Health Tip: Eat Smart

(HealthDay News) -- To avoid overloading on an enormous restaurant portion, follow a few basic principles to chow on a more reasonable serving size.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers this advice:

• Order small or medium portions for any appetizers, sides, drinks and main courses.
• Order a menu item, versus opting for a buffet meal.
• Choose an appetizer or side dish instead of an entree for your meal, or split an entree with a friend.
• If you order an entree, ask for a doggy bag and immediately put half away before you start eating.
• Ignore the "clean plate club" rule, and stop eating when you're full.