- Diet Tip No. 1: Eat early, eat often
A great way to lose weight without feeling deprived is to eat more
often. Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks each day are
better able to control their appetite. Enjoy most of your mini meals
early in the day. Dinner should be the last meal you eat.
- Diet Tip No. 2: Drink to your health
Wash away your hunger with water. You'll feel fuller and help your
skin look younger and your digestive system work better. Most experts
recommend 64 ounces a day. Tap water works just as well as bottled
for a lot less. A squeeze of lemon or splash of juice adds flavor.
- Diet Tip 3: Our favorite advice
Cutting out your favorite foods sets you up for rebound overeating
and diet failure. The key is moderation. Instead of two Pop Tarts,
have one. Rather than a super-sized fries order a small. You can lose
weight by eating your favorites… just don’t make them
a diet-wrecking daily treat.
- Diet Tip 4: Goodnight bad snacks
Mindless eating often occurs after dinner, when you finally plop
down on the couch and relax in front of the television. Try closing
the kitchen at a certain hour and allow yourself a low-calorie snack,
like a 100-calorie pack of cookies or a half-cup scoop of low-fat
ice cream.
- Diet Tip 5: Turn up the heat!
Meals that are fired up with spices stimulate your taste buds and
cause you to eat less. Add spices or jalapeno peppers to your favorite
dishes for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied. Hot foods
have also been known to kick your metabolism into a higher gear.
- Diet Tip 6: Pump up the protein
Whether it’s from meat or non-meat sources, protein is more
satisfying than carbs or fats. It helps curb appetite and that can
help you lose weight. Getting enough protein also helps preserve muscle
mass. Include healthy protein sources, like yogurt, cheese, nuts,
lean meat or beans at meals and snacks.
- Diet Tip 7: Stock up
Keeping junk food around the house is a great way to sabotage your
diet. Clean out your kitchen and stock only healthy convenience foods.
Having ready-to-eat snacks and quick meals on hand sets you up for
success. You'll be less likely to hit the drive-thru or call for a
pizza.
- Diet Tip 8: Eat like a kid
When dining out, don’t leave your diet at home. Eating healthier
is literally kids’ stuff when you order children’s portions
at your favorite restaurants. A pizza, sandwich or entrée ordered
from the “kiddie menu” is a deliciously easy way to trim
calories and keep portions under control.
- Diet Tip 9: Food-free stress busters
The next time stress day sends you running for the fridge, veer away
and immerse yourself in a food-free stress buster. Try these tactics:
read a few chapters, listen to music, write in a journal, take a few
deep breaths, or look at photos of you at a healthier weight.
- Diet Tip 10: Get movin'!
Warmer weather is at hand. It’s the perfect time to spring off
the couch and out the door for some fresh air and fitness! Physical
activity is good for you whether or not you are trying to lose weight.
You’ll feel better, sleep better and have more energy