Pro Tips on Eating Out Responsibly

Food writer and public relations maven Jill Silva of Kansas City eats out -- a lot. It’s a big part of her job.

She’s trying to establish healthier habits, at restaurants and at the gym. Here, Silva, 60, offers a few pointers for responsibly enjoying restaurants.

1. Allow yourself to enjoy it (within boundaries). “If you go out to eat, you don’t want to order the salad. You want something special.”

2. Ask questions about what’s on the menu, how it’s prepared, and what the ingredients are. You don’t want to be surprised in a bad way when the plate’s put before you.

3. Favor real food as opposed to processed components. “If they can’t tell you how something was prepared, or if it came in a bag, carton or jar, then it’s probably not something good for you,” Silva says. When grocery shopping, go for better bread at a bakery instead of processed loves off the supermarket shelf, if you can.

4. Remember that higher-end restaurants serve reasonably sized portions, compared to casual chains that encourage gorging.

5. Support local farmers if you can. Grow some produce yourself. You’ll taste the difference.

And remember, she says, don’t be a snob about food. It has many places in life, and you should do the best you can to fit it into your healthy lifestyle.