Do....

Select foods that are low in fat and sugar.

Choose an unsweetened fruit juice or lassi instead of aerated beverages.

Order a salad with low fat dressing as it's the oil-laden dressings that make salads unhealthy. Choose a lemon or low fat curd dressing instead of a high calorie mayonnaise or cream based dressing.

Choose a whole wheat roti instead of white bread or naan made out of maida. Maida is refined flour which provides very little nutrition and virtually no fibre.

Select stir-fried vegetables which use less oil while cooking instead of greasy calorie laden gravies.

If you really crave for desserts, select a less fatty, fruit based dessert and share it with someone, so that you don't feel obligated to finish the entire portion.

Not to do...

Avoid eating out too often. Let it be an occasional indulgence.

Never arrive at the restaurant on an empty stomach as most restaurant dinners tend to start off late and you may be really hungry, as a result you end up bingeing on fried starters or calorie-laden food. To avoid this, have a small snack or a piece of fruit before you leave home.

Avoid an alcoholic drink before or after dinner as it provides you with only empty (unnecessary) calories.

Avoid butter and cheese laden like dishes like pav bhaji, sandwiches, butter idlis and dosas.

Don't overeat just because you do not want to waste the food you have ordered. Pack the leftovers so you can relish them later when you're hungry or you can give it to someone on your way home.