MIAMI -- Dining out on a diet doesn't have to be a disaster -- especially on the Mt. Sinai South Beach diet.

Many restaurants have menus that include items that will help you stay on the diet without sacrificing taste or the pleasure of dining out. Kristi Krueger took friends to her favorite restaurant, La Brochette, and says that what was on the menu made dieting delicious: appetizers like tabouli stuffed in crisp lettuce leaves, a dip made from eggplant, and hummus – a dip made from ground garbanzo beans – all items on South Beach diet, and Kristi says they are all wonderful.

Dietician Marie Almon recommended the fish, chicken, shellfish or lean beef dishes. Entrees like prime rib and lamb are off limits because they are too fatty. But Almon gives a thumbs-up to a cashew encrusted salmon -- nuts are fine on the Mt Sinai diet. "Especially the almonds and pistachios and cashews," Almon said. "They are all sources of mono-unsaturated fat".

Another source of that heart healthy fat is olive oil something La Brochette's Chef Aboud likes to cook with. He also always puts his sauces on the side – a good idea to request at all restaurants. "Sauce on the side is a wonderful idea because then you can control how much you're taking in. No food is ever going to be totally taboo. It's just moderation," Aboud said.

Dieter Renee Lerch ordered mahi mahi and learned a new dieting trick. "I always stayed away from anything that was sautéed, but I found out today that if it was sauteed in olive oil I could have it that way."

When dining out, say no to potatoes and white rice, and ask for extra vegetables instead. Most chefs are happy to make the adjustment. Other restaurants instead of mashed potatoes may honor a substitution of cous cous, as this restaurant will, a great substitute because you're getting into whole grains.

Red wine in moderation is on the diet and Caesar salad is okay as long as the dressing is on the side. Renee left the table satisfied and amazed how much food is really on the Mt. Sinai South Beach diet.