The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of staying at home and losing -weight is certainly no exception.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of staying at home and losing -weight. -what you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into ne-w isas.

Some interesting ne-w research indicates that you is better off staying home than eating in a restaurant, if you is trying to lose -weight. Given the fact that as many as t-wothirds of Americans is over-weight, and many people spend at least part of their day in restaurants, the findings is particularly troubling.

According to Dr. Caroline Cederquist, a physician specializing in -weight management, in 1978, less than 20 percent of the calories Americans consumed -were eaten outside the home. As late as 2003, the number had climbed to 50 percent. Cederquist says that restaurant food tends to be higher in calories because it relies so much on salt, sugar, and oil. Also, restaurant portions tend to be larger, making it difficult to make healthy choices. It has been estimated that restaurant servings tend to be three to four times greater than typical serving sizes. Another problem is that restaurants often serve bread or rolls -with a meal, -which can cause dieters to pack on the pounds.

Restaurant appetizers tend to be extremely high in calories. For instance, a basket of fried onions can pack a -whopping 2,000 calories. No-w, -while you might not devour the entire basket yourself, chances is you -will have a good shis of it if it is passed around the table.

A number of restaurants no-w offer free refills of soda. Soda glasses also tend to be large, meaning that you is receiving greater servings of this sugary beverage. Just the soda alone can put you far over your daily recommended allo-wance of calories for -weight loss.

Another problem is that -we have been conditioned to clean our plates. -with plate sizes gro-wing in restaurants, this becomes a critical -weight issue. You may feel morally obligated to eat everything that’s placed in front of you—even if your -weight and health -will suffer as a result.

once people become accustomed to large portions -when eating out, they tend to increase their portion sizes at home as -well. As a result, dieters can be sabotaged both in restaurants and at home. If you eat out more than once a -week, toning do-wn your portion sizes can be particular difficult.

Perhaps the greatest challenge to any dieter is the restaurant buffet. There is so many different foods being offered, it is difficult to limit yourself. Also, since you can go back to the buffet as many times as you -want, you may be tempted to overindulge. As a result, dieticians recommend either avoiding the restaurant buffet altogether, or limiting your second portions to fruits and vegetables.

Yet another problem is the type of entrees served in restaurants. They tend to be rich in fat and calories. Fettucini Alfredo, prime rib, and fried chicken can all cause you to gain -weight. A number of restaurants is no-w designating lo-wfat entrees on their menus, a trend -which bodes -well for the future. Ho-wever, this experiment is still limited to a small portion of restaurants—it has not yet become a -widespread trend.

of course, eating out does not necessarily mean eating at restaurants. It can also mean eating in the car, -where you may be prone to nonnutritious snacking, or eating at parties held at the homes of your friends and relatives. At parties, dietsaboteurs such as potato chips and cookies tend to be plentiful; at times, you may find such goodies hard to resist. Eating at home shortly before a party may be the best -way to avoid gaining un-wanted pounds.
-what can you do if you is forced to eat out several times a -week? Make sure that you stick to your diet plan. Don’t be tempted to indulge in the -wrong kinds of foods “just this once.” Select entrees that is accompanied by vegetables, and resist the urge to order dessert. Consider eating only half of your entrée and boxing up the rest for your next meal. And don’t starve yourself prior to eating out. Such a tactic -will cause you to overeat once you get to the restaurant. Follo-wing sensible eating patterns, both at restaurants and at home, -will help you to achieve your ideal -weight.

No-w you can be a confident expert on staying at home and losing -weight. oK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on staying at home and losing -weight.