ANOTHER TRICK: 
Call in your order around midafternoon instead of after work, when you’re tired, stressed, famished, and more likely to make unhealthy choices.
I love to order takeout, especially on Friday night, when, like a lot of people, I’ve lost interest in home cooking as the week wore on. But you have to be careful with takeout; it can be loaded with fat and calories.
Make takeout lighter and leaner by adding quick ingredients from home, such as a bag of prewashed salad greens or microwavable frozen or canned vegetables. I add vegetables to my takeout all the time—usually at a half-and-half ratio.
CALORIES SAVED: 100 TO 200.
Eat salad first. Salads are filling, so start your meal with one. You’ll be less tempted to eat all that takeout.
CALORIES SAVED: 100 TO 125.
Many takeout servings are huge portions, so order one entrée to split between two or three people.
CALORIES SAVED: 200 TO 500.
If salad dressing comes with the meal, let it decant (most restaurants use cheap oils anyway); then pour off the oil and use what’s left in the bottom.
CALORIES SAVED: UP TO 100.
Call in your order around midafternoon instead of after work, when you’re tired, stressed, famished, and more likely to make unhealthy choices.