While I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, I know how to lose weight--and am equally skilled at gaining it back. By now everybody knows that there's no miracle drug, berry, or diet to slimming down; all it takes is eating less and moving more. In my countless years of losing and gaining and endless hours of reading and researching, I've learned a few nutrition tricks that help keep me in check. These ten tips are a powerful, tried and tested guide to feeling healthy, no matter what the scale says.
1. Drink Lots of Water, Preferably with Lemon: Water with lemon is a great addition to any weight management program. It's a valuable way to help purge toxins, speed up digestion, and boost energy.
2. Say YES to Fruit: Many diet programs encourage cutting out fruit because of its high sugar content. Fruit's high fiber content and natural sweetness make it a great way to curb your cravings.
3. Spice it Up: Adding pepper and spice to food is an effective way to rev your metabolism, improve your digestion, and even increase your blood circulation.
4. Eat More Beans: Beans, from garbanzos to black-eyed, are the perfect fiber-filling addition to your plate and an excellent sub for rice and pasta.
5. Apples + Almond Butter = The Perfect Snack: The carbs and fiber in apples plus the protein and good fat in almond butter make it the perfect, appetite-stifling snack.
6. Eat Less Meat: Reducing your meat intake, especially red meat, is a heart healthy way to cut calories. Choose to eat meat for only one meal a day and consider going meatless for one day a week.
7. Eat Breakfast: Listen to Adelle Davis and, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." A hearty, balanced breakfast is the perfect way to boost your energy and metabolism and ensure you don't binge later.
8. Soup It Up: Soups (not the cream-of type) are a great, filling meal option. Keep a few cans of low-cal, veggie-based soups on hand for a hearty and satisfying meal.
9. Tea Time: Tea, especially white and green tea, is packed with antioxidants and is great for digestion. It's also a great way to trick your body into feeling full and rev your metabolism at the same time.
10. Never Say Never: If you say you're never eating chocolate again, odds are you'll find yourself binging on Kit Kat and Snickers Bars by the time the clock strikes midnight. If you're craving something have a bite, just one guilt-free yet oh-so satisfying bite.