​This section of the web site is devoted to your questions about diet and cholesterol. One of the most frequently asked question, or comment, is "How can I follow a healthy diet while dining out?" Many of our patients dine out at lunch time and many also dine out for dinner. A business trip may also alter your diet when trying to keep up with a fast paced schedule.
Here are a few tips for dining out:

• Avoid foods that have been deep fried in fat.
• Be polite but assertive when ordering meals. If asked, restaurants will prepare foods as you request- broiled instead of fried.
• Have sauces and salad dressings served on the side. This will let you limit the size of portions.
• Choose restaurants that serve healthful entrees such as baked or broiled chicken and fish.
• Oriental restaurants can be good choices. Order dishes that feature small portions of chicken, fish, or lean meat stir-fried with vegetables in small amounts of peanut oil.
• Italian restaurants can also be wise choices. Pasta with tomato sauce is a filling, low-fat meal.
• Avoid high-fat cheeses, sausages, fatty cuts of meat, and alfredo sauce.
• At delicatessens, choose a sliced turkey or lean roast beef sandwich rather than high-fat sandwich meats and cheeses.
• Choose sliced tomatoes or a dill pickle spear instead of fries or chips.
• Even at fast food restaurants, you can find relatively low-fat choices. Unfortunately, their fish and chicken are usually deep-fried in very saturated fat. Try a small broiled hamburger, a roast beef sandwich, or the salad bar.
• Eat a low-fat snack before going to a party or buffet where there will be a lot of high-fat food. This will curb your appetite and prevent overeating.
• When dining with friends, it may be difficult to refuse high-fat foods. Eat small amounts of these foods and concentrate on the low-fat foods offered.
• When traveling by plane, call the airline at least 24 hours in advance and request a low-fat, low-cholesterol meal. Many airlines will honor your request.