Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, especially one that’s as healthy as it is tasty. But we also understand that especially during vacation time, dining out is an added pleasure and a convenience enjoyed by millions of Americans every day. The next time you have a meal in a restaurant, make sure it doesn’t undermine your otherwise good nutritional intentions.

“Be assertive,” says Doylestown Hospital dietitian and nutritionist Amy Pieczarka, RD, LDN, CCN, CDE. “While some restaurants label some items on their menus as ‘heart-healthy,’ don’t hesitate to ask how things are prepared and what the ingredients are. Also, when looking at your plate, mentally divide it. Meat should take up only a quarter of your plate, a starchy food a quarter, and the remaining half should be vegetables.”

For help managing your weight while learning about healthy eating, enroll in NEW YOU!, a comprehensive, eight-week, personalized weight management program. Call Amy Pieczarka at 215-345-2394 for information.

These tips can help:

1. Enjoy half of your meal: Bring the other half home, or share your entree with a dining companion.

2. Try a healthy salad dressing: Request olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of a creamy dressing.

3. Pass on the bread: It’s easy to eat mindlessly when served a basket of bread.

4. Finish the meal with fruit: Ask for fresh fruit if you don’t see it on the menu.

5. Be mindful of liquid calories: If you have an alcoholic beverage, limit it to one glass of wine.

6. Make a healthy request: Ask the waiter or waitress about heart-healthy options.