Trying to lose weight fast? It's easy to say goodbye to that 10 pounds of unwanted fat with some simple diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and have good tasting, fresh and healthy food, including snacks. Snacks being vegetables and fruit.
You don't need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple tips to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to stop working. This is a flexible and balanced plan that you can use as long as you want to.
1. Keep track of everything you eat and drink. You don't have to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will soon find that being more aware of what you eat helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.
2. Cut your intake of all pure or added fats in half. This means using half as much butter or spread on your muffins, bread, toast, and potatoes; half the amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in that frying pan.
3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week...or less. This would include desserts, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, cake, pastries, etc.
4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: fish, beans, chicken, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally, but don't have them every day.
5. Have at least one lunch and dinner each week without meat or cheese. Build these meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase your fiber and reduce your fat.
6. Decrease the fat content in your milk products. If you are drinking whole milk, reduce that to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also make sure it doesn't contain any sugar.
7. Eat at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Pick fruit that's in season.
8. Have water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Don't drink diet soda - the sweet taste only causes you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.
9. Include at least two servings of vegetables for lunch and dinner. If you're getting hungry, have more.
10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you're full and it's very easy to eat too much if you're racing through your meals.
11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You'll find that a grated carrot is way more filling than a whole carrot.
12. Use whole grains when ever you can. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and it will also help your digestion.
13. Pick food that you can chew. Again, this will increase how much fiber you have, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure you have chunky soup.
14. Pick your meals and snacks ahead of time. And plan your shopping - make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you grab something when you are feeling hungry, you'll probably choose high calorie food.
15. Always turn off the TV when you eat. This includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have shown that we eat bigger portions in front of the TV, most likely because we're much less aware of what we're eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.