Change Bad Eating Habits to Lose Weight Naturally
If you're dieting and exercising in an effort to lose weight and you aren't seeing the results you want, you could be consuming more calories than you realize. Bad eating habits are quite often the cause of excess calories that cause excess pounds, but you can change bad eating habits and lose the weight you want to lose. Stop the cycle of mindless eating, and adopt new habits that you will benefit from for the rest of your life.
Come Back to the Table
Remember the days when families sat around the table and enjoyed leisurely meals together? These days, more and more people are eating their meals in front of the television, and they aren't paying attention to what they're eating let alone how much they're eating. While concentrating on favorite television shows, they mindlessly transfer food from their plates to their mouths, and before they know it, the food is gone. Worst of all, they don't realize they've taken the last bite until they look down and realize their plate is empty, and they head back to the kitchen for more.
Turn off the television during mealtime, and bring your family back to the table. Take average-size portions of healthy foods, and concentrate on every bite. You won't be as likely to want seconds, and you'll savor your meal instead of savoring the overstated restaurant foods shown during television commercials.
Stop Sampling
Do you find yourself nibbling and sampling foods as you prepare them, and by the time the food is ready you've already eaten your fair share? A nibble here and a pinch there can add up to dozens or even hundreds of extra calories. Next time you think about sampling the meal as it cooks, think again. If you must nibble on something to hold you over until the meal is ready, have a crunchy calorie-free dill pickle or tasty raw veggies. Sip a low-calorie beverage or glass of water, and resist the urge to nibble the foods you're cooking. You'll save hundreds of calories throughout the day once you stop sampling.
Slow Down
Many people make the mistake of eating too fast. They barely swallow one bite of food before they're putting more in their mouth. Take smaller bites, slow down, and enjoy each and every bite you take. Take the time to experience the food within your mouth before swallowing, and savor the texture as well as the taste. You'll be more satisfied by the time your plate is empty, and you'll be less likely to crave seconds.
Say No to High Calories
Opt for lower calorie substitutions when preparing your favorite dishes, and make every effort to cut calories in individual servings. You can easily cut calories without cutting out flavor. For example, when topping your favorite casserole with cheese, cut the amount of cheese in half. The dish will taste the same, but you will have reduced the amount of calories per serving considerably. Also, instead of preparing your favorite ground meat dish with ground beef, opt for lower calorie ground turkey. You'll greatly reduce the amount of fat and calories, you'll save money, and no one will know the difference.
Change Your Shopping Habits
Cutting calories doesn't mean you have to completely eliminate your favorite foods. Cutting calories simply means consuming your favorite foods in moderation. Change the habit of eating immeasurable amounts of snack chips right out of the bag. Instead of buying a large bag of your favorite snack, buy bags containing individual servings. It might cost a little more, but you'll be less likely to overindulge. The extra money you'll spend will be well worth the number of calories you'll save. After you modify your shopping habits along with your bad eating habits, you'll be well on your way to losing extra weight and gaining the slim and trim body you've always wanted.