Experts have many tips for curbing appetites and cutting calories in a realistic and somewhat enjoyable fashion. When I first encountered them I thought it really couldn’t be this easy and tasty to drop calories from the menu. When you consider these tips you’ll find it’s true. It shouldn’t be hard to add these tips to your new lifestyle.
o Eat breakfast. Include eggs. Apparently studies show that if you eat breakfast you are more likely to stick to a diet because you won’t get hungry ad soon. Eggs, being a protein, help because proteins stay with you longer than carbohydrates. Breakfast, as well as every meal should be a combination of protein, some carbohydrates and a touch of fat so you’ll feel satisfied.
o Keep it up on the weekends. Weekends are tough because we think we owe it to ourselves for being good all week. But why undo in two days what took you five to achieve. Plan your weekend menus to include a treat that fits in with your goal.
o Don’t miss meals to enjoy a big one later. This goes along with the last point. If you miss breakfast and lunch because you know you’re going out in the evening you are most likely going to make some really bad choices that will take you back a couple of rungs from your goal. Especially the rich desserts call me when I’m really splurging. Major downfall for me.
o Enjoy some of the things you really love-just don’t get too carried away. Denying yourself of the foods you love makes the journey way too difficult. A better choice would be to enjoy some of the things you really want in a very controlled amount. This will be very important during the holidays and special events. I know my house is usually filled with Christmas cookies. But last year I continued to lose weight through the holidays because I limited myself to two cookies after dinner with a glass of milk. I determined to really enjoy those two cookies and didn’t hurry through them.
o Eat foods high in water and fiber content. More and more I’ve seen that the diets are calling for more fruits and vegetables. And even encouraging you to eat more fresh, uncooked vegetables and fruits. This is one thing that really helps me in my weight control. Eating cut up apples or carrot sticks helps you to curb your appetite between meals with a healthy alternative snack. The veggies provide nutrients and water. Plus, the fiber will help you feel more full along with some other benefits to your general health. Also, when you eat foods your body was created to eat, like the fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, beans and other unprocessed foods, it helps to control the hunger signals that cause your appetite to go haywire.
o Watch artificial sweeteners as well as sugar. Plain sugar is bad because: 1) It has no nutritional value and 2) it digests way too quickly. You’ll be hungry too soon. Artificial sweeteners are not any better because the body sees them the same as sugar. I read about a study that showed that rats consuming sweetener rather than sugar actually ate more. Something to consider. When you cut down the sugar in your diet for a period of time you will gain some energy but you will also begin to taste the natural sweetness in foods. You will find you don’t want or need as much sugar as you used to.
o Beverage calories add up, too. Drinks don’t fill you up as much as food but they will have calories that figure into your daily total. Therefore, if lunch is supposed to only be 300 or 400 calories that cola, juice or even diet cola is going to put the whammy on your calorie count. Consider plain water or water with a twist of lemon as an alternative. No calories and very refreshing.
So, here are some appetite curbing, calorie cutting suggestions to help you in your goal to lose weight and shape up.
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