The right lifestyle is an essential part of maintaining a healthy weight. A balanced diet should include plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean meat. Limiting your sugar intake and processed foods is also an essential part of a healthy diet. You can always indulge in cheat days and reward yourself with a sweet treat once in a while. Here are some tips to attain a healthy weight and stay there.
Control the number of calories you consume
One of the most common mistakes when eating healthy is that many of us do not know how much we should be eating or how much we actually are eating. To help prevent this mistake make sure to read nutrition labels carefully. Pay attention to how many servings you are actually eating. Try to eat on smaller plates instead of large ones which will help to reduce the number of calories you consume per meal.
Be aware of your portion size
Meal portions should be smaller than usual. Remember that the serving size is not the same as the portion size. To keep your portions smaller, use a small plate when dining out. When shopping for food, look at the labels carefully to determine the serving sizes. Many packages look like one serving, but they contain multiple. By understanding how many servings each food contains, you can choose healthier alternatives.
It’s essential to know the proper portion size.
It can be tricky, but there are some guidelines you should follow. For instance, You should devote half of your plate to vegetables and a quarter to lean protein (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, tofu, etc.). You should take up the other quarter of the plate with complex carbohydrates.
You can still enjoy some treats
You need to eat healthily and exercise regularly to stay slim and fit. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats is essential for your weight loss. Try to limit calories, sodium, and fat in your food, and take occasional cheat days. You can still enjoy some treats every once in a while. At the end of the day it all comes down to how consistent your overall lifestyle habits are.
Plan your meals ahead of time
It’s important to try and prepare your meals ahead of time. By planning your meals, you usually make healthier choices without the actual hunger that often leads to overeating. In addition, if possibly you should plan your meals for the coming week and schedule daily exercise time. Additionally, you should strive to reduce the amount of time you spend watching television. You should also try to limit the number of snacks you consume throughout the day.
Encourage friends and family to support your goals
You can create a support network around you to help you stay motivated. Encourage your friends and family to help support your new lifestyle goals.
Have a food diary
A food diary is an effective tool to keep track of your diet. If possible you should write down the foods you eat and how much you eat each and every day. Keeping a food diary will help you to determine the triggers that cause you to overeat in the first place. Besides eating smaller portions, you should try to do some form of exercise each and every day. Regular exercise helps you stay both physically and mentally healthy. Whether you eat five small meals a day or five large meals, you can control the number of calories you consume with the help of a diary.
