Eating out remains one of the pleasures that we fear sacrificing when trying to lose weight. However, for Jean-Michel Cohen, there is no question of putting his social life on hold. He explains how to continue going out while staying focused on your goals.
When you start a dietary rebalancing, a question arises: should you avoid restaurants? Between the generous portions, the sauces, the desserts and the extensive menus, going out to a restaurant is often perceived as a trap. Jean-Michel Cohen defends a different approach. According to him, learning to eat better is not about isolating yourself or putting off all pleasures.
In an Instagram post, the nutritionist addresses a phrase he hears regularly: “when I have finished my diet”. For him, this way of seeing things poses a problem. The objective is not to follow a period of deprivation before resuming old habits, but to lastingly change the way you eat. This is precisely why dining out needs to be part of the equation. “You are changing the way you eat and the restaurant must fit into your new nutritional balance”he explains. And to add: “The program continues. Even outside.”
This vision contrasts with very strict regimes which impose repeated bans. Jean-Michel Cohen reminds us that a dietary program must be able to adapt to daily life. Family meals, business lunches, birthday parties or outings with friends don’t disappear because someone wants to lose a few pounds. In fact, wanting to control everything often ends up having the opposite effect. After several weeks of frustration, many break down and give up their efforts. Conversely, learning to make the right choices allows you to build more lasting habits.
In his publication, he summarizes his method in one sentence: “I have a rule for every restaurant.” Very concretely, at the Japanese restaurant, his instructions are clear: “12 sushi, no cheese, that’s it”. At an Italian restaurant, he recommends limiting yourself to one slice of pizza rather than finishing the entire pizza. As for Asian cuisine: “the spring rolls are no, the rest yes”. Finally, at fast food, he believes that the problem does not necessarily come from the burger but above all from what accompanies it. Its rule is therefore summarized as follows: “burgers yes, fries no”. In short, easy to remember benchmarks.
You will have understood, the specialist reminds that a slimming program must allow you to maintain a normal life and enjoyment at the table. The restaurant is therefore not an obstacle to be avoided, but an everyday situation to be tamed. His message is finally contained in a few words: “Choose, not suffer.”
