5 Weird things that happen to your body when you eat out too much

You're more likely to overeat when dining out than you are when you've prepared your own food. I don't know about you put if I order a full racked or bourbon glazed ribs with sweet potato fries, onion rings, coleslaw with extra dipping sauce - I'm not moving until I finish.

Many restaurants offer freebies such as chips and salsa, or bread and oil, in addition to large entrées and sides that are larger portion sizes than what meet guidelines of any kind, not just official government suggestions.

We all generally understand that eating lots of meals out isn't the best idea and when it comes to what eating out for nearly every meal, as fun as it may sound things can get your body (and wallet) may not enjoy it as much as your tongue does. In general, though, there are some not-so-good consequences, and you'll definitely want to be mindful of them before heading out for yet another meal.

1. Dining out loads make you take in larger portions

I'd like those massive plates you saw in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives paved the way to all restaurants serving the bodyweight of a prepubescent teen on a plate. While the allure of a lot of food on your plate is enticing this confuses the brain and body, making you think that you're still consuming a serving, because that's what you've been served. The reality is that the portion sizes are tremendously greater than they ought to be. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition claimed that individuals who go out to eat end up taking in an average of 200 more calories than those that eat at home.

2. It raises your sodium and cholesterol levels

High levels of sodium and cholesterol in the body increase one's risk of many negative bodily effects ranging from headache to obesity. According to CNBC, "The average sodium of all items among the biggest chains in 2014 was 1,256 milligrams" which is huge considering that 2,300 mg or less per day is the recommendation per US dietary guidelines. The effects on the body of a diet high in sodium include increased blood pressure, dehydration, and potentially kidney disease. You can only imagine how much salt is in a fast food item - sure, they show you now (if you look hard enough), but with the saturated fats and the trans fats you're better off making a version of your favourite fast food at home.

3. It increases your risk of heart disease and stroke

A diet high in fat, cholesterol, and sugar increases one's risk of heart disease. When dining out, there are more temptations to delve into the sugary desserts and condiments, or to splurge with an entree you just can't replicate at home. The extra starchy and meaty items are the ones to be wary of in terms of disease risk. A study from the University of Wurzburg in Germany evaluated the link between protein consumption and stroke risk. They found that the risk of strokes was 41 percent higher in those who consumed 3.3 ounces of red meat each day, compared to those who consumed an average of 1.7 ounces per day. A portion of red meat at a restaurant is typically larger than 3.3 ounces. To try to make heart healthful choices when eating out, Joy Bauer, resident nutrition expert on "TODAY," suggested ordering lean protein sources, picking only one cheat item, watching your liquid calories, and going easy on the condiments.

4. It increases your exposure to phthalates

Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, an associate professor of pediatrics at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington and past chairwoman of the Environmental Protection Agency's Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee, defines phthalates as "a class of synthetic chemicals known as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can affect hormones in the body." It's suspected that foods in restaurants are coming in contact with the chemicals via plastic packaging, food handling gloves, food tubing, and other materials containing phthalates. While phthalates only seem to stay in the body for day, based on your consumption patterns, you may be more at risk dependent upon the quality of your diet.

5. It increases your likelihood to gain weight 

Eating out for lots of meals is associated with a higher percentage of body fat and heavier weight than American adults who prepare foods at home. This is likely due to the convenience of eating on the go, the many options at our fingertips when we choose to dine out, "portion distortion," and the way in which foods in restaurants are prepared, according to Greatist.

When push comes to shove, there are ways to stay on top of your health goals and still enjoy a meal out from time to time, if you're truly serious about losing weight and getting fit. It will take a little time to adjust, to but be patient and you can see change.