Why is it that so many dates revolve around eating? We make a date for dinner, meet for brunch on weekends, and there's even the dating club "It's Just Lunch". All that eating out in the name of falling in love can lead to weight gain - unless you follow these five tips:

• Remember why you're eating: to get to know someone new, potentially interesting, and possibly exciting. Food isn't the primary focus of this meal. Keep your attention on the person you're with and you'll naturally eat less.
• Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, in the third edition of her practical book Eat Out, Eat Right, recommends that you order foods the way you want them. For example, ask for a baked potato instead of french fries, or extra veggies instead of polenta, or mustard instead of mayo on a sandwich. You'll look confident and self-assured to your date, and your waistline will thank you.
• Dr. Jo Lichten, PhD, RD, recommends easy ways to stay trim even when you eat at a fast food restaurant. In her book Dining Lean, she suggests limiting the extas: cheese (100 calories per slice), bacon (45 calories per slice), or sauteed mushrooms (110 calories per 1/4 cup).
• Give up your membership in the clean plate club. Instead of eating everything served, leave a few bites of each food uneaten. You won't miss a couple of bites of roasted chicken, or even the fabulous garlic mashed potatoes.
• Finally, go easy on alcohol. Drinking too much sends the wrong first impression, plus it sends calories directly to your waistline. Order a glass of wine instead of sharing a bottle, or if you enjoy a cocktail before your meal stick with water during the meal.