One of the most common beliefs is that if you want to eat healthy and you want to lose weight, then you need to begin to say “no” to a lot of the things that you love the most. Fortunately, this isn’t entirely accurate! Eating healthy foods doesn’t need to be such a negative experience.
Here are some great ways to be smart about the way that you’re eating so that you’ll be able to say “yes” to more foods that you love while still looking and feeling your very best over time.
The first thing that you need to learn is portion control. You’ve likely heard this before, but it is often considered to be easier said than done. That said, when you use portion size to your best advantage, it can also become a very good friend. Paying attention to your portions can mean that you’ll still be able to work your favorite foods into your regular meals. It just means that you won’t be able to gorge yourself on them. You’ll be able to have an enjoyable amount and still pack the rest of your plate with healthy options that will keep the fat levels on your body under control.
Next, it’s time to stop skipping breakfast. Whoever told you that skipping a meal will help you to lose weight was not doing you any favors. A balanced breakfast gets your metabolism revved up for the rest of the day and helps to prevent overeating in the second half of the day – particularly in the mid afternoon and later in the evening. Moreover, eating at least three meals per day will also help to make sure that you will be able to make better food choices, instead of submitting to the powerful cravings for fats and sweets that occur when you have skipped a meal.
Begin looking at lean proteins as a fantastic part of every meal. These are hunger killers and, at the same time, they won’t eat through too many of your daily calories. Nuts, beans, legumes, seeds, low fat dairy, and lean meats are great ways to fill up on proteins – which help you stay satisfied for much longer than carbs – so that hunger will stay well out of your way. It’s easier to eat healthy that way.
Finally, tell yourself that carbs aren’t the enemy. In fact, some carbs are a requirement for weight loss. Just make sure that when you do eat carbohydrates, you choose to eat healthy ones that count. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be central to any smart, healthy, weight friendly diet.
