Some (not so) Silly Diet Tips and Why They're Not
At first glance some of these diet tips may seem downright silly. You may find yourself thinking, "That's couldn't possibly make enough of a difference. Plus I'd feel silly doing it." I have a response to those negative thoughts. First, the longest journey begins with a single step. And second, would you rather feel silly being overweight and unfit or doing something about it?
Diet Tip 1: Fidget
Every little movement burns calories. Twiddle your thumbs. Squeeze one of those little exercise balls while you watch TV to burn calories and tone your arms at the same time. Take that more distant parking spot. Walk wherever possible. Even if you have physical limitations, you can tailor a program to your needs. Move whatever you can, whenever and wherever you can. And just think - laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
Diet Tip 2: Portions and Proportions
Pay attention to portion sizes according to the eating plan you choose. Use a normal size plate ? don't supersize it! One plan suggests that ? of the plate should contain protein and the rest should be fruits and vegetables. You can weigh your food, at least until you become attuned to proper portion sizes or use some of the simple guidelines like "3 oz. of protein is about the size of your palm or a deck of playing cards" or "one serving of rice is the size of a tennis ball".
Diet Tip 3: Eat More Slowly
This allows your body the several minutes it takes to signal your brain that it is full.
Diet Tip 4: Substitute Low Calorie Density Foods for High
Choose foods with a low calorie density ? foods that have fewer calories relative to their weight. "If you decrease the energy density of your diet,
caloric intake will decline", says Barbara Rolls, professor of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University and co-author along with Robert Barnett of The Volumetrics Eating Plan.
Think lower cal fruits, vegetables like salad greens and broths. What these foods have in common is the magic diet ingredient, water! Water has zero calories, so the more volume represented by water, the less room there is for calories. Water also creates a feeling of fullness, helping one to eat less.
Fiber is another low calorie density food. In this category, we again find many fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, such as whole wheat bread or pasta, whole grain cereals and brown rice. A study at Tufts University in Boston found that increasing daily fiber intake by 14 grams resulted in a
10% decrease in total calorie intake and a weight loss averaging one pound a month. This is a very small diet change to make. Substitute about 28 calories of fiber for some high calorie density food you have been eating.
Diet Tip 5: Be Aware of What You Eat
Keep a food diary (and be brutally honest ? no one else needs to see it). Don't forget the spoon that you licked while putting away the leftovers or the sampling(s) you had while adjusting the seasoning. The purpose is not only to monitor your food intake but to identify what circumstances tempt you to overeat or eat unhealthily. Keep a food diary long enough and patterns will start to emerge.
Diet Tip 6: Try New Spices and Herbs in Place of Butter and Salt
Try some new spices and herbs and cut back on the butter and salt. You might be surprised to learn the antioxidant strength of some herbs ? another reason to add more to your diet. When food tastes different or more flavorful, we tend to savor it more and eat more slowly.
Diet Tip 7: Add Variety
Along the same lines, The American Dietetic Association recommends increasing variety. Occasionally adding a single new food to your routine can end monotony and increase nutrition.
This year's ADA "Get a Taste for Nutrition" campaign suggests adding a new fruit, vegetable or grain to your shopping list each week. Among its suggestions: kumquat, passion fruit and pomegranate for fruits; kohlrabi, bok choy, jicama and parsnip from the vegetable aisle; and quinoa, flaxseed, amaranth and bulgur for new grains.
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.
Jean Bowler is a life long fitness freak. She was a ballet dancer and teacher, a private fitness trainer and more. Visit her site, http://www.ageless-beauty.com for advice on diet and nutrition, skin care and more.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..You have heard enough about losing weight with various means... Read More
I don't know anything about you but if you're anything... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
If you are into herbs and natural cures, you've undoubtedly... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
When we discover that we are heavier than we want... Read More
Are you feeling down and out? Do you feel even... Read More
Gastric-bypass surgery is only the first step many morbidly obese... Read More
Although it is obviously not possible to turn the clock... Read More
Cleansing: How to Kickstart your Alkaline LifestyleDue to the highly... Read More
Permanent Weight loss is not about Diet. If you are... Read More
New Years Resolutions do not work because you are really... Read More
The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even... Read More
Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More
Low Carb, Low Fat, More protein, Eat all the fat... Read More
Adverse Events with Volumetrics Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More
You may not like what I have to say, even... Read More
When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More
Cellulite is a condition for which cures are commonly sought.... Read More
If you have recently found yourself fretting over your child's... Read More
I learned about gaining weight when I heard the question... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..The first rule for successful weight loss and weight maintenance... Read More
At the beginning of December, WeightWatchers.com announced the release of... Read More
Did you say there's a way I can eat what... Read More
Did you know that what you're eating could be making... Read More
MYTH: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.FACT: Fad diets... Read More
Are you unhappy with your current weight but aren't "motivated"... Read More
Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or... Read More
Sometimes it's good to just let the feelings flow. Take... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
The market is flooded with weight loss supplements that make... Read More
The 8-Week Campaign to Survive the HolidaysEating preparations in the... Read More
--ONE--Learn how to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content... Read More
Not so resolved on that "New Year's Resolution" to be... Read More
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware... Read More
In order to identify hunger, you must first understand what... Read More
Weight loss surgery is fast becoming a very popular way... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
There are lots of dieters, trying every sort of plan... Read More
Today, Ephedra is an herb of controversy. It contains ephedrine,... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
Spring is here and swimsuit weather is just around the... Read More
The scourge of obesity has reached such gigantic proportions across... Read More
Let me tell you something - if you are doing... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
The right diet pill should be carefully considered when deciding... Read More
Weight Loss |