I eat out all the time; how can I keep Paleo?

This is a question I get asked very often.  Yes, it's more challenging to keep paleo in the sense that many menu options require a bit of modifications, but that does NOT make it impossible.

 

-Scan the menu for salads to start.  Ask for no dressing (or sometimes it's easier to say dressing on the side, and then don't use it), no croutons, no cheese.

-Have a look at which proteins look good and what, if any, sauces they come with; it may be necessary to ask for that on the side as well.

-Peruse the menu for all the different veg the chef has in house and ask if you can swap some of that instead of the mashed potatoes or rice pilaf.

-Plan on taking some home (many restaurants serve huge portions in the US); don't feel that you have to eat it all just because it's in front of you.  Not many people really need to eat an entire 24 ounce rib eye in one sitting!

-Don't feel shy about asking the server for substitutions or modifications.  As long as you're polite, they'll likely be happy to help, knowing that there may be a better gratuity in store for them!

Ultimately, we live in the real world and it's not likely we'd want to eat at home every meal for the rest of our lives, even for those reader who DON'T have to eat out for  business purposes.

You'll get the hang of it and you'll find that simply being in a restaurant does NOT have to be the equivalent of "I'll just eat whatever processed food I want!"