Many dieters reach their weight loss goals by severely restricting fat or calories, but gain the pounds back within a few months. People can only exercise their willpower for so long and tend to revert to junk food. The smart way to slim down is to eat wholesome meals that will naturally lower your daily calorie intake. Weight loss consultants offer the following tips for adopting healthy eating habits.
Fiber is your friend. Studies show that people who eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to be overweight. Foods rich in fiber take longer to chew and digest and will leave you feeling full. The fiber itself is not absorbed by the body. Fruits and vegetables have higher amounts if eaten unpeeled and raw. To get fiber from cereals, breads and pasta, switch to wholegrain.
Start your day with protein. Many people who are dieting eat a breakfast of cereal and skim milk. This can result in a mid-morning drop in blood sugar causing hunger, fatigue and cravings. A much healthier morning meal is based around eggs. A medium egg contains only 85 calories and is a great source of protein and nutrients. A two egg omelet with spinach and mushrooms comes in at under 300 calories.
Don't purchase battered or breaded foods. Products such as fish sticks or chicken nuggets are often served as the protein element of a meal. In fact, they are high in unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates. A 100 gram chicken burger contains less protein than an equal weight of skinless chicken breast and more than twice the calories. You can roast the breast for your sandwich in the same time it takes to cook the frozen burger.
Avoid addictive snacks. Foods made up of starch fried in oil and topped with salt are hard to stop eating. It's common for dieters to grab a couple of potato or corn chips and go on to eat the full bag. Starchy snacks that are baked rather than fried have about half the calories. Try wholegrain crackers or pretzels. Or eat roasted, salted nuts for a crunchy snack with protein and fiber.
Eat the whole fruit. Many people see fruit juice as a healthy alternative to soft drinks. In fact it tends to be just as fattening. A glass of apple juice has more calories than same amount of cola. Both pack a whooping ten teaspoons of sugar. Because whole fruit is high in fiber, some of its calories will be burned as you chew and digest it.
Don't let the low fat label fool you. Processed diet foods with less fat than the natural versions rarely help people to lose weight. In order to replace the lost flavor, manufacturers add extra chemicals, sugar and starch. Unless you immediately burn them off, your body stores these sugars and starches as fat. They also raise your blood sugar, meaning your hunger is only satisfied temporarily.
Weight loss consultants agree that of you want to stay slim for life, you need to change your eating habits. Cut out processed food products and eat more natural foods. Cook nutritious meals from fresh produce. Simply making healthier choices could cut your intake by about 200 calories a day.
Fiber is your friend. Studies show that people who eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to be overweight. Foods rich in fiber take longer to chew and digest and will leave you feeling full. The fiber itself is not absorbed by the body. Fruits and vegetables have higher amounts if eaten unpeeled and raw. To get fiber from cereals, breads and pasta, switch to wholegrain.
Start your day with protein. Many people who are dieting eat a breakfast of cereal and skim milk. This can result in a mid-morning drop in blood sugar causing hunger, fatigue and cravings. A much healthier morning meal is based around eggs. A medium egg contains only 85 calories and is a great source of protein and nutrients. A two egg omelet with spinach and mushrooms comes in at under 300 calories.
Don't purchase battered or breaded foods. Products such as fish sticks or chicken nuggets are often served as the protein element of a meal. In fact, they are high in unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates. A 100 gram chicken burger contains less protein than an equal weight of skinless chicken breast and more than twice the calories. You can roast the breast for your sandwich in the same time it takes to cook the frozen burger.
Avoid addictive snacks. Foods made up of starch fried in oil and topped with salt are hard to stop eating. It's common for dieters to grab a couple of potato or corn chips and go on to eat the full bag. Starchy snacks that are baked rather than fried have about half the calories. Try wholegrain crackers or pretzels. Or eat roasted, salted nuts for a crunchy snack with protein and fiber.
Eat the whole fruit. Many people see fruit juice as a healthy alternative to soft drinks. In fact it tends to be just as fattening. A glass of apple juice has more calories than same amount of cola. Both pack a whooping ten teaspoons of sugar. Because whole fruit is high in fiber, some of its calories will be burned as you chew and digest it.
Don't let the low fat label fool you. Processed diet foods with less fat than the natural versions rarely help people to lose weight. In order to replace the lost flavor, manufacturers add extra chemicals, sugar and starch. Unless you immediately burn them off, your body stores these sugars and starches as fat. They also raise your blood sugar, meaning your hunger is only satisfied temporarily.
Weight loss consultants agree that of you want to stay slim for life, you need to change your eating habits. Cut out processed food products and eat more natural foods. Cook nutritious meals from fresh produce. Simply making healthier choices could cut your intake by about 200 calories a day.
