When you’re eating out you have no control over what is put in your food. Of course, you can make requests of the chef, but even then, you still don’t see what’s going on in the background. And some chefs won’t even alter their recipes or work with someone who may have allergies or dietary restrictions. That’s disheartening because that policy stops me from going to certain eating establishments.
As a workaround, one thing I’ve started doing is not requesting to alter what is on the menu, but instead breaking it down to the basics. There’s a Thai restaurant I go to that has an exquisite Panang curry sauce, but I know it’s very salty and may raise my blood pressure. They put an overly generous amount in the dish, so it basically seems as if the dish is more of a soup.
However, to stop myself from overconsuming and getting too much salt in my system, I place a side order for steamed veggies with brown rice. I then ask for the sauce on the side, that way I can control how much I consume. The experience is just the same and it’s even less money.
The lesson is that, when you eat out, ask for your sauce on the side. Many restaurants will accommodate that request, without any alterations to the chef’s “creation.” That way you have a little more control over what’s going into your body. It’s best to eat at home where you have maximum control, but we all like to live a little and enjoy fine dining. Most of the gustatory experience we enjoy comes from the sauce anyway. From now on, try it on the side with some veggies whenever possible. Your digestive system will thank you.
