.jpg)
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO FOOD FADS
By Your North Lake Tahoe Lender
Popular diets seem to come and go in America and North Lake Tahoe is not immune to such trends. From Hollywood, to Atkins, to South Beach, there seems to be a fad diet for everyone out there. These diets gain momentum for their quick results. However, as time goes by, advocates get tired of diet food and revert to their old eating habits.
No matter what type of diet is at the top of the media frenzy, they all seem to have one common concept: portion control. Monitoring the amount of food you eat makes sense because the more calories you take in, the more calories you have to burn. However, controlling food intake is a lot more difficult than sounds.
A 2004 study by the Centers for Disease Control showed Americans are eating more today than we did 30 years ago. Some blame the production and accessibility of processed foods while others point the finger at the diets themselves. In the case of the diets, however, the problem stems from over eating of the “allowed” foods.
So if the problem is overeating, than what is the solution? Here are five tips that will withstand the test of time without making you or your doctor cringe:
- Eat more! That’s right. Break the childhood training that you should eat three meals a day. Eat more meals of smaller size to reduce your appetite and keep your metabolism functioning well. It will also reduce impulse snacking.
- Start with Citrus-Studies show that starting a meal with an orange or grapefruit will reduce the amount you eat. Citrus fruits are mainly water and fiber, so they fill you up. They are also a great source of vitamin C.
- Begin with Soup-Clear broths help fill you up with nutritious, low calorie liquid and get your metabolism moving the right direction.
- Consume Quality Calories-Eat fresh foods like produce and whole grains. Lisa’s in Truckee is a great resource for organic produce and whole grain items. Processed foods such as packaged or frozen foods are filled with empty calories.
- Eat slower-Your mother always told you to slow down when eating. Now you can do it knowing that the slower you eat, the less you consume. Plus, if you wait 5 minutes before helping yourself to seconds, you’ll find that you are fuller than you thought.
Diets are trendy and will continue to come and go. However, a small modification to your eating habits will allow you to enjoy a lasting, healthy lifestyle without giving up the sugar, fat, carbs, or whatever the latest diet demands.
Do you have any health or nutrition tips?
Call me. I’d love to hear your ideas!
