Let’s face it, eating at a restaurant is a treat that should be enjoyed.
As such, my general advice will always be to appreciate the food, have fun with the (hopefully) awesome people you get to share it with and pay attention to what you eat the rest of the time, i.e. when you are at home and aren’t confronted with vast choices.

If, however, you do want to make healthy choices when dining, here are my 5 top picks from popular UK chains.
NB, this is correct at the time of writing (January 2020). Menu choices will likely change later in the year.

1. Chicken Nikko Curry/ Yassai Nikko Curry - Wagamama
Packed with nutritious veg, turmeric and served with a side of rice.
Not much to say on this one really, it’s full of healthy ingredients and lots of flavour.
This steaming bowl of curry will also work wonders if you have a cold.
Wagamama is generally a pretty good place to be for a decent bowl/ plate of food. Their ‘Kokoro’ bowls are also awesome.

Image from: https://www.wagamama.com/our-menu

2. Thali - Tamatanga
This quaint Indian is only a small chain at present with locations in Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham but their food choices are super tasty and never short of veg. Veg = nutrients, nutrients = a thumbs up for health.
Their thali is worth a special mention not just for the nutrients but also for epic flavours.
You get two veg dishes plus your own choice of a small curry alongside dhaal, poppadoms, salad, chutney, rice and naan. Think of it as your own personal small scale buffet but with fresh food and you don’t have to fight others for the best choice.
In case you aren’t lucky enough to have a Tamatanga near you then asking your local Indian for their version of a thali may deliver similar results.

3. Chicken/ Veggie Mexican Bowl - Wahaca
Mexican-style street food has a lot going for it if you can mostly skip the deep-fried stuff.
These beautiful bowls cram in more than enough veg to make them a viable option, plus there is rice, avo and a tasty sauce.

4. Spiced Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Falafel Bowl - Bill’s
A tasty vegan plate of food with crunch, sauce, flavour upon flavour and the option to add some protein-packed extras such as chicken or halloumi (the options being non-vegan obviously).
Bill’s is pretty decent at nutritious sides too, including long stem broccoli and a garlicky combo of brussels and spinach.

5. Grains 'n Greens Salad with Grilled Chicken - Nando’s
Nando’s was always going to make the list, because ethics aside, there is nothing wrong with some grilled chicken and a bowl of healthy greens.
The grains ‘n greens salad combines grains with greens (who would’ve thought with a title like that) such as spinach and broccoli. Top it with chicken for the extra protein hit.
If something a little more substantial is your thing then the same salad is also available as a side dish. There are other awesome healthy sides, including saucy spinach, long stem broccoli, macho peas (a firm favourite) and salad.

The final note
It’s possible to get a healthy(ish) meal at most restaurants, just ask for a side of veg or swap the carbs for veg. Remember good nutrition is just about nutrients and the majority of these come from veg. The more the merrier.
Lastly, go for a meal with people you actually like. Us humans are social animals and a very big part of health depends on how you feel. Surround yourself with good people for good vibes and your health will thank you for it.