Lunch and dinner

You can make healthier choices when having lunch or dinner away from home.

Enjoying a lunch or dinner that you didn’t cook can be a relaxing experience. It has become more normal to eat lunch or dinner out, so it’s important to consider a healthy balance.
  • Tomato and vegetable based sauces tend to be lower in fat than creamier ones
  • Wholegrain versions of bread, rice and pasta are are higher in fibre than white
  • Vegetable, bean, lentil, chicken or fish based dishes are a healthier choice for stews, casseroles and curries
  • Leaner meats like turkey and chicken, or fish, are healthier choices for main meals and for filling baked potatoes or sandwiches
  • Options that are grilled, boiled, baked, roasted or steamed instead of fried, tend to be lower in fat
  • Deep fried foods can sometimes be described on the menu as ‘battered’ or ‘crispy’. Options which have breadcrumbs instead tend to be healthier
  • Dishes with pastry, cheese or processed meats (such as pepperoni or chorizo) can be high in fat and salt
  • A thinner base pizza is usually lower in fat than thicker or cheese-stuffed crusts

You could ask for a half portion, or suggest sharing, if the portion sizes are large.

Making a change

How to make small, manageable changes to what you eat and drink.

Make a change