In restaurants, the two best pieces of advice are: watch the salt and reduce the portion size.
Watch the salt
Some experts recommend that people with diabetes should consume less than 2300 mg of sodium per day, while others recommend even lower levels of sodium (no more than 1500 mg per day – less than 1 teaspoon).
The following recommendations will help.
Appetizers
- Choose fresh fruits or vegetables.
- Avoid soups and broths.
- Stay away from salty, buttery bread and rolls.
Salads
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid pickled vegetables, canned or pickled vegetables, cured meats, seasoned fried bread cubes, cheese and salted seeds.
- Order salad dressings for side dishes and use them in small amounts.
Main course
- Choose lighter foods, including roasted, grilled or broiled meats, poultry, fish or shellfish.
- Choose light vegetables, potatoes, and noodles.
- Ask your server about low-salt menu options and ask how the food is prepared.
- Ask for food to be cooked without salt or MSG.
- Avoid eating at restaurants that do not offer special food preparations, such as cafeterias and buffet-style restaurants.
- Avoid casseroles, mixed dishes, gravies and sauces.
- Do not eat special sauces, condiments, and cheeses at fast food restaurants.
- Avoid salted condiments and accompaniments, such as olives and pickles.
Desserts
- Choose fresh fruit, ice, sherbets, jellies and plain cakes.
Control portion sizes
Many restaurants often have portions large enough to serve two days’ worth of lunch. Here’s what you can do when eating out.