Are you tired of dieting? If you are then try a few of
these tips to get started on better eating habits for long
term success with weight loss. You will find simple
lifestyle changes such as quick and easy breakfast ideas,
smart snacks, and food label tips. They may not sound
magical - but they do work!
1. Breakfast Basics
Getting into the habit of eating breakfast gets you and
your metabolism on a regular schedule and our bodies do
better with a routine. For quick and easy breakfasts try a
piece of fruit, granola bar, yogurt, hardboiled egg on
toast, English muffin with peanut butter, a smoothie,
cereal, frozen waffles, oatmeal, or even just a glass of
milk or juice.
2. Lunch List
Planning ahead is the key to having a healthy lunch. You
can take a turkey sandwich and chips or fruit from home for
500 calories or go to a restaurant and order a sandwich and
fries for 600 calories or more just in the sandwich. Make
a list of foods you would like for lunches. Wraps, popcorn,
cheese & crackers, or premixed salads can make a quick,
healthy lunch.
3. Supper Slim-Down
This is often the meal where we often overeat because we
haven't eaten enough during the day and we are starving by
supper time. There are many tricks you can use here but
finding a way to eat smaller portions and lower calorie
foods is the goal for weight loss. Try these suggestions .
. .
* Use a smaller plate
* Keep the serving dishes off the table
* Make it a rule not to eat while watching TV
* Eat slower and pay attention to the flavor of food
4. Snack Smarts
When we start eating less at meals it is normal to get
hungry between meals. Snacks can help your body control
weight and help prevent overeating at meals. 100-200
calories for a snack is generally a healthy range.
Yogurts, fruit, raw veggies, whole grain crackers, pudding,
an ounce of nuts, or 5-6 cups popcorn lightly buttered are
all snack ideas that are also good sources of nutrients. If
you are craving some "junk food" then for 100-200 calories
you could have a snack size candy bar, 4-5 hard candies, 3
caramels, 5-6 Hershey's kisses, 4 licorice twists, a 20oz
cappuccino made with low fat milk, 1 envelope hot cocoa mix
with water or low fat milk, or 15-20 chips.
5. Beverage Balance
Be sure you are not drinking too many calories. To lose
weight and still get necessary nutrients you will not have
room for many caloric beverages other than low fat milk.
Drinks other than small amounts of juice should be a treat.
Think of soda pop as liquid candy. The acid and sugar eat
away at your teeth and the calories can sabotage your
weight loss efforts without giving you any nutrition. Next
time you reach for the 20oz soda at the store remember you
are getting over 15 teaspoons of sugar.
6. Restaurant Rules
Set some new rules for yourself when eating out. I try to
limit how often I eat out to once a week or less.
Restaurant meals are usually 2-3 times the recommended
calorie amount and are generally high in fat and sodium.
When you do order out try these ideas to keep your calorie
intake close to your goal:
* Share a meal with someone
* Ask for a to-go container right away & portion before you
eat
* Avoid fried foods & skip the appetizer
* Ask for sauces, butter and dressings on side
* Order thin crust pizza instead of thick crust
* Remember alcohol is high calorie also
7. Diet Deletion
Stop looking for the magic pill or quick-fix diet because
it does not exist. What have been proven to work time after
time are changing eating and activity habits and practicing
those changes until they become our new lifestyle. Diets
are temporary, restrictive and mess up our body's
metabolism so that each time we try to lose weight it gets
more difficult.
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Karen Marschel, RD, LD, CDE is a registered licensed
dietitian and certified diabetes educator with 15 years
experience helping clients lose weight and manage diabetes.
She offers online personalized weight loss and nutrition
programs at her website http://www.DietMN.com . Sign up for
her free monthly newsletter for more tips on nutrition and
weight loss, and to receive updates on special offers.
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