The best way to ensure you are eating the highest quality food is to make everything yourself, of course. However, I believe life is all about balance and enjoying everything life has to offer, and, for me, that includes dining out. I love going out to eat at restaurants and going to people’s BBQs and other social events that include food. I’m sure you can agree with me, right? I mean, it’s just not realisitic to say “I’m never going to eat out.” While I do cook my own food most of the time, I also know how to make good choices when I’m eating away from home. Sometimes I will bring my own food to other people’s parties and sometimes I’ll indulge in foods I wouldn’t normally eat, but I don’t feel guilty about it because I eat well most of the time and incorporate physical activity into my life. When I’m on vacation, for example, I’m going to have my pina colada and I’m going to eat dessert every night, and pretty much whatever I want. But don’t get me wrong, I do suffer the consequences when I do that. I get digestive symptoms, weight gain, and acne, but it goes away once I’m back on my normal routine. Usually when I’m dining out, however, I try to keep my meals “as paleo as possible.” So if you have to go out to eat for a special occasion – and can’t eat your Kettlebell Kitchen meals – use my dining out guide below, it’s short and to the point. It’s easier than you think- so don’t overthink it.

 

What to Order

• Meat & veggies – you can find steak or a burger (without the bun) at most restaurants and simply ask for veggies instead of fries
• Chicken & veggies – you can also find grilled or baked chicken (ask that no flour be used on it) at most restaurants and get veggies or a salad as the side dish
• Seafood & veggies (my go-to) – if you can get wild seafood with veggies that’s your best bet
• Salad – salad is a great option, especially if you’re at a place with very little options
• Think outside the box. You could ask for substitutions at most places. If you’re at a burger place, for example, order a bun-less burger with a side salad or cooked veggies instead of fries. Or if you’re at a diner, you could order bacon/sausage with eggs (be sure to ask if it’s gluten-free because some diners use flour in their eggs to make them fluffier) and ask for sauteed veggies instead of home fries (although admittedly I do eat the home fries on the rare occasion that I go to a diner).

Think outside the box. You can ask for substitutions at most places.

 

What to Bring

• Salad dressings tend to be made with questionable ingredients, so it would be helpful to carry a small container of your own dressing with you and order salads without dressing.
• Bring coconut aminos with you when going out for sushi, rather than using the soy sauce.

Bring coconut aminos with you when going out for sushi, rather than using the soy sauce.

 

Where to Go

• If you have any say in the place that you’re eating at, choose a place that uses high quality ingredients such as grass-fed meats and organic veggies.
• You can find a place by typing into yelp “farm to table,” “paleo,” “gluten-free,” “organic,” or something of that nature to find a restaurant that cooks with quality ingredients. Some of my favorites are:

• Hu Kitchen: My #1 favorite restaurant in New York. Hu Kitchen is a paleo-friendly fast-casual dining establishment. Everything they sell is absolutely delicious. My favorite desserts are the Crack Bar, Maple Creme Brulee, and the Almond Butter + Puffed Quinoa chocolate bar. I had an iced coconut milk latte and it was delicious. I’ve yet to try the Crack Coffee, but it’s essentially Bulletproof coffee- so I’m sure it’s delicious. They’ve also got kombucha on tap! They’ve got tons of specials on weekdays that I’ve been dying to try- but since I don’t live in New York City, I only get there on weekends. So my go-to order is The Diesel Parker (it’s similar to lasagna in my mind). Check out their menu here.
• Bareburger– They use organic, grass-fed meats & dairy. They also have some more exotic meats such as elk, bison, boar, and ostrich. They offer gluten-free buns, or you can order bun-less burgers to make it grain-free. And, their food tastes amazing. Click here for the menu.
• The Burger Spot: The Burger Spot is a gourmet casual dining establishment. They use grass-fed meats, no preservatives, no fillers, and no added colors. Their salad dressings are made with olive oil. I love going here and getting a lettuce-wrapped burger with bacon, mushrooms, avocado, and onions and a side salad! Click here for the menu.
• Seasons 52: Seasons 52 is a beautiful fine dining restaurant (perfect for date nights) that won’t leave you feeling overly stuffed when you leave. They have many healthy options and everything is delicious. I normally get the Cedar Plank Salmon (which inspired my Cedar Plank Salmon recipe). Check out the menu here.

• The Thirsty Koala: The Thirsty Koala is a great place to go for date (if you get there early) or a night out with your friends. They use all grass-fed meats and have some exotic meats too. They cook with organic ingredients and the food is delicious. Check out the menu here.

 

Search Yelp for “farm to table,” “paleo,” “gluten free,” “organic,” or something of that nature to find a restaurant that cooks with quality ingredients.

 

Simple as that. Don’t worry about being “perfect” while you’re out. Do the best you can and enjoy the company of the people you’re with because that’s the real reason you’re out celebrating, right?