1. The first item most restaurants place on the table is white bread and butter, not a high quality food choice-white flour and saturated fat, butter.  Request a whole wheat or multigrain bread if available with a little olive oil for dipping.  If not available, pick on the crust of the bread (unless the crust is buttery) which is much less denser than the middle and lightly dip in a little olive oil.  This heart healthy fat used in moderation helps to satisfy your appetite so you minimize the amount of bread eaten.  Ideally, if only plain white bread/rolls available, ask them to not leave it on the table to avoid the temptation.

2. Appetizers are often a fun way to start the meal, but so many are fired or creamy and cheesy.  Remember, heart healthy is NO FRIED, NO FULL FAT DAIRY so creamy/cheesy does not work. ASK for Vegetables and dip, low fat dip preferably; if not available a low fat salad dressing makes a great dip. Some more common healthier options are shrimp cocktail, grilled shrimp, grilled vegetables (always ask for light oil on the grilling), lettuce wraps-go light on the dipping sauces, steamed clams and mussels, hummus, or ahi tuna.

5. If no soup or heart healthy option, you can always order a salad with dressing on the side. Eat a salad as an appetizer and another with your meal. Vegetables with a light dressing are some of the healthiest foods you can eat, so enjoy. I know it is not the norm, but maybe it should be-tossed salad on the appetizer menu and also served with the meal. Think about it and remember, order smart, its all about a better you-not a restaurant menu.