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.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carAs we look around at the current generation of children,... Read More
ATTITUDESIT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!Exercising has so many physical benefits that... Read More
R...real foodE...exerciseS...spiritual stuff first and the other stuff secondU...ultimately, you... Read More
Which diet is the best? ALL of them and NONE... Read More
To lose weight and keep it off you need an... Read More
After the post-Halloween sugar surge, everyone coaches you to get... Read More
Breaking Down Cravings One at a TimeI know you've heard... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
I'm sick of all the fad diets I see people... Read More
For the past 20 years, the American public has been... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
In the old West tricksters sold a snake oil to... Read More
In the medical community, "obesity" is generally said to be... Read More
One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
For some of us, food is warmth and love. We... Read More
The holidays are definitely a special time of year. These... Read More
When you are faced with the daily challenge of trying... Read More
Want to shed that beer belly? Why not try the... Read More
Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
We think we know everything there is to know about... Read More
Cleansing: How to Kickstart your Alkaline LifestyleDue to the highly... Read More
What the Diet Industry Does Not Want You To Know:... Read More
It comes as a surprise to many consumers that the... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More
I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More
Have you ever stopped to calculate how much time you... Read More
More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More
An ancient practice from Eastern Medicine, bowel cleansing is fast... Read More
It's the travel time, meaning hours spent sedentary. It prepares... Read More
The revolution is here. Weight Loss as we know it... Read More
Welcome to bodybuilding weightloss exercise tips!This is the engine room... Read More
The goal of many athletes and exercisers is to "get... Read More
When it comes to weight loss, most of us would... Read More
Over the last twenty five years the most common questioned... Read More
"Polyols" or sugar alcohols are a number of different carbohydrates... Read More
Natural therapies uphold the importance of minerals, vitamins and herbs... Read More
For those of you who aren't familiar with ephedra let... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
Cleansing: How to Kickstart your Alkaline LifestyleDue to the highly... Read More
Do a little people-watching, next time you're in the grocery... Read More
Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More
THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More
Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More
How much will power does it take in order to... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
What is the relationship between intake of nutrition and metabolism... Read More
Are you one of the many who may be tempted... Read More
Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid... Read More
Weight Loss |