Relaxing with friends for a drink after work or socializing on weekends often means meeting at a restaurant, where bar food is an important extension of what’s on the menu.
Much more than a bowl of nuts, interesting bar fare has flourished well beyond platters of fried potato skins and chicken wings. Fueled by the popular Latin custom of offering a variety of small plates, or tapas, now you can get everything from chicken skewers to salad wraps.
More Top Picks Hp Officejet Pro 8720
But Joann Lichten, author of “Dining Lean: How to Eat Healthy in Your Favorite Restaurants” (Nutrifit, 2000) cautions that too many small samples can add up to big consumption. “So don’t fool yourself. Figure on about 100 calories a bite.”
Although healthier choices are emerging in pub-crawl popularity contests, Lichten notes that there are some heavy hitters to be wary of when bellying up to the bar. To enjoy shared appetizers without overindulging, try these tips:
– Don’t just reach for a bite and pop it in your mouth. Ask for an empty plate and transfer a portion to your plate. By doing so, you’ll make snacking a more conscious activity.
– When eating tapas, don’t be fooled by the relatively small size of the plate. Two or three small plates’ worth of food (and calories) are enough for most of us.
– Bartenders often are willing to provide full service. So if you’re sharing fried shrimp, for instance, ask to have cocktail sauce or lemons substituted for the high-calorie tartar sauce it may come with.