Dining Out on a Healthy Diet

Check the Menu: Before dining out, review the restaurant's menu online.
Inquire About Options: Call the restaurant to ask if they can accommodate a low-fat, plant-based, or vegan diet.

International Options: Explore restaurants with international cuisine that often feature dishes based on nutritious staples, fragrant spices, and vegetables.
Italian Restaurants: Look for options like pasta e fagioli (pasta and bean soup) and vegetable-rich sides or salads.
East/South Asian Cuisine: Many establishments (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian, Filipino, Indian) offer flavorful and healthful choices, with vegetable-focused menus including steamed vegetable dumplings, seaweed salads, vegetable and noodle soups, and tofu-based dishes with vegetables like broccoli, green beans, and eggplants served over brown rice or noodles.
Japanese Restaurants: Even without fish-based sushi, find vegetable sushi with cucumber, radishes, carrots, etc. Also, try miso soup (confirm it's vegetarian).
Latin Cuisine: Enjoy bean burritos (hold the cheese and sour cream), spinach enchiladas, and veggie fajitas, with rice, corn, beans, and salsa.
Pizza: Opt for veggie toppings like mushrooms, onions, peppers, and spinach, but without cheese.

Steakhouses/High-End Restaurants: These establishments often take pride in their vegetables; inform the server about dietary restrictions to request accommodations.
Creative Ordering:
- Customize dishes by substituting ingredients from other meals.
- Chefs can often prepare off-menu items like savory risotto or spaghetti (even if it's on the kids' menu).
- Veggie burgers might be available even if the main menu only lists hamburgers.
Flexibility: Do not limit yourself to only what is printed on the menu.

Submarine Sandwich Shops: Order veggie toppings without meat and cheese.
Taco Restaurants: Choose bean or veggie tacos without cheese, adding lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapenos.
Burger Outlets: Opt for veggie burgers.
Chipotle: Create a bowl or burrito with beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, and various salsas.

Online Search: Use apps and websites like Happy Cow to find vegan-friendly and plant-based restaurants when traveling.
Google Search: Search "vegan friendly" or "plant-based friendly restaurants" in your destination city.

Advance Planning: Planning helps ensure a happy, healthy, and full dining experience.