Head to the restaurant's menu in advance, and take all the time you want to find the right combination of food that fits with your lifestyle. Sites like

cookinglight.com will even help you find healthy items at many fast food and chain restaurants. 

If you're working out, you already know the benefits of lean protein. Odds are that most restaurants will have some sort of chicken dish. Try to find one that's accompanied

by complex carbohydrates like brown rice, and cooked in canola or olive oil. 

You're at a steakhouse - you're not getting chicken. Fair enough! Try to order grass-fed beef, and avoid "prime" cuts (which means they're marbled). And it goes without saying, no fancy sauces

or butter on your meat. Peppercorns bring out flavor the best anyway.

Loaded mashed potatoes come with a heaping helping of butter, bacon, etc. Ditch the starch for simple boiled vegetables, or get a salad with your meal, with dressing on the side.

Restaurants usually dump dressing on their greens, so this is just something to do regardless of your health choices. 

Menu not clear? Does it include words that are either spices or international cities? Ask your waiter! They're there to help, and will recommend what's best based on the information you give them.

All you have to do is speak up for yourself!

Tons of restaurants (I'm looking at you, Cheesecake Factory) are known for bringing you outrageous portions. Everyone wants to be part of the clean plate club, but just maintain discipline,

and bring what you can't reasonably eat home. 

If you skip dessert, head home and grab a carton of ice cream, that's not really an overall win. If you must have dessert, and you need to treat yourself

every now then, go for it! If you're feeling guilty, just opt for fruit or sorbet.

Any other healthy restaurant tips that we missed? Let us know in the comments!