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“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” – Albert Einstein

If you are eating sensibly or working out regularly to maintain your figure, one of the biggest obstacles is going out to dinner. Now, you work hard and should treat yourself to something tasty without any cleanup required by you. It’s the principle of using moderation I preach all the time that is the basis for this article.

There are lots of choices and ways you can cut some added calories out of a wonderful dinner out on the town and still really enjoy it.

Let’s recap a few important principles before venturing out.

Now that you think I’ve ruined your dinner let’s take a trip out to dinner together. Don’t forget your wallet, haha. I like DB McMillan’s in the Wildewood Shopping Center so let’s start there. We pop in and order two drinks. I might order a Michelob Ultra or have a Lager for fuller taste and calories, but I’m only having one alcoholic drink with dinner. Maybe you are going with the red wine for its antioxidant power. Great choice!

Next, I would recommend the hummus platter that Dana breaks out as a summer special because it has some great Middle Eastern flair, and is healthy. Next I might order a burger or a steak salad, which the dressing comes on the side so you can control those calories.

With the burger I could get fries or a salad. Of course the healthy choice is the salad, but if we are ordering similar items why don’t one of us get fries and the other get a salad and we can share. Now you aren’t denying yourself. You could always remove the top bun, then cut your burger and eat it if you felt the need to cut extra calories off the top, or your bottom.

They have some great deserts here so have you been good? Did you do some extra reps this morning or are we going to walk around the plaza after dinner to burn off the cheesecake? That’s a decision you can make. I usually order one desert and we split it. If dinner was fulfilling, then we can take it home and have it later instead of adding to the calories we ate for dinner. Win-Win.

Now let’s go to Blue Wind Gourmet and see what’s available here. Again I would start out with a drink but you can wine test and expand your taste buds so why not? It’s free. Again I have a starter here I like a lot. The antipasto salad has two wonderful breads with strips of roasted tomato, roasted red peppers, fresh basil and mozzarella and garlic olive oil to make your happy inside.

Rob uses lots of fresh ingredients throughout his eclectic menu so you will have trouble choosing just one thing to eat. I will choose the Pan-Seared Tuna, which is like eating sashimi or raw fish. My other favorite would be the Gyro.

Hey we are in Maryland so why don’t you get a crab cake? Now don’t drown it in a sauce, lightly brush it and savor the taste of the crab.

On a side note, has there been a contest for the best tasting crab cake in Southern Maryland? I’ve tasted a few and I know I like Sandgates Inn crab cakes too.

For desert I again would split something with you or maybe have a desert wine and you could have coffee. I’m getting hungry just writing this.

Chick-fil-A also did well ranking their chicken nuggets and other sandwiches in a book titled Eat This, Not That! (For Kids). I picked it up at BJ’s after reading through the adult version and highly recommend this. I was shocked at how a healthy sandwich at many restaurants could kill your figure.

We have a lot of great places to eat out in SOMD. Try them all and make a few, small changes to keep your meal fun, tasty and healthy. Bon Appetit!

These topics come from my book, “Back At Your Best; Balancing the Demands of Life With the Needs of Your Body.” It is available in book and Kindle format at Amazon, www.BAYBBook.com and at my office.

Thank you to everyone who has email questions. If you have any type of personal health concerns or questions, feel free to email me at DrJay@BackAtYourBest.com. I will answer them in private or in this section in a week or two.

Dr. Jay M. Lipoff is the owner of Back At Your Best Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, LLC, which is located in the Wildewood Shopping Center. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in 1990, a Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) from New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) in 1994 and he became a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT) in 2005.

Dr. Lipoff is an Executive Board Member, International Chiropractic Association Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science; has a radio segment: Back At Your Best in 5 Minutes or Less, Co-Founder, Drug Free Training USA; Member, NY Strength-promoting the importance of physical conditioning; Board Member of Public Relations Committee, Maryland Chiropractic Association; has done over 15 nationally broadcasted radio interviews, has articles in print and referenced in over 100 print papers, magazine and on websites, President, Wildewood Business Network-promoting better business relations and community outreach.

For more information, go to www.BackAtYourBest.com, www.BAYBBook.com, find us on facebook or call 301-863-BEST (2378).