Cuisine-Specific Ordering Tips Mexican Restaurants Best choices: Fajitas (eat the protein and vegetables, skip tortillas or limit to one) Ceviche (if available) Grilled fish tacos in lettuce wraps Chicken or steak salad (skip the shell) Avoid: Queso, sour cream in excess, fried items, large flour tortillas, rice and beans in large portions Modifications: "Extra vegetables instead of rice" | "Can I get that in a bowl instead of a burrito?" Italian Restaurants Best choices: Grilled chicken or veal piccata Branzino or salmon (request grilled) Caesar salad with grilled chicken (dressing light) Chicken or shrimp skewers Avoid: Pasta dishes, cream sauces, lasagna, pizza, bread basket Modifications: "Can I substitute vegetables for the pasta?" | "Light sauce, please" Chinese Restaurants Best choices: Steamed chicken and vegetables (sauce on side) Moo goo gai pan Steamed fish Hot and sour soup (small portion) Buddha's delight (vegetable dish) Avoid: Fried rice, lo mein, General Tso's, sweet and sour anything, egg rolls, fried wontons Modifications: "Steamed, not fried" | "Light sauce" | "No cornstarch coating" Japanese Restaurants Best choices: Sashimi (pure protein, no rice) Edamame Miso soup Seaweed salad Nigiri sushi (small amounts of rice) Grilled teriyaki salmon or chicken (light sauce) Avoid: Tempura, tonkatsu (fried), heavy rolls with mayo/cream cheese, too much rice Strategy: Order mostly sashimi with a few pieces of nigiri for variety Thai Restaurants Best choices: Tom yum soup (clear broth) Larb (meat salad) Grilled chicken or shrimp dishes Stir-fried vegetables with protein Avoid: Pad Thai, curry dishes (very high fat), fried appetizers, coconut milk-based soups Modifications: "Can I get that without the coconut milk?" | "Light oil, please" American (Casual Dining) Best choices: Grilled chicken breast with steamed vegetables Sirloin steak (6 oz) with side salad Blackened fish with vegetables Grilled salmon Cobb salad (light cheese, dressing on side) Avoid: Burgers, sandwiches, fried appetizers, loaded potatoes, heavy sides Modifications: "Vegetables instead of fries" | "Grilled, not blackened" (if blackened is too spicy) Breakfast Restaurants Best choices: Egg white omelet with vegetables Scrambled eggs with turkey sausage Greek yogurt with berries (if available) Smoked salmon with eggs Avoid: Pancakes, waffles, French toast, biscuits and gravy, hash browns Modifications: "Egg whites only" | "Dry toast on the side" | "Fresh fruit instead of hash browns" Social Eating Strategies Restaurant meals are often social events
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