If you want to lose weight without going on a diet there are ways to do this that are actually much longer lasting habits than starving yourself or limiting what you eat each day.
1. Choose better food option. Every time you fill up your plate or put something into your body you have an option. Eating healthy is not rocket science. Sure there are constantly changing research facts and figures that make things a tiny bit confusing, however most of know what is healthy and what is not. The problem comes to that moment of choice. That moment in the grocery store line where you decide NOT to put the artificial donut into your cart. The moment that you choose to buy carrot sticks and go home and whip up a simple yogurt and herb dip to snack on. So this week, just start by making ONE conscious healthy choice. Congratulate these small victories, because it is a life long battle.
2. Do not go starving. Make sure that you have small healthy snack food available in the house (veggies and dip, nuts and seeds, homemade chickpea dip). What happens when we go starving is that all of a sudden our brain NEEDS sugar to keep you feeling good, so instead of taking the time to prepare a balanced meal, instead we binge on the quick sugary snacks because they do the trick.
3. Pack snacks! When you know you will be out of the house this is a time that it is so easy to slip and buy a high sugar processed snack. Pack small snacks in your car or purse, like healthy granola bars, protein powder so you can whip together a smoothie, and fresh fruit like bananas and apples.
4. Slow right down. We are often do busy in a day that it is easy to get to the table (or counter) and wolf down our meals, rather than chewing. Think of your meal times like sacred meditation where you are mindfully chewing and nourishing yourself. Savor your food and enjoy each bite.
With these simple tips you will never need to diet again.
Grandmother's Kitchen Nutritionist, Heidi Rasmussen, BScN