Eating out at your favorite bar and grill can be a real treat, but that does not mean you have to let your diet go out the window in order to indulge. With these four strategies, you can enjoy some of your favorite dishes and drinks without having to watch your waistline expand.

Order from the appetizer menu.

Bar-and-grill restaurants typically have extensive appetizer lists. Order from the appetizer menu, and you can expect a smaller portion than you'd receive from the main dish menu. Appetizer-style dishes also tend to be easily dividable, so you'll have an easy time eating a portion of the serving and boxing up the rest. It's easier to take home 1 out of 4 sliders than a portion of huge burger, for instance.

Order the stout, not the IPA.

It's a common misconception that darker beers are higher in calories than lighter ones. Actually, most stouts and porters are lower in calories than IPAs and lagers. However, dark beers tend to be more filling because of their creamy, satisfying texture. Not only will you be consuming fewer calories per beer, but you'll probably drink fewer total drinks if you order dark beer, since it is so filling.

Box it up as soon as you're full.

If you're like most people, you eat until you're full -- then, your plate sits there for another 30 minutes and you slowly pick at what remains until you have nothing left to take home. You can limit your intake by asking for a box early on in your meal. Box your remaining food up as soon as you're full, so you don't keep picking.

Just say "no" to French fries.

French fries are kind of like a filler. They're not a favorite food of most people, but they're just so convenient to munch. You'll have hundreds or thousands of chances to eat French fries again in the future, so don't let them pad your meal tonight. If the meal you're ordering comes with them, ask the kitchen if that can substitute a salad or at least give you just a small handful of fries, rather than the heaping pile that often comes with a meal. Hands off your dining partners' fries, too!

By ordering an appetizer, boxing up your food as soon as you're done, sticking to the filling dark beers, and keeping your hands off the fries, you can keep your restaurant meal under control, calorie-wise. Share these strategies with your dining partners. Chances are, some of them are watching their waistlines, too, and if you all work together, you'll have an easier time keeping your dining experience light at your favorite bar and grill.