Dining out can seem like a nightmare when you are trying to be good.  Here are a couple of tips that might help:

• Don’t be afraid to ask your server for low carb options.  I frequently order “pulled chicken soft tacos” on lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.  They may be a lot harder to pick up, but that flavor is wonderful!  I even ordered a quesadilla on a slow night, with no tortilla!  It came out of the kitchen as a delicious, ooey-gooey mess in an oversized salad bowl.  They mixed everything together and tossed it into the oven to get it bubbling hot.  Best dinner ever.
• Order your sandwich without the bread!  You occasionally end up betting a bigger portion of the filling this way.  A lot of restaurants gauge the amount of filling by the size of the bread, but when you skip the bread, sometimes you get lucky!  Even something as bread-dependent as a French Dip can be prepared without a bun.  Obviously, it is harder to “Dip”, but the steak alone is what I crave!
• Get a side salad instead of fries or chips.  I do miss the salty crunch of a good bag of chips, but salad will suffice.  My all time favorite salad dressing is a Apple Vinaigrette, but I had to push away from it.  Watch out for hidden sugars in your dressings.  I now reach for a Parmesan Peppercorn, Ranch, or Balsamic Vinaigrette.
• Double up on the veggie instead of getting the mashed potatoes.  Opt for green beans instead of carrots.  Make sure that none of the veggies are “candied” – I learned that one the hard way!
• If all else fails, order a burger with no bun. Hold the ketchup – it has more carbs than you think.  Add mayo if the burger is too dry and you need some sauce.  Add extra cheese, or bacon, or avocado, or onion if you’re a fan.  “Diet” burgers don’t have to be boring!

Being successful in this diet is all about making small changes.  In time, those small changes will become habit, and will become a big part of your success!  Best of luck to you!