All about: Eating to lose weight

Everyone has heard the expression “You have to spend money to make money”. Well the same concept works with weight loss. As crazy as it sounds, you have to eat to lose weight. The key though is following good diet plans and eating right. Read on to know what you should eat to lose weight.

Eating to lose

The best diet plan is one that leaves you feeling like you are not even on a diet. However, even the most effective diet can be hard to stick to if you do not eat to lose weight. Less is more In today’s world of supersizes, it is hard to know what the right portion size is anymore. The key to eating to lose weight is to keep it small and light. Portion sizes protein – Your protein at meal time should be no larger than two decks of cards. Carbohydrates – Forego the heaping spoons of pasta, mashed potatoes and switch to half a cup of brown rice or whole-grain pasta. Vegetables – The more non-starchy vegetables you eat the better chance you have of losing weight. Half of your plate should be full of healthy vegetables, without creams or sauces to add on fat. Fruit – A portion of fruit is a good serving size like an apple or a banana. However, don’t eat them with meals, they should be used for snacks to boost insulin and curb cravings. Berries – Berries are the exception and go perfect with lunch or dinner, especially as a quick healthy desert. Yet, you should limit yourself to two handfuls at most. Once you get used to seeing the right portion size on your plate, you will automatically know what is too much and cut calories.

Tips to eating right

Listen to your body to determine when, what and how much to eat. Listen to your hunger – Instead of starving yourself half the day, listen to your body when it tells you that you are hungry. Satisfying hunger right away prevents you from overeating later. Learn when to stop – Stop evening when you are full, even if you still have food on the plate. Stop emotional eating – Don’t let food soothe you when you are depressed, stressed or lonely. Enjoy food – Take the time to enjoy what you are eating. Eat slowly and savour each bite. Don’t deprive yourself - Rather than eating a whole chocolate bar, break off two small pieces or squares and enjoy them. Enjoy a wide variety of foods in smaller portions - Fill half your plate with vegetables; add a small salad and a portion of lean protein of your choice.