5 survival strategies for eating out

Spring has officially sprung and swimsuit season is fast approaching. So if you're looking for a way to cut calories but still enjoy the occasional dinner out, we've got just the tips for you!

The authors of Eat This, Not That! share 14 of their undeniable rules to navigating the nutritional land mines the restaurant world has to offer. Aside from the usuals like skipping dessert and cutting out the alcohol (you know, the stuff we harp about all the time) – here are our top five restaurant survival strategies:

Avoid Handouts

You know those bread sticks or biscuits placed on your table while you decide what to order? Well just because they're free, doesn't mean you wont pay for them later. "Munch on a couple of Olive Garden's bread sticks or Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits and you've just put down 300 calories before your meal arrives," Men's Health explains. "A basket of chips at the Mexican joint? Expect a price tag around 500 calories, which can easily double the impact of an entrée." These free starters are typically packed with empty calories that can make plans of a healthy dinner out, turn south before you've even ordered your main course.

Don't Fall for Combos

Let's face it, when you're short on time, fast food is the easiest way to go. So you may find yourself pulling up to the drive-thru and shouting to the screen that you'd like a No. 4 with a diet coke, every so often. According to Men's Health, "This is the modern-day equivalent of supersizing, wherein you get an average of 55 percent more calories for 17 percent more money." So the next time you rush over to the drive-thru, take a moment to think about how hungry you really are and whether or not you really need the extra side of fries, or if just the sandwich will really do the trick.

Front-Load With Protein

It's Friday night and your group of friends has talked you into trying out a new restaurant, but you're on a diet. So what's the easiest way to get out of this night without feeling like you blew it? "A study published in Physiology & Behavior showed that people who ate a protein-heavy appetizer consumed an average of 16 percent fewer calories in their entrée than those who loaded up with carbohydrates," explains Men's Health, which suggests appetizers like shrimp cocktail as a safe bet.

Order It to Go

You know that moment when you definitely feel full but the few bites of pasta left on your plate aren't enough to take home, so you just keep eating? Well there's a smarter way to enjoy every bite of your meal without over-doing it. "Every time you order a full-size dinner entrée, ask the server to deliver a to-go box with your food," Men's Health offers. This way, before you begin eating you'll have an easier time dividing your entrée into the right portion, without the temptation of that delicious last bite standing in the way of putting your fork down.

Drink Responsibly

No we're not talking about alcohol, because we're sure you're aware of how to drink without gaining weight by now. And surprisingly enough, we're not even talking about soda – that other drink we harp about all the time. But here's something you might not realize: "A cup of sweet tea is only marginally better than Pepsi, and each glass you drink with dinner adds about 120 calories to your meal, and the same goes with juice," Men's Health explains. "In fact, America's love affair with flavored drinks adds 450 calories to our daily diet, according to a study from the University of North Carolina." So when you can, switch to water, which fills you up faster without adding on the extra calories!

For the full list check out MensHealth.com.