Many believe that starting a weight loss diet means cutting out all of the interesting and new foods, replacing them with ‘healthier’ but bland food. In reality, though, you don’t have to forfeit all those other eating choices out there just because you’re trying to stick to a weight loss program. Here are a few nifty tips for eating, drinking and being merry – all without posing too much risk to your weight goals.

Bring Snacks

Pack some crackers or biscuits and a bottle of water in your bag when you go out for the day. That way, you can give yourself a quick bite when the hunger pangs strike, or simply to get a few calories between meals. You shouldn’t be going around hungry, and you certainly shouldn’t sit down at a restaurant positively ravenous. Doing so will only lead to a lot of impulse eating, a lot of unnecessary calories and a lot of regrets afterward. Biscuits and water might not seem like much, but they’re your caloric reinforcements in a pinch.

Bring Friends

Aside from a light snack, friends are always a good thing to bring along when you’re scouting out new eating places or looking for a new taste. When you’ve got company, you’re likelier to share your portions – and your calories – with them. You get to tease your taste buds without eating too much at the end of the day. And – admit it – taste testing around town would be a lot less fun without them.