicious at only 220 calories. It has 26 grams of protein and no trans fat.

Checker’s Classic Wings-Medium Buffalo (5 piece)

Five pieces of delectable wings at only 335 calories. It has 39 grams of protein and less than .10 trans fat.

Carl’s Jr Charbroiled BBQ Chicken™ Sandwich

Yummy chicken with only 390 calories. It has no trans fat and contains 30 grams of protein.

Carbohydrates For Fat Burning

Carbohydrates should not be taken out of the human diet entirely. This is why it would be best to include a good size serving early in the morning or before a workout. Carbs are a must because they help our bodies process fats and sugars. Without carbohydrates, we would have a harder time turning them into energy. Thus, have your carbs, albeit sparingly.

You might also want to include brown rice into your daily diet. This is packed with fiber to make digestion easier. Faster digestion is a must if you want to amp up your metabolism. You can get your daily dose at the Chipotle branch nearest to you. Please note that corn tortillas are also healthy for those who want variation, as you cannot have brown rice every single day.

If you have ever thought about fast food as an institution that condones artery blocking food, you will be surprised as to how many establishments have changed. Most are geared towards offering healthier alternatives, and also allow you the opportunity to plan your meals based on their nutritional charts (found online or on-site). This allows you to decide what you want to ingest based on what your taste buds crave and what your body needs.

Most diet fanatics make the mistake of eating at home all the time. When you are home, you are more likely to binge, as there is no one there to judge you about your meal portions. This is why you should consider dining with other people or at least at your favorite establishment. Eating out should not be omitted from your daily routine, as it allows you to enjoy affordable food, the company of friends or workmates or simply to collect your thought before or after a hard day at the office. Thus, fast food restaurants don’t need to be the enemy. They can be your favorite place to order fat burning meals.