Some people use restaurants as an excuse to indulge. But when you’re eating out for a week straight, it’s easy to gain a few pounds. Here are some tips on how to dine out the healthy way, so you won’t regret it.

Portion control Restaurants tend to serve huge portions. Tell the waiter ahead of time that you only want half of your meal served; have the other half wrapped to go.

Start with soup Vegetable-based soups are a great way to fill up so you don’t overeat.

Just ask If your dish comes with a starchy side (i.e., rice or potatoes), ask for veggies instead.

Key words Look for pieces of fish or meat that are grilled or broiled. Always ask for it plain. Stay away from anything sautéed or fried.

Salad talk Instead of dousing your salad in dressing, dip your fork in the dressing and then pinch the lettuce. You’ll get all the flavor and less of the fatty dressing.

Sandwich shop It’s easy to ruin a perfectly good sandwich. Opt for a lean cut of meat, no cheese and skip the “special sauce.” Mustard and salsa are low-calorie alternatives.

It’s okay to snack Have a handful of almonds before you leave for the restaurant. This way you aren’t overly hungry when you order and you’ll be more likely to make better decisions. [via: OK!]