Kitchen Lessons · Eating Well

Mediterranean Choices at Restaurants

The short answer

You don't need to be perfect when you eat out. Look for grilled proteins, plenty of vegetables and olive-oil-based dishes, share the oversized plates, and let the bread basket be a small pleasure rather than the whole meal.

What to look for

Grilled fish or chicken, a salad or a vegetable side, anything built on olive oil, beans or grains. Mediterranean restaurants make this easy — it's how the whole cuisine is built.

What to watch

Deep-fried anything, heavy cream sauces, and pasta portions the size of your head. None are off-limits — just share them, or make them the exception rather than the default.

And enjoy it

A little bread with good olive oil, a glass of wine, dinner with people you love — that's Mediterranean eating too. Pleasure is part of the point, not a slip-up.

Gina's tip

Decide what you'll order before you're starving and the basket is in front of you. A plan beats willpower every single time.