If you are like many Americans today, you carry a few extra pounds that you would love to shed . If you stay up to date with America's News and World Report, you may remember when they mentioned in January of this year that the raw food diet was one of the top diet plans for weight loss in 2015. If you are considering that plan or are already on it, one common concern relates to being able to dine in a restaurant while adhering to the raw food plan. Below are three tips to help you do this.

Tip#1: Choose The Restaurant Carefully

You probably already know that your options will be limited, but there are options that do not involve you just eating a pre-made salad and smiling through your hunger pains while others enjoy standard food. One option will obviously be the vegetable plate, as long as the veggies are fresh and have not been cooked, broiled, steamed, etc.

Typically restaurants require meats to be cooked to a specific temperature, as regulated by the health department in each state. Therefore, if you are a fan of raw meat, you may have a problem. However, if you call ahead to the restaurant, you can talk to the manager and find out what changes could be made to the existing menu items for your meal.

Tip#2: What Are Some Options?

Many cold soups are made with fresh fruits and vegetables. As long as they do not add any cooked items prior to serving it, you may find a new favorite soup. Alternatively, they may be able to improve an existing dip to make it free of cooked food and then use carrots or celery in lieu of chips or bread.

Fresh avocado with lemon juice is also a popular dip on this diet, as it is high in vitamins and the "good" fat. Some raw food devotees bring their own spaces, seeds and other salad garnishes, so when you are speaking with the restaurant manager, ask if you can bring in your extras to personalize your salad. If they don't carry fresh avocado at the restaurant, you may be able to bring it along.

Tip#3: Drink Juice And Water

If you are eating at a family-style restaurant or a facility with a bar, juice will probably be available to you. After verifying that it is real juice and not a juice-based beverage, make sure you are drinking it throughout the meal. Not only is juice healthier for you and allowed within the raw food diet plan, its sweet taste can often help to avoid the need for dessert.

In conclusion, improving your health through safe weight loss and good nutrition is crucial for everyone. If you are ready to commit to a raw food plan and your doctor agrees, remember that you can still enjoy eating out with your friends and family members, it just takes a bit more planning. If you're looking for a new restaurant in your area to try, visit The Dunraven Inn.