Dieting sucks. There’s nothing worse than feeling deprived and hungry. Instead of starving yourself and eliminating entire food groups, rethink what it means to be healthy. These five tips will keep you slim, trim, and satisfied.
1. I’ll Take the Side Plate.
The smaller your plate, the less you’ll eat. Downsize to a side plate and drastically cut down your calorie intake. Do this on a daily basis and redefine the way you eat.
2. Plan It Out.
Sit down with your family every Sunday evening and plan your meals, write it down for the week including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hit up the grocery store and buy exactly, and only, what you’ll need making sure you have a healthy and well-planned week.
3. Eat Like the Okinawas.
Okinawa is an island in Japan where people have a rule to stop eating when they are 80 percent full. This tactic was popularized by CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta who dropped nearly 20 pounds by following the same rule.
4. 50 Percent Fruits and Veggies.
A great rule for getting your five to nine USDA-required fruit and veggie servings is to fill half your plate with produce at every meal. Fill half your cereal or oatmeal bowl with fruits and pair your lunchtime sandwich, or half-sandwich with fruit or a saide salad.
5. The Simpler the Better.
The more ingredients you consume, the more calories you consume. Whenever you’re cooking, try to simplify your dishes and use spices to add flavor. The same goes for packaged food, the shorter the list of ingredients, the better it is for you.
Edited by Malu Banuelos