Here are ways fit women eat in groups differently

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Anybody can make healthy food choices when they’re sitting in the quiet and solitude of their home: just them, their plate, and their conscience. But life doesn’t always allow you the option to eat under those conditions. If you live a busy life, work at a big company, have to combine meals with meetings just to make things work, then you eat surrounded by people, in loud environments, and distracted from your better judgment when it comes to food. The real challenge isn’t in what you eat at home; the real challenge is in what you eat in group settings. If you look closely, you may notice that some of your fitter friends have particular habits when they sit down to eat with friends, family, or coworkers. It couldn’t hurt to take a page out of their svelte books. Here are ways fit women eat in groups differently.

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They split one light dish, and one heavy

They ask a friend to split the grilled cheese sandwich, and the vegetable soup bowl. This way, they get to enjoy a bit of the heavier item, but still feel good about their meal.

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They go a-la-carte

They don’t partake in the family style, the buffet, or the all-you-can-eat platter. They always choose the a-la-carte option. All of the other styles are designed to make you over-eat.

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They skip the pitcher of alcohol

They tell their dining companions to leave them out of the pitcher of margaritas or sangria, well aware that these only tempt over-drinking. Instead, they order one drink at a time. The price difference actually discourages them from ordering too many cocktails.

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They look at the other tables

They look around at the other tables, getting an idea of the portion sizes, of how creamy the sauce actually looks on that dish, or how many veggies actually accompany this other one.

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They don’t touch the appetizers

When the server asks if they’d like a small plate to have some of the appetizer, they say, “No thank you.” They don’t even touch the spinach artichoke dip or blooming onion because they know once they start, they can’t stop.

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They get the smaller portion if there is one

They understand that restaurants make portions way too large, and try to convince you the small ones are too small—when they’re usually just right. So they get the “half size” chicken Caesar salad.

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They talk to their neighbor

They chitchat. They don’t just focus on the food or inhale what’s in front of them. They’re typically the most engaged diners at the table, bringing up interesting topics.

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They choose, and they don’t peruse

Once they choose their item from the menu, they shut it, and give it to their server. They don’t give themselves the chance to look again, and reconsider the cheesy lasagna or bacon burger.

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Sometimes, they just order sides

Sometimes, at particularly heavy restaurants like barbecue joints, they just order sides. A side of baked beans, collard greens, and cornbread—for example—can be a whole meal in itself.

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They trade the rice/potatoes for veggies

They always swap out the rice, potatoes, or pasta salad for vegetables. Even if the dish already comes with veggies, they just ask for double the veggies.

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They drink their water before the food arrives

They know that gulping down a glass of water (or two) before the food arrives will give them a better understanding of their hunger level, and not let them misinterpret thirst as hunger.

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They ask for a to-go box right away

They get a to-go box immediately and put half of their food in it the moment it arrives. Then they tuck that food away, in a bag, under the table, to forget about it until later.

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They pass the breadbasket along

They pass the breadbasket right along. They don’t even open it. They don’t look at or sniff the bread. They push it to the furthest end of the table.

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They sample friend’s food

Sometimes, they just order a small salad, and then sample their friend’s heavier items. They get a little spaghetti from this person, a slice of quesadilla from that one, and suddenly, they’re full.