Ditch the Diet #2 (Not Just Another Weight-Loss Post)

Jane’s All-Time Top Eating Tips

It takes time to alter eating habits (any habit actually – I just read a book about it!) – they have been built up over your whole life to date.

Make small changes over time – trying to alter food choices overnight is too hard – it won’t work.

You will have come across some of the following before but these are the dicta currently helping me to get down from 80 kg (I am 5′ 3″).

If you have to cook for a family or flat-mates, there is no reason why they can’t eat what you do; it is not as if you are asking them to turn Bear Grylls and chuck back roasted rat ears au extract du weasel.

        yummmoooohhhhh ……  

ONE
Always carry sugar-free mints or sugar-free butterscotch.

I find they stop me thinking about food inbetween meals and even stop me feeling hungry.

Werther’s Originals make a sugar-free version that is indistinguishable from the ‘real’ Werther’s.

There is a generic brand that is cheaper but harder to find.

TWO
Go camel and always carry water; does not need to be fancy bottled water – out the tap is fine.

Often we are not hungry -  just thirsty.

However, if you use the same bottle over and over, you need to make sure you wash the top/sipper regularly as bacteria can build-up there; put through the dishwasher if you have one.

Always drink water with food.

THREE
Eat up your least favourite food on the plate first.

 So I would eat the veges before starting on my meat or fish.

I often crave more of a certain taste or texture.

Because I have filled up on the ‘supporting cast’ foods, I can enjoy my favourite part of the meal at the end without wanting more of it (before I have eaten the veges, eg).

FOUR
Don’t put too much of what you like on the plate.

This ties in with THREE above; give yourself a smaller portion of your favourite food.

Otherwise I keep eating my favourite and maybe not touching the side dish.

FIVE
DON’T buy biscuits, cakes, etc, to keep in the pantry, even if you say they are for visitors.

Buy them just before visitors arrive and force visitors to take the remainder home with them!.

If visitors arrive unannounced, hard luck, they will have to nibble on carrot sticks (or bring their own afternoon tea).

You could keep some pancake mix in the cupboard if you can resist it and whip up some small ones – pikelets – to avoid alienating your friends and relatives.

SIX
If I am hungry, I cannot concentrate on what I am meant to be doing.

If you are like this then always carry some sort of snack, even if you think you won’t get hungry later.

 I always get hungry and then grab the nearest thing which is often from snack machines containing lollies and chips, etc.

Make sure that the snack is something you really like and you know will keep you going until you get home or whatever.

It might be a banana, unadulterated nuts, non-fat crackers/water biscuits, chicken drumstick, air-popped popcorn, ie, does not have to be salad sticks – but it can be.

SEVEN
Use substitutes.

I make low carb/high protein smoothies at home and have a flask so I can take it ‘on the road’.

I make mine with combinations of the following: egg (make sure v fresh), low-fat milk, low-fat Greek yoghurt, ricotta cheese, spice like cinnamon, fruit like blueberries, protein powder.

I am mad about bananas but too many can be dangerous; however, now and again, I add half to a big drink as per below.

You can buy the protein powder in a big tin or small packets from supermarkets in a variety of flavours.

You don’t have to use a whole packet in one drink (as above – I often just use half).

Making these drinks at home is great as they are really beautiful.

EIGHT
You can use ricotta cheese, beaten egg white (again, v fresh) and fresh fruit (like berries or kiwi-fruit) to make yourself (and guests) a luxury sweet.
Use a natural sweetener like Stevia.

NINE
Remember that you have one free day per week to look forward to.

This is a huge bonus and should help you stay on an eating plan long-term.

You can go out to a restaurant even and enjoy an indulgent meal.

This is a key to success as that week goes by quickly and you negate that terrible feeling of being deprived.

TEN
 Keep telling yourself you are actually upgrading your body health.

You will notice a difference in your skin, hair, etc.

Assuming of course that you don’t smoke or get rat/weasel-arsed on the piss every weekend.

NEXT TIME: ACTUAL RECIPES
 

Related articles

• Low Carb Food List (answers.com)
• Three Tips to Make Living Sugar-Free Easier (berries.com)
• Change Your Diet – Change You! (massageenvy.com)
• 5 Tips to Lose Weight and Keep It Off (zeusdreamcaster.wordpress.com)
• You are what you eat (simplysaare.wordpress.com)

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Posted in: Ditch the Diet - Get Meal Suggestions Instead