After a long week, all you want to do is have fun. Be it a movie night at a friends, going to the bars, or going to the hottest house party, leaving the pad and going out for the night is more than a little fun.

Perhaps one of the best places to go out with friends is a restaurant. Going out to eat is one of the oldest pastimes but continues to be one of the hottest social activities. Italian, Indian, Thai, even Starbucks are all great places to make a social date.

But what if you’re trying to eat healthier? Or what if you’re on a diet? Can you still eat out?

The answer is, of course, yes. You can still go out to eat and not break the scale. As someone who likes to eat healthy myself, I sampled a few restaurants in the University District to see if it was actually possible to eat healthy.

My first restaurant: Chipotle. Known for their mondo burritos and fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder this is a favorite spot among college students. The prices are also pretty decent: about $5 for a big meal.

Besides having the typical burrito, Chipotle offers salads, which consist of lettuce, meat, cheese, beans and dressing, as well as burrito bowls, which are basically burritos without the tortilla. Surprisingly, it was a very filling meal: I didn’t even miss the tortilla.

The best thing about Chipotle though is that you are in charge of what you get. If you don’t want cheese or sour cream, you don’t have to have them. You can eat what you want with all the flavors you want without having to sacrifice everything.

Thai food is prominent around the University District. Deciding what to order is hard enough without having to worry about whether or not it is waist-friendly.

One of my favorite Thai dishes is pad Thai. It’s a yummy blend of rice noodles, egg, a little bit of onion and a blend of sauces and spices. It is usually served with rice as well, to diminish some of the spiciness. Although it is tasty, it can be a little carbohydrate heavy.

One way to help with that is to skip the rice or order brown instead of white. Restaurants such as the Thaiger Room offer brown rice. It’s a great way to get whole grains and to ingest good carbs.

Holding the egg and/or having half your order boxed up is another way to cut calories. With less food on your plate, you will eat less and have a meal for later. Best of all, you can still enjoy Thai food without having to worry about ruining your diet.

Another classic meal is a sandwich. In particular, Jimmy John’s on the Ave makes excellent sub sandwiches. Meat, cheese, mustard and lettuce — they have it all.

One way to minimize calories is to skip the mayonnaise. If you must have it, make it a half sandwich. Stick more toward lean meats, such as turkey or ham, and try to stay away from the bacon. Moderation is key though, so if it’s a must-have, eat it on a half sandwich.

Even if you are on a diet, or simply want to eat healthier, eating out can be a reality. Make smart choices, eat only until you are full, and forego unhealthy ingredients when possible.