For many, it isn’t exercise that is the most difficult part of jumping on a weight loss journey, it’s giving up one’s favorite high-calorie dessert of snacks. We belong to a culture who turns to food for celebration, sadness, boredom, and any other eason under the sun.
When you’re trying to lose weight, that desire can be devistating. You don’t have to give up your favorites, however. Just remember portion control and these easy tips to stay on track.
Drink water
Bumping up the amount of water you drink in a day has been correllated with higher amounts of calories burned at rest. When you drink a glass of water before a meal, you’ll eat smaller portions because your stomach is fuller. By replacing sugary drinks with water, you eliminate even more unnecessary calories. There is a vast number of benefits that come with drinking more water.
Eat fruits and vegetables
For decades and decades, fruits and vegetables have been linked to successful weight loss. They are jam-packed with high amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water– all keys to keeping ourselves healthy. They fill us up without the added calories a bag of chips might have. So instead of chips and dip, consider carrots and hummus. Instead of a bowl of icecream, consider frozen grapes. These snacks are satisfying, delicious, and full of the nutrients you need.
Limit your sugar intake
Sugar is one of the biggest culprits of high-calorie intake. Added sugars and artificial sweeteners dramatically slow down your weight loss. While some sugar is necessary to help process energy, that amount is far smaller than most of us ingest on a daily basis and can easily be attained through a few pieces of fruit.
Limit your salt intake
Again, we need salt to help our bodies function, just not in the amoutns we regularly consume. The suggested sodium amount is 1,200-1,500 milligrams a day, but on average, Americans consume 3,400 milligrams a day– double what doctors suggest. This leads to weight gain and life-threatening diseases such as hypertension and heart-disease.
Read your food’s labels
The best way to monitor your salt and sugar intake is to read the labels of the food you purchase. Many cerals claim to be heart healthy, but contain over 25 grams of sugar. Many diet crackers, bars, and other snacks contain massive amounts of salt. Before buying something, consider what you want to put in your body.
