According to the Weight-control Information Network, 68 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Being overweight comes from a caloric imbalance. Staying slim does not have to be a battle you fight everyday. Instead, living by a few simple rules will make managing your weight seem easy and keep the scale at a healthy weight.
Choose Fresh and Whole
Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains -- whole wheat breads and pastas -- will help give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Fiber can be found in all three food groups and will help with weight maintenance. Fiber helps to create a feeling of fullness and prevents over-eating. Staying full longer will help you to consume less calories. Add fiber to your meals by having whole wheat products with breakfast, such as whole wheat cereal, fruit as a snack, vegetables on your whole wheat sandwich for lunch and a vegetable with your dinner.
Healthy Fats
Ditch trans fats and saturated fats in order to stay slim. These fats are often found in processed foods, like baked goods and fast foods and animal products. Instead, choose healthy fats that will help promote weight loss. According to the "Journal of Diabetes Care" March 2007 issue, when you eat monounsaturated fatty acids with each meal you will help your body burn fat by raising your basal metabolic rate, which will help you stay slim. Include foods like avocado, olive oil and nuts in your daily diet to raise your monounsaturated fat intake.
Proteins
Include proteins in your diet to increase satiety and help you keep trim. Protein sources should consist of lean meats, beans and low-fat dairy products. These foods are lower in fat and high in protein. Chicken and turkey can be added to dinners and lunches and low fat dairy products like cheeses can be had during the day as snacks.
Considerations
It is important to make sure you consume enough calories each day. Calories fuel your body and help your body function properly. The American Heart Association suggests that women do not fall below 1,200 calories and that men do not fall below 1,500 calories. Consider the amount of activity you do each day, as well, and increase or decrease the amounts of food you eat accordingly in order to stay slim.
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