Monday, February 25, 2008

Make Healthy Eating a Habit

WebMD gives incredible insights into health and fitness so when I came across their "Top 9 Diet Tips Ever", I had to share. These are simple ways to make healthy eating a lifestyle not a diet.

1. Drink plenty of water and other calorie free beverages
- Don’t mistake thirst for hunger. (Check out the previous blog!)

2. Be choosey about nighttime snacks
-Munching in front of the TV can throw your diet of course. Many companies make “100-calorie packs” helping you to snack smart.

3. Enjoy your favorite foods.
-Don’t be afraid to indulge in a cookie, or your favorite bag of candy every occasionally, but the key is moderation. (Remember: not every day and not in large amounts!)

4. Eat several small meals throughout the day.
- "Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight," says obesity researcher Dr. Rebecca Reeves, RD.

5. Eat protein at every meal.
-Protein is a fill-me-up food and satisfies longer. It also helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning. (Lean meats, yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans are great sources.)

6. Spice it up.
-Foods loaded with flavor stimulate the taste buds and satisfy more so you tend to eat less.

7. Stock up with healthy and convenient foods.
-Buy foods that you can throw into a meal in ten minutes or less. Healthy essentials: frozen vegetables, whole-grain pasta, reduced-fat cheese, canned tomatoes, canned beans, pre-cooked grilled chicken breast, whole grain tortillas or pitas, and bags of salad greens.

8. At restaurants order kids meals or split an entree.
-Portions are often much too large and high in calories, control it by ordering off the kids menu or splitting a meal.

9. Swap a cup of pasta, for a cup of vegetables.
-"You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," says Dr. Cynthia Sass of the American Dietetic Association.

Remember that these tips are not just diet fixes, they should be applied in everyday living. True, long-term weight loss comes with a healthy lifestyle. Want to know if your daily eating habits are healthy? Take WebMD’s quiz and find out!

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