Dining Out
Savvy tips that let you green-light some favourites!
Menu wise
Don’t put your social life on hold. Our tips will help you spot the smart
choices on the menu.
Before you go, look up the menu online—or on our mobile app*—it has SmartPoints listings for many eateries and meals. Track before you order (do it before everyone else if you can) so you won’t be swayed by others’ orders.
Ask for dressings and sauces served on the side.
Understand the lingo: smothered, rich, au gratin, glazed, and creamy usually indicate high SmartPoints values. Flame-grilled, poached, smoked, baked, and grilled tend to be lower.
Don’t be shy about special requests—ask for a salad instead of fries with your main course or vegetables with balsamic vinegar instead of swimming in butter.
Resign from the clean plate club—there’s no prize for finishing your food. Stop when you’re satisfied, not when you’re stuffed (ask for a to-go box for leftovers). Put your napkin on your plate to signal you’re finished.
Be salad savvy—creamy dressings, croutons, bacon, avocado, nuts, and seeds are flavourful but high in SmartPoints; a little goes a long way. Top with fresh fruit instead; also flavourful, and “free!”
Use your Weekly SmartPoints. They give you flexibility. And track the best you can—estimating is A-OK!
Enjoy yourself. If you have enough SmartPoints in your Budget and you want it, get it and love every bite of it. And if you go over it—get over it. It’s what you do next that matters.