Weight loss is more about what you choose to eat and drink than it is about extreme crash diets that last a few days. Rather than starving yourself and depriving your body of nutrients, the right way to lose weight is to choose foods and drinks wisely. Decreasing the amount of calories you eat and choosing foods that speed up your metabolism can help with weight loss without making you feel deprived.
Liquid Calories
Liquid calories can easily break any diet program. According to an article in The Washington Post, drinks are not filling, so even if you're consuming lots of liquid calories, chances are you're still be hungry. When you sit down to eat, you're likely to eat a normal meal. The same would be true if you had only water to drink, except that water has no calories so it won't compromise your weight loss efforts. To lose weight, stick to non-calorie drinks such as water, seltzer, tea and black coffee.
Low-Calorie Food
Concentrating on low-calorie foods will allow you to eat more, feel full and still lose weight. The National Institutes of Health recommends finding healthier alternatives to old favorites. For example, low-fat milk is better than whole milk, red sauce is better than white or alfredo sauce, and bran flakes are lower in calories than granola. According to The Diet Channel, diets high in fiber also lead to weight loss because fiber fills you up, causing you to eat less of other foods. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Snacks
When it comes to snacking, the key to losing weight is to stick to low-calorie foods. Stay away from the vending machine and avoid picking things on the go. Saltine or soda crackers, air-popped popcorn, turkey or vegetarian sausage and part-skim milk ricotta cheese are all good diet choices, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Eating Out
According to an article on CBSNews.com, you can eat out while on a diet. Whether you're going to a restaurant or eating a snack on the go, the key is to be prepared. In restaurants, order from the entrée or appetizer menu instead of eating a main dish, especially if you know the portions are big. Avoid anything with the words fried and instead ask for broiled or grilled food. Stick to lean meats such as chicken or fish. If eating chicken, peel the skin off. Salads are a good choice as long as the dressings and sauces are served on the side. That way you can use just a touch of it for flavor without adding too many calories.
Expert Insight
Food and drinks that speed up your metabolism are good choices when trying to lose weight. According to an article in the Weight Loss Resources website, spicy food can increase your metabolism by up to 50 percent for several hours after you've finished eating your meal. Try adding chili, pepper, ginger and curry powder to your meals to provide heat. Green tea and coffee can also stimulate your metabolism and might help you lose weight.
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