Four Small Diet Tweaks to get Healthier for 2014
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
Getting healthier is usually at the top of everyone’s list for a new year. Â It is definitely high on mine for 2014. Â As I mentioned in my word of the year post, I am not one who is able to do something major like Whole 30 or anything like that drastic. Â So, instead, I am focusing on four small diet tweaks that I can make for 2014 to help me accomplish my goal of getting healthier.
It’s that time of year when the latest, and greatest in diet trends are unleashed. Each one promises un-paralleled results and yet few actually produce the promised results. In the beginning you shed a few pounds but they find their way back in no time. Instead of buying into the latest diet fad, consider making a few simple changes to help you meet your weight loss goals.
1. Â Make water your beverage of choice. The market is saturated with beverages that claim zero sugar, zero calories but they are often loaded with unhealthy chemicals and hidden calories. Make the switch to water and you will begin to notice almost immediate changes in how you feel.
– Don’t like the taste of plain water? Add some great fresh flavors to change the flavor without adding calories or chemicals
– If you drink a lot of sugared drinks, you may need to wean yourself off of them. Cut back a little more each day until you’re only drinking water.
– Drinking water helps you feel full. Many times we confuse being hungry with being thirsty. By staying well hydrated you will be better able to judge just how hungry you really are.
2.  Cut down your portion size. Reducing the amount of food you eat doesn’t mean you’ll be left feeling hungry.
– A plan that may work well for you is to eat five times a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks in between. Having small portions throughout the day, so your total daily consumption still falls within your recommended caloric intake means you’ll feel satisfied without overeating.
– Instead of filling up on a large potato, or hearty side dish, choose a large salad or extra helping of vegetables. You’ll feel full while consuming fewer calories. Just watch out for salad dressings and other high calories toppings.
 3.  Switch snacks. Are you making the best choices when choosing snacks? Having a favorite comfort food from time to time is ok, but switching every day snacks to healthier options can help you see more weight loss.
– Snacks like fruit, sugar-free Jello-O, low calorie frozen fruit bars, and yogurt are a few good options.
 – If you like salty or crunchy foods, fruit sticks, hummus, roasted chickpeas, or nuts are a few snack swaps to consider.
4. Â Skip Side Dishes. Often times the highest calorie items on a plate are the side dishes. Foods like potato salad and mac and cheese can contain more calories than the main dish. Eat only a few bites of these, or omit them altogether.
By adapting these diet changes, I don’t think I will feel like I am depriving yourself of eating the foods I enjoy. But, I am hoping I will begin to see changes on my weight loss journey.
Instead of hopping from one fad diet to the next, in hopes of finding the magic bullet, try making a few of these changes. Not only will you look better, you’ll begin to feel better too!
This post is shared at the list of fabulous parties found here.
Good for you! Way to make the changes that will make you healthier this year.
I need to print off that “Keep calm and control your portions”.
Somedays I get it right and others I go a little over board.
Oops! Love all of your tips!
Good ideas. Flavored water is what my daughter does!
we don’t use our dinner plates anymore. mind over matter, right?
I so need to cut soda out of my diet. I’ve been swapping it lately for fresh brewed iced tea – and limiting myself to one soda drink a day….
These are all great tips. I really have to get my act together and work on my health!
Increasing my water intake is certainly one of my goals. I hate the taste of water.
I am so trying portion it’s so hard when you have over done it for so many years! Working on it this year!
Great ideas — we already do smaller plates and I do think that helps.
Thanks and happy 2014.
I love these tips because honestly, anyone can start doing these very small things and they will see big changes!
I haven’t had a soda in so long I can’t even remember. Your hints are great, and easy, too. Good luck to all of us who are working on our selves, this year.
I am glad you said small tweaks. I am usually only successful with small changes.
These are great tips! One way I plan to eat healthier this year is by swapping out some of my Diet Mountain Dew for water. I can’t give it up completely though.
Great tips to remember. I never really thought about the skipping the sides. I will have to try that and see how it works out.
One of the biggest things that works for me is to use those small plates. If it fills the tiny plate, I always feel more satisfied than if it’s dots on a giant plate!
I definitely need to skip the side dishes. I also need to learn how to portion. I always want a big bowl of everything. 🙂
Yes, I agree little steps at a time make it last. I love adding cucumber to cold water. I can’t typically drink room temperature water. My doctor has always told me to eat 5 meals a day but never could figure out how as I’m not normally hungry for a snack.
These are some great tips. I am glad I love water because I drink it all day. They do have those water flavors like the Mio that have no calories that come in handy.
control of my portions is key for me!
I LOVE this post, these are all great ideas! LOVE that apple snack idea, I’m going to try that! I’m in the process right now of giving up pop and drinking more water. It’s not easy, but I’m getting there.
We have changed the size of our plates that we use at home. It helps because we don’t even miss the food that can’t fit on the plate LOL