Are Diet Programs Necessary?

OK, like millions of people, you have made your New Year's resolution to lose weight and get in shape. A multitude of diet programs are bombarding our airwaves claiming to do everything they can to help you achieve your goals. All involve a cost, though. What a surprise.

Why is it that we have convinced ourselves that weight loss involves a group effort? I understand how some may believe they cannot lose weight without the support of a group. Whatever it takes, but why do so many people believe we need to purchase prepared foods from a “weight loss expert”? I find it perplexing. It's a form of brainwashing.

There is no miracle formula for losing weight and eating healthy. You do not have to belong to a diet program and take part in a commercially-prepared food program to succeed.

First of all, remove the word “diet” from your vocabulary. It signifies scarcity and leaves you feeling deprived. Instead, use “meal plan”.

Follow healthy eating rules and you can do it. The drawback....it takes more work than that needed to succeed in a commercially-operated program. You have to take control over your eating habits...not someone else (who charges a fee).

Fresh fruits and vegetables are low calorie, highly nutritious foods. Eat more of them. They fill you up, causing you to eat less of other foods. It's surprising how many folk do not like veggies and/or fruit. Look at these people and you will probably see someone who is overweight.

Learn to appreciate the true flavors of food instead of having them covered in high-fat sauces and other goop.

Mainly....stop eating so many processed foods. Do you realize how many calories you will save by simply doing this? And...you'll still get good taste. That is, if you get away from those “healthy” processed foods that are included in many diet programs.

Stay tuned for suggestions on how to take control of and change your eating habits...

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An Easy Way to Avoid Overeating

The holiday season brings with it so many different foods that only come out this time of year. It's the only time of the year that star or Christmas tree-shaped sugar cookies abound, for instance. And, let's not forget everyone's favorite, fruitcake. :) For myself, it's the only time of year I consume gravy and stuffing. Everyone is different, but overeating during this time commonly occurs for many people. The less you eat the less weight you put on your joints and tkr, too. What's a good way to avoid this? Here's my suggestion...

Use a smaller plate. Have you noticed how dinner plates have dramatically increased in size lately? It seems to have simultaneously occurred with the increased obesity epidemic and larger serving portions. Go figure. Dinner plates used to average 8” width, now they can be as big as 12” Yikes. The sight of these larger plates is just not pleasant, in my opinion. It's just so much food. Way too much food.

If you don't have any smaller plates in your cupboard, go to your thrift store. Past generations commonly used dinner plates that were 8” diameter. And, these items abound in thrift stores due to families donating estates. You can get an entire 8-place serving set for $20. If you look around, you may find a better deal.

You may also want to use dessert or salad plates as your main serving plate. This will decrease your portion sizes even smaller. Filling your smaller plates up with food fools your mind into thinking you're eating a lot of food.

Give these suggestions a try. You will like it. Enjoy!

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Enjoying Succulent Winter Squash

It's that time of year again..the time for tasty, succulent winter squash. Winter squash can be so versatile, nutritious and easy to prepare..it can fit into any meal plan. Plus, it fits easily into food budgets.

Do you ever get tired of potatoes and need a healthy alternative? Or...just want to experience a new taste sensation? Turn to winter squash..

Winter squash are nutritional powerhouses that contain minimal calories and large amounts of vitamin A, folate, magnesium, potassium, Omega-3s and B vitamins...among other nutrients. So, not only are you adding variety to your meal plan, you are nutritiously feeding your body!

Plus, if you're watching your weight....viola! This is the food for you! Winter squash contain rich amounts of dietary fiber that fills you up with few calories. :)

Winter squash fall under the 'Red and Orange Vegetable' category on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate website. Check here for more nutritional information. You will be impressed by all this vegetable group has to offer:

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/vegetables_why.html

Here's a recipe that I enjoy instead of..or in addition to..mashed potatoes. It is a hit with my students and friends, as well..

Quick & Easy Mashed Butternut Squash

3-4 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced

¼ cup onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

¼ t Italian seasoning

dab of butter or dash of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Place raw squash and onion into steamer, or dutch oven with steaming basket. Cover tightly. Bring to boil over medium heat. Steam until you can poke a fork easily through the squash. It takes only about 5-8 minutes to cook.

Remove veggies and place into serving dish.

Add a dab of butter or dash of olive oil, just enough to add extra volume.

Sprinkle on garlic, Italian seasoning plus salt and pepper.

Mash ingredients thoroughly together with a fork or potato masher.

Add more seasoning, as needed.

Store any unused portion in airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you're wanting to cut back on fat, prepare recipe without using butter or oil. It takes just as good...

Butternut squash has a sweet, light taste all its own.

Enjoy!

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Natural Weight Watcher

Interested in wanting to either lose weight or maintain your current weight? Here's a natural remedy...

Wear a thick belt around your waist. Use your belt as a weight monitoring tool. Whenever you eat too much, your belt will appear to be too tight. Whenever you lose weight, your belt will loosen.

Keep track of your weight progress by placing a notch on the inside portion of your waist. Use a screwdriver to dig into the belt, making a notch. As your waist size changes, make note by adding another notch to your belt.

Good luck!

Weight Loss Tips

I found this interesting link while doing online research into weight loss and healthy foods...Hope you enjoy!

Link isn't working...don't know why. So...click and paste.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/foods-that-make-you-full.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHeartHealth_20090815

Natural Ways to Lose Weight

Instead of turning to the doctor for a prescription or going to the store for appetite suppressants, try some natural remedies. You can feel full by consuming fewer calories. These techniques will fill you up the quick and easy way. Plus, they are easy on your budget.

Drink a glass of water 30 minutes prior to eating your meal. The water fills you up, and is a natural appetite suppressant. You won't want to eat as much. Also, choose water instead of carbonated beverages to save on calories while also improving your health. Drink water throughout the day to keep your body properly flushed.

Eat broth-based soup. You can either eat your soup 20-30 minutes prior to your regular meal, or choose the soup as your main dish. Choosing broth or vegetable-based soup instead of cream-based soups will give you less calories and fat. Making (or enjoying) a bowl of vegetable soup will provide you with nutrients and fiber. So, in addition to getting healthy, you will be filling yourself up from the fiber. Personally, I enjoy making a pot of minestrone soup and eating a cup of it as a main dish. Having some whole grain crackers (made without shortening or partially hydrogenated oils) with my soup rounds out my meal before dessert. Dessert is usually a bowl of nonfat frozen yogurt or fresh banana. Water is my chosen beverage. Great stuff!

Snack on nutrient-rich, fiberful foods. Instead of snacking on dense, fatty foods such as potato chips or convenience foods, choose alternatives. Fresh fruits and vegetables will give you nutrients and fiber at the same time. This will quench your appetite and need to eat more. Apple slices with peanut butter or lowfat cheese, hummus on whole wheat crackers, or munching on baby carrots and broccoli cuts are good ideas.

Get more whole grains into your diet. Substituting whole grains foods for foods made with refined flours will not only supply you with valuable fiber, you will be getting more nutrients. Read the food labels. The ingredients need to state “whole grain” not “enriched” or some other word for refined. For instance, I have noticed that whole grain Cheerios have “whole oats” as the number one ingredient. Knock-offs claiming to be the equivalent, have “oat flour” (which is the refined version of the whole oat) as the main ingredient. They are not the same. Choose whole grain products including cereals, breads, crackers, snack items and pastas – just to name a few.

Eat more apples. Apples are rich sources of fiber, pectin and nutrients. Fiber takes longer to digest, leaving you feeling fuller for longer periods of time. In addition to snacking on apples, try eating one 30 minutes prior to a meal. You may be surprised with how full you feel. :)

Use your imagination. It is not as difficult as you may think to cut your appetite the healthy way. After doing it for a while, it will become a natural part of your life.

There are two websites I found that I wanted to pass along. You can get more information on eating less calories to lose weight by visiting the Mayo Clinic's site at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/NU00195. Another one I found is located at: http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/foods-that-make-you-full.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHeartHealth_20090815

Enjoy!

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Weight Loss Tip - natural way

For anyone interested in losing weight the natural way - drink more water water. This is so common sense, but it works well. Besides filling you up, it is cheap, delicious, and convenient.

What more can you want?