If you’re like me, you have the best intentions when it comes to cooking for you and your family, but time seems to slip away and you end up deciding to go out for dinner. Eating out can be a time saver, but it can also be challenging to make healthy choices when you’re not cooking things yourself.

The good news is that with a little planning, you can make informed decisions before you even leave home! Here are my top 5 tips for dining out.

1. Plan ahead. This applies to both where you eat and what you order. Have a list of restaurants where you know the menu well so you don’t have to waste a lot of time deciding what to choose. Ask your family to create a list of several places that everyone likes and use it as a rotating list of places to go in a pinch. You can even add a new place that you want to try from time to time. Many restaurants have their menus posted online so you can determine if it’s the right choice for you before you leave.

2. Read the menu carefully. Whether online or in the restaurant, take some time to review the menu options. Be selective about what you’re ordering and consider balancing your meal: if you choose a heavier main course, select a side of steamed vegetables. If you know you’ll be having dessert, choose broiled or broiled chicken or fish with a salad for your main and appetizer. If you really have a craving for something, order it and savor it while you enjoy not having to do the dishes after dinner.

3. Feel free to make special requests. Restaurants are often very flexible with their menus, including preparation methods. Ask if that sandwich you’re interested in can be made with grilled chicken instead of fried. Skip the bacon or mayonnaise on the sandwich and choose a baked potato or salad as a side. Asking for sauces and dressings to be served on the side is an easy way to make sure the food is seasoned to your particular taste.

4. Pay attention to your alcohol consumption. Alcohol tends to lower your inhibitions and you may not be as in tune with your satiety cues. If you choose to drink, the alcohol guidelines recommend one drink per day for women and two for men.

5. Add volume to your meals. Increase the nutritional profile of your food by adding volume. Ask for more vegetables in your spring, choose vegetarian fajitas or fill your burger with more tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables. Not only does this make your food more nutrient dense, it also helps you feel full and stay satisfied longer.

If you’re still finding it hard to fit a leisurely meal into your busy schedule, keep portable groceries in your purse or the kids’ lunch boxes to keep everyone from going hungry. Try nut butter and an apple, trail mix, and individual packets of whole grain cereal or crackers paired with a cheese stick.

The good news is that if you feel pressed for time to eat once in a while, there are a few ways to avoid it. With a little advance planning, when the critical moment arrives, you’ll already have the steps in place to find an easy way to go out to dinner. Plus, you have the added bonus of not having to clean up afterward, giving you even more time to spend with your family.