- October 26, 2010 • 6:10 pm PDT
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You are what you eat, and eating healthier can be the biggest step toward an overall healthier life. These tips should help you eat better and eat a little less, which is better for you, too:
Cut Your Calories
With all the buzz about the latest diet trends, it’s easy to forget the most basic tenet of successful weight loss: Make sure you take in fewer calories than you burn.
Each of our bodies is different, but you can use tools like this one to roughly calculate energy needs. Remember, you must eat in a way that is sustainable to you—not in grapefruit diets or cabbage-soup cleanses. That in mind, we present three calorie-cutting tricks that could weigh in big:
Don’t skimp on fiber: It will help you feel full, while also aiding with elimination. Swap fiber-rich vegetables for empty, refined carbohydrates—say, spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti noodles. You will meet nutritional requirements and feel satisfied while decreasing your calorie intake.
Watch what you drink: Sodas, juices, and mocha lattes can pack on pounds without leaving you full. The average American drinks more than 20 percent of their calories. Stick to water and teas instead, and make sure you sweeten your tea naturally—chemical sweeteners are increasingly controversial. If you’re craving fruit, it’s best to eat one: An orange has three grams of fiber and only 65 calories, while a serving of orange juice contains 110 calories (a tall glass would be two servings) and no fiber.
Get your protein: While you shouldn't cut out any one type of nutrient, like carbohydrates, eating more protein will stave off hunger by keeping you full longer. For best results, eat it in combination with high-fiber foods, or get it from foods like lentils, which contain both protein and carbohydrates.
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A MORSEL FROM HEALTHYMAGINATION
Cook a healthy stir-fry with tofu instead of red meat to eliminate excess artery-clogging animal fat.
Tofu has fiber, protein and good fats, plus the benefits of soy. Saute firm tofu in oil and garlic and add lots of veggies for a creative, filling meal.
