Eating healthfully at home is far easier than when dining out, if for no other reason than the fact that you know exactly what you're eating. Sure, restaurant menus provide you with a good indication of what will be on your plate, but they rarely provide you with all the ingredients.

But, by employing a few tricks while dining out, you can keep your diet from going off the healthy track it's on. Here are just a few of them to try the next time you're out to eat.

• Ask how food is prepared (types of cooking oils, ingredients, etc.)
• Order sauces and dressings on the side, this way you have the choice of how much to use
• Skip or split dessert.
• Eat a light, healthy snack an hour before going out to dinner to avoid overeating
  
• Don't finish everything on your plate. Bring home half the meal to eat the following day.
• Take your time while eating. It typically takes around 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal from your stomach that you're full.