bfit4life
08, Dec 2008

Ask the Coach – Entertaining Clients

Question

The nature of my job means that I have to treat my best customers to lunch for recognition for their business this year. Have you any tips that can help me stay on track and in shape for Xmas?

Answer

There is no reason to increase your stress levels when you have to bring your client out. I have yet to find a restaurant that doesn’t have anything suitable on the menu, while the choice may not be perfect, it’s about making the best choice available. Since you are treating your client, you have control of choosing the restaurant that serves the foods you like and that suit your body-composition. When you get to the restaurant, here are some tips for eating out.

  1. Skip the bread and the alcohol offered at the start of the meal. The high glycemic index of the bread and the beer raise your blood sugar levels so your eyes get bigger than your belly. This tends to mean you will over order and hence overeat.
  2. There are always protein dishes available- steak, fish and chicken etc on a menu and every restaurant will serve vegetables. The problems arise with the additives the chef places on meats, you can ask the waiter to serve the sauces which tend to be a source of hidden carbs on the side.
  3. Eat vegetables or salads with your protein. You can add balsamic vinegar, olive oil or lemon juice to your salads as these will help lower the glycemic index of the foods that you eat.
  4. Always ask for steamed vegetables instead of boiled or micro waved as these methods of cooking destroy the nutrients in the foods.
  5. When you order, tell the waiter you will not be ordering desert so you will not be tempted when your guests order their lemon meringue pies.
  6.  If you are going to drink, choose a glass of wine over other types of alcohol and remember it’s a glass of wine not a vineyard.

In short, you can eat properly, but you have to be disciplined. Good luck.