5 easy diet tips

It starts with a New Year’s Resolution, gets lost around Valentine’s Day, kicked back into gear with summer, falls off at Labor Day and finally is found again before the holiday party season: Diets. Avoid the late year panic by incorporating these changes now.

Think about adding to your diet, not taking away.

Five to nine fruits and vegetables every day are recommended but few of us really make it. You can always throw a few extra veggies into a whole wheat pasta dish or a handful of fruit into your oatmeal. Focusing on what you add rather than take away to attain your goals.

Are you really hungry?

Sometimes your body interprets thirst as hunger. Try a big calorie free drink before snacking. Eat slowly so you know when you’re full. Take emotional inventory before binging.

Meet your treats outside your home.

Don’t bring ice cream in the house. Work for it. Either walk or drive, but go to the treat.

Make sure there is protein with every meal.

Protein is good for the body, sure, but it also takes longer to digest so it lingers in the stomach maintaining a sense of fullness. Try a low fat cheese stick as a snack. Have the boiled egg for a breakfast on the run. Hummus on celery is an excellent munchie.

Order off the kids’ menu.

Restaurants continue to serve extra large portions in order to give their customers a sense of value. That’s fine, unless you eat it all instead of boxing the leftovers. A sneaky work around is to order off the kids’ menu. Their portions are smaller and, with more attention on healthful alternatives, you can find some great food choices.

Source: WebMD