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Food

The One Thing You Shouldn't Do When Eating In A Restaurant Right Now, According To Health Experts

May 23, 2020 by Justine Schwartz
shefinds | Food
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As restaurants in many states begin to reopen, there will be more than just curbside pick-up or takeout available for the first time in months. With dining rooms and patios opening for service, albeit limited and with new restrictions, it might start to feel like pre-COVID life in many ways.

But before you go and make reservations all over town, remember that there are some obvious pitfalls to restaurant dining that may lead to further spread of the virus, experts warn. Here’s what you need to know:

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"Interior of a restaurant dining area"

READ MORE: This Is The Worst Mistake You Can Make When COVID Restrictions Are Relaxed, According To Health Experts

 

"Avoid the restroom," warns professor of public health at Ball State University, Jagdish Khubchandani, when asked which parts of the dine-in experience should be avoided at all costs.

"Outdoor restaurant seating area"

"These are high-traffic area and host the most infectious disease agents," he explains. That make sense!

 

READ MORE: The One Thing Experts Say You Should NEVER Do When Grocery Shopping

 

What else do experts warn against when it comes to restaurant dining in COVID-19?

"Cozy restaurant interior with tables"

Consider skipping the dine-in experience altogether and sticking to take-out a little bit longer, Dr. Stephen Loyd, M.D. and Chief Medical Director at JourneyPure, suggests.

 

"Ordering takeout is a much safer option than dining in a restaurant right now," he advises.

"Restaurant dining setup with plates and cutlery"

Additionally, nutrition is still a factor and expert warn that you shouldn't go off the deep end when it comes to eating restaurant food in general. Even though it's tempting to order the most delicious items on the menu, proper nutrition is always something that health experts advise.

 

"We are trying to support our local restaurants to keep them in business during this pandemic, and that is not a bad thing," certified health and wellness coach Lynell Ross says. "However, balancing healthy home cooked meals with eating out is wise to make sure we get all the nutrition we need."

 

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Editorial Director

Justine Schwartz is a veteran women's lifestyle editor; she's written extensively about style & beauty tips, health advice and wedding planning. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Huffington Post and New York Weddings. Justine has been with SheFinds since 2010; you can reach her via email at Justine@shefinds.com.

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Aldi street taco meal prep with diced chicken.
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Woman drinking green tea while working from home.
Greek yogurt parfait topped with assorted fresh fruits.
Pouring coffee into a cup during morning routine.
Cooking crispy bacon in a frying pan.
Entrance view of an Aldi supermarket.
High-protein breakfast plate with eggs and meats.
Blueberry chia pudding served in a glass bowl.
Poached eggs with herbed yogurt and spiced olive oil.
Pretzel-coated chicken cutlets ready to serve.
Healthy breakfast bowl filled with berries and chia seeds.
Doctor discussing GLP-1 medications with a patient.
Soda display in a grocery store aisle.
Woman enjoying a donut as a late-night snack.
Healthy banana nice cream dessert topped with fresh fruits.
Variety of seeds displayed, not pastries, promoting healthy snacking.
Grocery store aisle featuring sugar and artificial sweeteners options.
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Sipping on refreshing spearmint tea in a cozy setting.