A good meal is the common denominator of many kinds of get-togethers and celebrations. It is common for people to turn down an invitation to dine out because they are on a diet, but it does not have to be this way. It is enough to keep in mind a few rules when it comes to choosing courses and drinks, picking the restaurant you go to and avoiding certain habits.

Change your habits
The first and most basic rule is not to be hungry when you arrive at the restaurant. It is best to eat something first at home, ideally something that is filling but is not fattening. Foods rich in fiber serve this purpose, so grains or fruit are a good option.

Another important factor is the place you choose for lunch or dinner. If it is up to you, choose a place that serves dishes without a lot of sauces and with good-quality products that do not need a lot of seasoning. Asian restaurants are also a good choice. They have a good selection of fish, rice, vegetables and salad.

Don't snack before eating
Once you are seated at the restaurant, the first rule is not to be seduced by appetizers and drinks before the meal per se. If possible drink mineral water or a little bit of wine, which will be served with the rest of the courses. You can also opt for a low-calorie soft drink and have some vegetable and non-fried fish appetisers, although don't overdo it. Careful with the bread, too. One or two slices for the whole meal is enough.

The best choice for a first course are vegetables, ideally grilled or steamed, pureed vegetable soups (make sure they don't have cream as an ingredient), rice also with vegetables and of course salads, as we mentioned earlier. In the latter case be careful with the oil. Don't use too much.

Fish instead of meat
As for main courses, fish is less fattening than meat, but it depends on what kind of fish and how it is prepared. In other words, hake or red bream are fine, but not so good if they are served with sauces that make you want to eat a lot of bread. In these cases, it is best to order steak, or a turkey or chicken dish that are prepared in a low-calorie way without a lot of side dishes.

Other good options are scrambled egg dishes which tend to be prepared with little oil and have ingredients like garlic shoots, asparagus or mushrooms, and dishes seasoned with aromatic herbs. These add flavor and few calories.

Don't blow it at the end
Dessert is perhaps the biggest challenge. Many restaurants offer dishes so tantalizing it is
a real feat not to give in. Although most desserts are rich in calories and have a lot of sugar, there are more and more alternatives bases on fruit and light dairy products such as yogurt and mild cheese. To finish off the meal there is nothing better than an herbal tea to help digest it all.

As general rules, it is important to eat slowly, put you knife and fork down after each bite and chew slowly. In any case, don't forget that if you go to restaurants only sporadically, you need not drive yourself crazy analyzing what you can and cannot eat. One small treat as part of an otherwise light meal will not ruin your diet.