All too often we associate dieting with deprivation and hunger. We feel that the only way we can possibly lose weight is by severely restricting the amount of food we eat. However, being on a diet needn’t mean depriving yourself and feeling hungry all the time. It is perfectly possible to eat more and weigh less and here are some ideas for doing just that.
Eating bigger portions will help keep you feeling full and stop you from snacking on high calorie foods. The trick is to fill up on foods that are low in calories, such as fruit and vegetables. Heap plenty of vegetables on your plate, or eat a big salad with your meal and you will feel satisfied. If you fancy a snack in between meals, choose fruit. Nobody could feel deprived after a large fruit salad with a whole rainbow of delicious fresh fruits!
Make sure your diet contains all of the major food groups and nutrients. If your body is not receiving the nourishment it needs, it will attempt to gain more by making you crave more food in the hope that you will eventually eat something nutritious. However, we often eat something fried or full of sugar instead! If your body is sufficiently well nourished, the cravings will stop and you will feel satisfied.
Eat several small healthy meals during the day rather than one or two big meals. This will help keep your metabolism revved up and burning fat throughout the day. Leaving long gaps between meals will cause blood sugar levels to drop, causing you to reach for sugary snacks in an attempt to boost flagging energy levels.
Fill up on foods such as pasta and rice by serving them with low fat sauces. Contrary to popular belief, pasta and rice do not cause you to gain weight- it’s the creamy fat laden sauces served with them that do the damage. Eating foods rich in protein can help you feel full for longer. These include chicken, turkey, oily fish, eggs, tofu, soya, beans and pulses.
Another way of being able to eat more is to start exercising regularly. Exercise burns calories, so you will be able to increase your food intake and still lose weight. Exercising just three times a week for thirty minutes or more can make a real difference. The best calorie burning exercises are cardiovascular workouts such as walking, running, cycling or swimming.
As you can see, it is perfectly possible to eat more and weigh less – and it's not that hard. At other times you may not necessarily be eating more, but the type of food you eat will make you feel satisfied for longer. The less deprived your diet makes you feel, the easier you will find it to stick to.
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