Saturday, January 3, 2009

Healthy Diet Tips That Work

By Diane Sharf

Lay the groundwork to lose 10 pounds! By paying attention to the amount of food you eat, eliminating unnecessary sugar and fat from your foods and making sure you include absolutely delicious meals and snacks to keep your taste buds happy.

Most easy-to-use weight loss programs use a balanced and flexible diet. Contrive to, however, first by focusing on losing the first 10 pounds and then shoot for the next 10 pounds.

Top secrets to lose weight suggest you keep track of everything you eat and drink. No need to estimate calories just write down the type of food or beverage and the amount. Cut your fat intake in half, that means half as much margarine or butter on toast, vegetables and your muffin, half the mayonnaise on your sandwich, and half the oil in the pan when you saute foods. You get the idea!

If you're not currently using skim milk, reduce the level of fat content in the milk you use. For example, if you currently use two percent, use only one percent. If you insist on whole milk, try two percent. And drink tea.

Use cottage cheese, chicken, fish, eggs or yogurt, legumes or peanuts. Begin planning easy-to-follow meatless lunches and dinners each week and try to make meatless more of a habit. Also limit your sugar treats to only a few a week.

Eat at least two servings of fresh fruit every day. Choose whatever type of fruit is in season. Instead of fruit juice for breakfast or snack, drink water. Add a slice of lemon or lime for zest. Include two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner, for a total of at least four servings per day.

Kill the thought the eating food or snacks while watching TV. Many studies show that people watching TV and eating tend to eat more and opt for higher calorie snacks high in fat and sugar.

Chew your calories. Don't consume liquids rife with calories by drinking them. That means cutting out soda and high-calorie fruit juices and drinking tea or water instead. Plan ahead what you are going to eat. Last-minute planning tends to veer you off your diet. - 15343

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