As much as I love the crisp cold air and gorgeous woolly coats winter bring, there’s one thing I dread about the season. I simply cannot seem to control my weight. In the cold, I tend to eat more, and when spring comes, I have this awful load of weight to shed before I get to wear summer dresses once more. It’s a fighting battle, I tell you. Sigh.

As I was leafing through Myer’s Emporium magazine (winter edition) today, I came across a short article of smart snacking, which will come in handy for me when it comes to dining out during the cold season. This applies all year round, of course, but I’m hoping this would help me to control my intake of food when I’m at a restaurant. Oh Lord, please give me strength to persevere and not eat that entire chocolate mousse with that unbelievably decadent hot caramel inside just waiting to melt in my mouth!

Anyways. Enjoy.

Judy Davis, food writer and founder of The Food Coach shares some tips for smarter snacking when dining out.

Finger-food faux pas
“Never arrive at a function hungry and avoid anything deep-fried, says Davie. She also suggests limiting consumption to no more than six pieces.

Excellent entrees
Stop kidding yourself that you’re skipping the calories by ordering soup. Many soups are made with butter and cream and are high in energy (kilojoules). “Tomato-based chunky soups made with loads of vegies are a better choice,” suggests Davie. Other healthier entrees include, “caprese salad, grilled scallops, prawns or octopus and many vegetarian entrees”.

The main event
“At night, avoid rich carbohydrate meals such as pasta and risotto. Instead, choose protein- and vegetable-rich dishes,” Davie advises. “If the main meal doesn’t come with vegetables or salads, always order them on the side, to prevent you from opting for fries or heavy, starch accompaniments.” And the big one: “limit alcohol to a maximum of one glass of wine.”

The little extras
Desserts need not be denied – Davie suggests ordering one serve and sharing it around. “A mouthful or two won’t hurt.” As for drinks, “Vodka and soda has the least amount of energy, whereas sweet cocktails made with cream and spirits with sweet mixer drinks are high in energy. Wine is middle of the road while beer is high in carbohydrates and sugar.”

The final word
“Eat very slowly and chew your food thoroughly,” Davie advises. “You won’t know you’re full unless you eat slowly, as the hypothalamus in the brain takes a while to receive the news from the stomach that it’s full.” (Edit: This is my downfall. It’s embarrassing, but I eat faster than most people I know, and that includes my husband)