Beat the Food Blues at Winterlicious with Tips from a Registered Dietitian

This is the final week to taste test at Winterlicious Toronto 2015; this fun annual event is an exciting culinary experience that gives you a chance to indulge, tasting cuisine from around the world at a price point that won’t leave you feeling overdone. For all of you foodies out there, this is a great opportunity to get out there and try something new, exotic, or even traditional – and you’ve got 200 of Toronto’s top restaurants to choose from!

Wait – what if you’re trying to watch that figure? Does Winterlicious sound like just the type of temptation to make you fall off the wagon? Besides the usual ‘make reservations in advance’ type of tip, here are some others from a registered dietitian that will help you stay on track and let you enjoy everything this great event has to offer.

1. Start by asking for the nutritional information for whatever dish you are most interested in.
2. When dining with a friend, split the main course and start with a house salad with low fat dressing. These days, meal portion sizes are often far larger than we need them to be (we’ve all left a restaurant feeling full after attempting to finish everything on the plate), so splitting the meal not only saves the dough, it saves you from that doughy feeling afterwards.  
3. When choosing from the menu, look for options that contain items from all four food groups: vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives and meat and alternatives. This works to make the meal more balanced.
4. Try to skip the fried dishes – we know this can be difficult – but baked, broiled, roasted or grilled foods taste just as good and are way better for that waistline. Use this tip any time you dine out – and it never hurts to ask the server if a dish listed as fried can be done differently.
5. Also, try to skip those dishes that are covered in rich (meaning high fat and high sodium) sauces or gravy – or at least ask for them on the side so that you can control the amount you are eating.

Taking advantage of Winterlicious doesn’t need to mean gaining back those hard lost inches – just be smart about how you indulge and you will find that it doesn’t have to be that tough!

For more tips to stay fit and still enjoy food please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 and speaking with our registered dietitian, Stefanie Senior, or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.