Chew On This: Nutrition Tips
Fruits and vegetables are the best thing to eat when getting into shape. Apples, for example, do a good job at making the stomach feel full for up to 3 to 4 hours. Green vegetables such as green beans and broccoli keep the digestive system clean and running.
Next time your family decides to make an ice-cream run, don’t worry about being left out of the fun! Order an ice cream sundae, piled high with diced kiwi, pineapple, and strawberries. You’ll get a serving of yummy fruit and satisfy a craving.
Chewing gum between meals has been found to decrease appetite and reduce food cravings. Just be sure to choose a gum that has no added sugar.
Water can help you lose weight and keep it off. H2O increases your metabolism and helps fill you up before meals.
Go ahead and satisfy that sweet tooth with some Dark chocolate. It reduces calorie consumption, has heart-healthy flavonoids and reduces the risk of heart disease. Dark Chocolate also reduces the desire to indulge in diet sabotaging sweets.
Eat foods that are closest to their natural state as possible. Aim for whole, fresh foods in a rainbow of colors.
Munching on your lunch while at the computer could lead to mindless grazing and lots of extra calories. So carve out 20 minutes a day and eat in your conference room or outdoors on a nice day.
If you work outside the home, try to pack your own lunch. It will help you have a nutritious meal and avoid falling into the trap of eating any junk food from outside. Also, it will be cost-effective. A win-win!
Some days, we don’t have the time or energy to cook a meal. Whatever the case may be, create a list of local spots that serve healthy food— stops that are close to your home, workplace or the gym. This way, you can treat yourself to eating out without sacrificing your nutrition.
Meal prepping is a great way to ensure you stick to healthy foods. When we’re strapped for time, we tend to grab food that is quick, convenient — and unhealthy. By meal prepping, you can plan and prepare your meals a week in advance, so you don’t have to deal with cooking in the middle of a hectic schedule.
Eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day should be at the cornerstone of your healthy diet plan. A good way to vary your five-a-day is to eat different colors, as the hue is a decent indication of the nutrients they contain.
During your next grocery store run, be sure to place these top three diet-friendly items in your cart: balsamic vinegar- it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads, in-shell nuts- their protein and fiber keep you feeling full, and fat-free plain yogurt- a creamy, comforting source of protein.
Got a late-night sugar craving that just won’t quit? Think ‘fruit first,’ like a sliced apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.
Does your steak take up more than half your plate? Think about cutting your serving of beef in half. That’s because it’s best to try and fill half your plate with veggies or a mixture of veggies and fresh fruit so you can get a healthy mix of proteins, fats, and carbs.
If you know you’ll be imbibing in more than one drink, try to order a glass water between cocktails to help curb the calories. But your H20 doesn’t have to be boring. Make it festive by ordering the sparkling variety with plenty of fruit, like a lime, lemon, and orange wedge in a martini or highball glass.
Feeling guilty about that giant ice cream sundae you enjoyed last night? Don’t; it takes a lot of calories—like 3,500—to gain a pound of body fat. So really, that one off day doesn’t usually result in any significant weight gain…just don’t make it a nightly habit.
It’s hard to avoid that 3 p.m. stomach rumble. And while it’s fine to eat something to hold you over until dinner, some choices may be better than others. So instead of running to the vending machine, try fruit or sliced veggies dipped in hummus.
Add red pepper to meals to kick up fat burning. Capsaicin, which gives hot peppers their zing, can cause a small, temporary increase in metabolism. Keep in mind it would take quite a bit of spice to have any major effect on weight, but every little bit helps!
Despite being high in fat, nuts are incredibly nutritious and healthy. They’re loaded with magnesium, vitamin E, fiber, and various other nutrients. Studies demonstrate that nuts can help you lose weight and may help fight type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Love your morning Coffee? Well that’s a good thing because it’s high in antioxidants, and studies have linked coffee intake to longevity and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and numerous other illnesses.