13 Dieting Tips That Really Work

Dieting is a very difficult process that requires a lot of discipline. If you go about it wrong, you are likely to have a miserable time and be susceptible to the temptation of unhealthy eating habits. However, dieting can actually be an enjoyable process if you follow these smart tips.

The Power of Water

Drinking a good amount of water is critical in keeping your body healthy. Oftentimes, people confuse thirst with hunger and will overeat instead of drinking a glass of water. And if you aren’t a fan of plain water, try adding a splash of citrus or juice. Infused teas like peach or mango are also a great option.

Question Your Hunger

Some people will turn to food in times of sadness or boredom rather than solely for hunger. If you begin craving food, consider whether it’s arising from hunger or from a different reason. This practice is difficult at first, but after practicing portion control it gets easier to identify your body’s needs.

Adding Not Subtracting

People think that dieting means cutting food out of your life, but you should really think of it as adding in more nutritious foods. Start off by focussing on getting the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies each day, and then experiment on working in other healthy eating options.

Avoid Nighttime Snacks

The problem with eating after dinner is that it is often mindless eating, or sitting at the television and popping in chips or cookies without thinking about how much you’re consuming. To combat this bad habit, close down your kitchen after a certain hour or allow yourself a low-calorie snack.

Mini-Meals

Rather than eating the usual 3 meals a day, break them up into 4-5 small meals or snacks. This method will help keep your hunger at bay by shortening the long wait periods between meals. Divide your daily calories into more than 3 sections and plan to eat each during times when you usually get hungry.

Spice Things Up

Spices or chiles are great things to add to otherwise bland food that can give you a burst of flavor without added calories. The more flavorful your food, the more satisfied you’ll be with it, which will go a long way in curbing your cravings later on.

Eat Your Protein

Protein can become your new secret weapon in weight control. Being more satisfying than carbohydrates and fats, protein-rich diets will keep you feeling full while also building muscle mass and encouraging fat burning. Include healthy protein options like yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans with your daily meals.

Walk For Your Treats

You shouldn’t completely cut your favorite indulgences out of your diet, but you should try keeping them out of your kitchen to avoid temptation. Instead, you can turn a trip to the ice cream parlor into a planned outing with family or friends. This is a fun and sociable way to reward yourself for sticking to your meal plan.

Portion Control

Order children’s portions when you eat out at restaurants, and invest in some smaller plates for your house that hold less food. By putting your food on smaller plates, you’ll trick your brain into seeing more full portions than you are actually eating, which goes a long way in keeping you satisfied.

Stress Alternatives

It’s totally normal to use food to cope with stress, but it’s not necessarily healthy or good for your diet. If you tend to overeat in stressful situations, start to find non-food tactics that can help you deal with them. Reading a book, listening to music, meditating, or even exercising are some healthy tactics that help many people de-stress.

Healthy And Quick

One of the things that causes people to slip into unhealthy eating patterns is that they don’t have time to make a healthy meal or their hunger strikes them immediately and unhealthy food is more accessible. To combat this, keep your kitchen stocked with healthy food you can prepare quickly, such as pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts, washed greens, canned beans, or frozen veggies.

Eat In Season

Many people think fruits or vegetables are off-putting because they’ve never eaten them fresh and in-season. Farmer’s markets are great places to find fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables that will taste much better than store-bought varieties — and they’re healthier too!

Eat What You Love

Even if your favorite food isn’t healthy, you shouldn’t completely cut it out of your diet. Making a certain guilty pleasure completely off limits will actually contribute to “rebound” eating and weight gain later on if you slip up in your diet. Instead, be sure you keep your unhealthy eating in moderation by buying smaller portions than you used to.