Zone Diet Restaurant Guide: Eating Out Successfully

If you're following the Zone Diet, you can still enjoy some of your favorite foods without feeling deprived. Even if you're eating at a fast-food restaurant, there are foods on the menu that are within plan. For instance, a ham, egg and cheese English Muffin sandwich from Dunkin Donuts, minus the top of the muffin. It's pretty easy to eat out while on the Zone Diet.

Instructions

• 1

  Look over the menu, staying away from any foods with the words "fried", "breaded", "sauce" or "cream." They are traditionally higher in fat.

• 2

  Order a low-fat protein dish. Ask the server to have the kitchen substitute extra vegetables for the starch or grain.

• 3

  Drink at least one glass of water while waiting for your food to arrive. This will help fill your stomach and limit how much you eat.

• 4

  Eat one serving size of the protein for your dinner. This is equal to the size of your palm. Have the server wrap up the rest to take home.

• 5

  Decide whether the carbs are favorable--low glycemic load--or unfavorable--high glycemic load. If they are favorable, have twice the volume compared to the protein. Favorable carbs include vegetables--except for corn and carrots--and fruits--with the exception of raisins and bananas. Unfavorables include most grains and starches.

• 6

  Avoid eating any rolls if you want to save your carbohydrate for dessert. Order whatever you want, but make sure to only eat half of it.