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Four Small Diet Tweaks to get Healthier for 2014

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Getting healthier is usually at the top of everyone’s list for a new year.  It is definitely high on mine for 2014.  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.   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.
Four Easy Diet Tweaks

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.  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.
reduced portions

– 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.
2535_apple_sandwiches– 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.  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!

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