3 Tips To Get Started On Your New Year Diet Plans
No, your New Year diet doesn’t have to look like that! You can actually adopt and maintain a healthy diet and still enjoy eating. It just takes being conscious in ways that support your diet.
I’m in an eternal state of dieting. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been very conscious of what and how much I eat. That’s been tough to do at times, because I have an inner foodie that loves the taste of all kinds of plain and exotic fare. I’ve been able to keep control because I’ve enrolled my foodie into the high ranking position of Chief Food Taste Judge In Charge. Taste is one of three things to consider as you ponder yet another New Year diet.
Taste
Taste has always been high on my list. Of all the foods we have put before us, a lot of them are good but certainly not great when it comes to taste. Start paying attention to not just what you like and don’t like, but also ranking how much you like the taste of particular foods. Eat less or none of those that aren’t your favorites, and more of the ones that are. Within reason, of course!
If a food has a lower ranking on your taste scale, limit or eliminate it from your menu. For example, one of the most deadly things to eat when it comes to dieting is all those crunchy chips and snacks out there. But if you really think about it, many if not most of them don’t really taste all that good. When that bowl of crackers comes within reach, remember it’s not your preferred taste and let it pass.
If you’re going to go on a formal diet plan or food plan, you may want to take a look at the recent study done by Next Advisor. They taste-tested most of the major diet food providers out there, and came up with a list of those most (or least) tasty.
Portion Control
What’s on your plate is important. But it’s not just about what the item is. If you’re going to be serious about losing a few pounds, you’ve got pay attention to how much you’re eating. It’s no secret that most restaurants serve up far too much food. And too often we’ve adopted the restaurant vision of a meal into our daily food expectations.
What’s the answer? Portion control. I’ve found three helpful ways to combat the efforts of others to over-feed me. Here they are:
- When dining out, order off the senior or kids menu. They may not give you the senior or kids price, but you’ll get a more appropriately sized meal. Alternatively, order a regular meal and share it.
- Eat off a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. Yes the salad plate won’t hold as much. That’s the idea. And no refills!
- Never eat directly out of a large container, such as a huge bowl of snacks, meatballs, or even veggies and dip. There’s no way to tell how much you’re eating if it’s not on a plate that you alone are going to devour.
Drink Before Not With Your Meal
It’s so tempting to drink water, or other liquids, with a meal. But from a diet standpoint, it’s not a good idea. A 2015 study found that people who drink a glass or two of water prior to a meal lost more weight. And most sources recommend you drink at least 20 minutes prior to eating.
If you’re one of those who just cannot seem to enjoy a meal without something to drink with it, drink a cup of warm tea. A good ginger tea is perfect because it actually helps digestion.
Make Your New Year Diet Plans And Start Today
That swimsuit you have your eye on is waiting for you. You already know what size you wear when you’re at your best physical condition. So go ahead and buy it now. Hang it in your bathroom, near the scales. And let it be your incentive to keep going on your new year diet!
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