The Uber Eats Diet – How to Use Food Apps and Stay Lean

 

Food apps make ordering food undoubtedly convenient. We can satisfy our hunger and cravings almost any time of the day without stepping outside. According to the 2022 Uber Eats Craving Report, the most popular combos were burritos with cheese, french fries with salt, and cheeseburgers with diced onions. While unhealthy food selections make the top of the list, it is possible to use food apps and stay lean.

How to Stay Lean on an Uber Eats Diet

The following tips will show you how to order from your favorite meal delivery service without sabotaging your health and fitness goals.

Review the Menu

Most restaurants will describe the menu items available for delivery in the app. If they don’t, check out the restaurant’s webpage. Often, especially for larger chain restaurants, they will post the calorie count and nutritional content of each dish. This can help you make an informed choice about your order and how it fits your daily caloric and macronutrient needs.

What food preparations are healthiest?

When reading the menu, take notice of how the food is prepared. Look for whole foods with single ingredients to ensure you know exactly what is in your meal. Your best bet is to find dishes that have been roasted, baked, steamed, or grilled. These options have less fat and calories than their fried counterparts.

Can you narrow your search on food apps?

Uber Eats and Grubhub have a “healthy” category option when selecting a restaurant type. This can be useful in narrowing down the restaurants that generally have a healthier selection. Many restaurants also boast a section on their menu for those looking for lighter fare. These dishes often contain 700 calories or less per meal. Looking for terminology like “lighter” or “healthier selection” can help guide you in the right direction.

Make Modifications

We know it’s tempting to get garlic rolls with your Italian spread or chips and queso to accompany a Mexican dinner. But the sides you choose can greatly impact the nutritional quality of your meals. Nutrient depletion can directly impact your health, so opt for nutrient-dense sides versus empty calories. 

• Vegetables: Choosing steamed vegetables or a side salad is an easy way to increase your daily vegetable and fiber intake. 
• Starch: Instead of ordering french fries, opt for rice, quinoa, a baked potato, or even corn. These sides make a great comparable substitute for fried starches.
• Sauces and Dressings: Dipping sauces and salad dressing are a sneaky source of unwanted calories. Just two tablespoons of ranch dressing have around 150 calories and 15 grams of fat. This can really add up throughout the day. Asking for your salad dressing or dipping sauces on the side puts you in control of the amount you use.

Pack in the Protein

The benefits of protein in your diet are plentiful. Protein helps you feel full longer, which will make you eat less. It is also essential in building lean muscle mass and fueling your metabolism. When ordering your meal, look for lean protein-forward options like fish, chicken, turkey, or eggs. You can even ask for a double order of protein.

How do you make sure your protein is healthy?

Notice how the meat is prepared and served. Grilled meat coated with simple seasonings or spice rubs brings flavor without the unnecessary calories. If the protein is served in a sauce, a tomato-based sauce is better than something creamy. Watch out for sugary glazes or marinades. If you are unsure about the sauce, add a note in the app asking the kitchen to hold the sauce or glaze.

Watch Your Portion Sizes

It is hard to resist diving in as soon as the food arrives on your doorstep. However, you can save yourself some calories and cash by simply transferring a portion of your meal to a smaller plate. Dinner plates have increased in size, making your portion appear smaller. This often leads to eating more than is needed.

When on an Uber Eats diet, note that restaurant meals are often two to three times larger than the recommended serving size. If you plate half of your meal and put the rest straight into the fridge, you are getting two meals for the price of one. This practice will bulk your wallet, not your waistline.

Skip the Sugar

Added sugars contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. A simple tip when learning how to use food apps and stay lean is to monitor the amount of sugar in your orders.

What are healthy drink options?

Sugary drinks like soda, sweetened tea, or juices are the main source of added sugar in our diet. Consuming too much sugar can lead to unwanted weight gain that will derail your fitness goals. So if you want to add a beverage to your meal, check out the ingredients first.

Here are some tips when choosing what to drink with your meals:

• Unsweetened tea, coffee, and sparkling or plain water will be your lowest calorie options. 
• Adding fresh fruit or herbs to your water at home can bring the flavor without the calories. 
• Drinking water before and during your meal will help fill you up without weighing you down.

Should you order dessert?

Skip out on ordering a calorie-ladened dessert. Some desserts contain upwards of 1,000 calories and can seriously wreak havoc on your physique. Fresh-cut fruit is typically an option and can help curb your sweet tooth at the end of your meal.

Be Adventurous

When learning how to use food apps and stay lean, one significant benefit is the variety. You can satisfy any craving with cuisines from all around the world. More often than not, these versatile options are healthier and lower in calories than your typical American fare.

For example, Mediterranean food is renowned as some of the healthiest in the world. The diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. A Greek salad with slow-cooked lamb is flavorful and nutritious. Japanese food is another cuisine that often offers healthy preparations. A sashimi plate with steamed rice and vegetables provides lean protein, a healthy starch, and vitamins and nutrients.

Using Food Apps to Stay Lean Is Easier Than You Think

As you can see, you can use food apps and stay lean by following just a few simple tips. So place your order, fire up your favorite show, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your home.