http://www.fitsugar.com/ Healthy, happy you. en http://www.fitsugar.com/2428775 <p>We're always looking for ways to fight cravings when they arise, and one my tricks of the trade is mint.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/44_2008/ae878b3c3d2a044e_mint-gum.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image larger" height="191" width="240"></span>Yes, mint does wonders to keep my cravings under control as its <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24524557/" target="_blank">strong scent is a natural appetite suppressant</a>. I keep a mint scented candle in my kitchen and I like to light it at night. Not only does it keep the house smelling good, I feel like I am less likely to give into late night snacking temptations. Other simple ideas are to sip mint tea, chew sugar-free mint gum, or simply <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/947012?page=0%2C3" >brush your teeth</a>. It may all be psychological, but it works for me so I can't complain. Try it out and see if mint helps keep your cravings under control too. If not, check out some other <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/947012" >great ideas for curbing cravings</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2428775#comment Cravings Curbing Cravings Diet Tip mint Natural Appetite Suppressant Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2428775 http://www.fitsugar.com/2417454 <p>I'm a fan of cereal for breakfast because it's quick, inexpensive, and a great way to add whole grains to my diet. The combination of the good carbs and fiber from the cereal, plus the calcium and protein from the milk make it a healthy breakfast choice. If you look at the <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1037988" >nutritional info of cereals</a>, they're all so different. Some are high in fiber but low on flavor. Some are high in protein but high in calories. So I like to mix my cereals to reap the benefits of them all.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/44_2008/2508ca991a73fb55_cereal.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="179" width="550"></span></p> <p>Don't just eyeball your cereal parfait because you'll most likely end up with a 500-calorie bowl of breakfast. I take a measuring cup and mix three to five different cereals in it. Choose from cereals that contain at least <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/2327589" >three grams of fiber</a> and three grams of protein per serving. Each cereal should be around 100 to 200 calories per serving and contain no more than 15 grams of sugar. You'll end up with a custom-made cereal that has a variety of textures and tastes, and it will also be full of fiber and protein. </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2417454#comment Breakfast Diet Tip Food Mix Cereals Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2417454 http://www.fitsugar.com/2419508 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/43_2008/172b27fbd16437c3_diet1.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="outline left image xlarger" height="400" width="251"></span>Deciding what you want to eat at a restaurant can be hard, especially when nutritional information is not easily accessible. In situations like this, just send a text message to <a href="http://www.diet.com/mobile/" target="_blank">DIET1</a> (34381). Include the restaurant and the menu item in your message, and the service will respond with a text containing the information you requested. I tried it out (several times) and it's really speedy, not to mention a little addictive. The database covers over 36,000 foods from 1,700 restaurants in North America, so try it out the next time you are dining out.</p> <p>Until then, see how much you know without the help of your phone with <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/2405703" >this little calorie quiz</a> on some of our favorite foods.</p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2419508#comment Calories Diet Tip Diet1 Eating out Food Healthy Eating Tip Nutrition Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:44 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2419508 http://www.fitsugar.com/2116115 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/43_2008/eb05ac8b95f944e2_baggy-clothes.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image xlarger" height="392" width="300"></span>Elastic waist bands and big shirts are comfy, but they cover up your body and allow you to forget what you look like or what your weight loss goals are. They also encourage lounging around on the couch for hours. So when you get home from work and want to slip out of your business attire, opt for clothes that are slightly fitted. I'm not saying they have to be skin tight. They can still be comfortable, but not slouchy. Fitted shirts and pants made out of cotton or some other flexible material will give you a sense of your body image so you're not hiding behind your clothes. They may also inspire you to do something active.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2116115#comment Baggy Clothes Diet Tip Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2116115 http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/2297755 <a href="/slideshow/2297755?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/41_2008/vegetables.xlarge.jpg" alt="Diet Tip: Get Creative With Your Veggies" title="Diet Tip: Get Creative With Your Veggies" class="image xlarge inline left" height="320" width="320" /></a>Variety is the spice of life and that is true when it comes to veggies too. Presentation is important and shredded carrots seem exotic and interesting compared to the commonplace sliced preparation. Here are some of my favorite kitchen gadgets for creating fun and enticing veggies. <br> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com">Source</a><div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/2297755?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/2297755#comment Diet Tip Food kitchen gadgets vegetables Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2297755 http://www.fitsugar.com/2116114 <p>When it comes to losing weight, we all find different tricks that help motivate us to reach our goals. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/40_2008/mirror.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="361" width="300"></span>Some may seem a little bizarre, but it doesn't mean they don't work. Here's a weird one for you. Hang a mirror in your kitchen or dining room, on the wall opposite your chair. That way you can watch yourself during mealtimes, and <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/2008/08/18/50-quick-ways-to-a-bikini-body-115875-20701879/" target="_blank">studies show that it can reduce your desire to overeat</a>. People in the study actually ended up eating one-third less food than those with no mirror. </p> <p>This little tip isn't meant to make you obsessed about food or feel bad about yourself. Think of it instead as a friendly reminder of your weight-loss goals. A mirror will help heighten your awareness of what you look like, and what positive changes you're making in regards to food.<br /> <br></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2116114#comment Diet Tip Food mirror Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2116114 http://www.fitsugar.com/2026346 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/40_2008/fluoride.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="336" width="300"></span>We all love to snack, but sometimes noshing on food in between meals adds up to tons of unnecessary calories. So I've discovered this little tip that not only prevents me from raiding the fridge, but it also helps hinder cavities. I brush my teeth and then rinse with fluoride. After rinsing, you can't eat or drink for 30 minutes, so it'll help curb your desire to snack. Plus clinical studies show that using a <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1060873" >fluoride mouthwash</a> can provide extra protection against tooth decay, so it's a win-win.<br /> <br><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2026346#comment Diet Tip flouride Health teeth Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2026346 http://www.fitsugar.com/2053092 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/39_2008/eat.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="433" width="300"></span>When you were a child, were you encouraged to be a member of the "Clean Plate Club"? Entrance to the club required that you finish every bit of food on your plate because "kids were starving in Africa." Or "India." Or "China" — the country, or continent seems to vary from household to household. Sometimes, dessert was leveraged as a reward for cleaning your plate. Your parents meant well, but if you're trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, you can't allow what's on your plate to dictate how much you should eat. Listen to your body and eat only if you're hungry. Remember that just because you have food on your plate doesn't mean you need to eat all of it.</p> <p><b>Fit's Tips:</b> Whether you're out to dinner or eating at home, if you have too much on your plate, save the rest in a <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1015988" >container</a> for later. Or try using a smaller plate, which will force you to put smaller portions on your plate.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2053092#comment Clean Plate Club Diet Tip Weight Loss Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2053092 http://www.fitsugar.com/2023506 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/38_2008/ham.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="364" width="300"></span>We've all been there. You had to stay late at work for some meeting and by the time you make it home, you're beyond starving. You reach for anything quick you can eat, (which is usually not the healthiest thing), and you end up devouring way more calories faster than you would if you were just slightly hungry. In the future, you want to avoid getting to that famished point. Keep snacks at work, in your desk, in your purse, in your gym bag, or in your car. So when you know it'll be a while till mealtime, you can have a little something in your stomach to tide you over. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/2023506#comment Diet Tip Food Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/2023506 http://www.fitsugar.com/1964252 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/37_2008/eating-tv.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="201" width="275"></span>Find yourself with an empty bag of chips after a night of must-see TV? You're not alone. <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com" target="_blank">MSNBC</a> recently reported on a new study that found that consumers who have been recently reminded of their own mortality on TV actually <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26513442/" target="_blank">eat more and spend more</a>. </p> <p>Does this mean we should all ditch <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/the+closer" >The Closer</a>, <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/criminal+minds" >Criminal Minds</a>, and <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/csi" >CSI</a> altogether? Not necessarily. Just use this rather interesting finding as a reminder that watching television often leads to overeating, which can be troublesome since most of us <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1769192" >eat in front of the TV</a>. Try and dine away from the tube most nights of the week, especially if it's murder mystery night on <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/" target="_blank">Dateline</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1964252#comment Diet Tip over eating tv Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1964252 http://www.fitsugar.com/1909743 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/37_2008/snack.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>Healthy snacks are great for noshing. Nuts, dried fruit, air-popped popcorn, low-fat cheese, and whole grain crackers are all nutritious foods, but they still contain calories. Binging on heath food is still binging, and it isn't going to help you reach your weight goal. Overeating healthy foods won't help you maintain the weight you already have either. So this is just a friendly reminder that no matter what you're eating, you'll still need to need to keep appropriate serving sizes in mind.<br /> <br><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1909743#comment Diet Tip Food health food Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1909743 http://www.fitsugar.com/1894041 <p>If you've been buying junk food in small packages in an effort to lose a few, you may be missing the mark.<br /> <center><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/35_2008/snickers.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="275" ></span></center></p> <blockquote></blockquote> <p>Two new <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26396295/" target="_blank">studies</a> have found that people actually may consume more calories when the portions and packages are smaller. The idea is if there were a king-size candy bar sitting in front of you, most of us would pass on it. However, if there were a few mini candy bars, then most of us would indulge because they're smaller and we're programmed to believe that's better for us. I know that I, for one, am totally guilty of this. Sometimes I'll buy the fun-size bags of mini candies with good intentions of only eating one, and then I'll end up eating far more than one because they're so small.</p> <p>I'm not saying don't indulge every once in a while, but just beware that even though the package is smaller, the contents are still the same. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mars.com/global/Global+Brands/Snackfood/Snickers.htm" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1894041#comment Diet Tip portion control small sizes Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1894041 http://www.fitsugar.com/1892685 <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1053961" >Vitamin C</a> might not keep you from catching a cold, but not getting an adequate amount of the vitamin can keep you from burning fat. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/35_2008/eating-an-orange.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="343" width="300"></span>A study from <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16945143?dopt=Abstract" target="_blank">Arizona State</a> found that folks with low-blood concentrations of vitamin C, who walked on treadmills for a 60-minute session, burned 25 percent less fat than other participants with adequate amounts of C. Fortunately, a simple dose of vitamin C remedied the lackluster fat-burning potential of the participants. <a href="http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/6702" target="_blank">Vitamin C</a> is necessary for creating the compound <a href="http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/carnitine.asp" target="_blank">carnitine</a>, which helps turn fat into fuel. </p> <p>While the recommended daily intake of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1736719" >vitamin C</a> is low, 90mg for men and 75mg for women, many health advocates recommend larger daily doses. Holistic health doctor <a href="http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/dr-weil-s-personal-vitamin-preferences/f3c150d1fa803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/health/health.experts/andrew.weil.md" target="_blank">Andrew Weil</a> recommends 200mg daily, while the <a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/" target="_blank">Linus Pauling Institute</a> (named for the scientist that made the vitamin famous) recommends 400mg daily. The health team at <a href="http://www.realage.com/NutritionCenter/VitaminsNutrients.aspx" target="_blank">Real Age</a> recommends consuming 1,200mg daily between foods and supplements. </p> <p>On this note, I am going to add some <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/327702" >strawberries</a> to my cereal tomorrow morning since a half cup contains 42mg of vitamin C. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1892685#comment Diet Tip Dieting fat burning potential Food Vitamin C Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1892685 http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/34_2008/stk78777cor.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="350" width="350"></span>One way to make sure you don't overeat is by slowing down so that your stomach has time to register that it's full. There are plenty of tricks to keep yourself from scarfing down dinner, such as <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1781719" >eating with your non-dominant hand</a>.</p> <p>Here's an even easier one: Make sure you put down your fork between every bite. If you're eating something with your hands, such as pizza or a sandwich, put down the actual food. Then, don't pick up the fork or food again until you've chewed and swallowed the previous bite. When you start to feel full, put down the fork altogether!</p> <p>The forced pauses will prevent you from racing through your meal and give you more time to savor it. Plus, not only is this a healthy eating tip, but it's also good table manners, don't you think? </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485#comment Diet Tip Food put down the fork Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485 http://www.fitsugar.com/1843631 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/TV.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="331" width="250"></span>A sedentary lifestyle can lead to extra inches around the waist, so if you're trying to lose weight you need to increase your physical activities. One way to keep yourself off your couch is to put yourself on a TV diet. Restrict the amount of television you watch to 10 hours a week. Don't replace TV time with playing video games or surfing the net. Unless of course you need some <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/words+that+move+you" >FitSugar motivation</a> or to read a recap on <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/TV" >Buzz</a> since you're now watching less TV. Limiting your screen time should get you moving more, or at least cut down on time spent snacking in front of the television.<br /> <br><br /> <a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1843631#comment Diet Tip television TV diet Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1843631 http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/food.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="404" width="300"></span>Whether you're cooking a meal at home or going out to eat, if you're trying to lose weight, it's no secret that family-style dinners encourage us to eat more. When you have an empty plate in front of you and you see a whole array of different dishes to try, your eyes can be bigger than your stomach, and you can end up serving yourself a lot more calories than you would if you were just given a regular serving of food. It's just like going to a <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1690599" >buffet</a>. The food is in front of you, so you tend to keep going back for more. I'm all for sharing a meal with friends and family, but do yourself and your waistline a favor, and serve meals onto plates rather than from dishes on the table. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118#comment Diet Tip family dinner family style Food Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118 http://www.fitsugar.com/1842245 <p>Whether you have a goal weight in mind or are working hard to maintain your current weight, you need a way to monitor your progress. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/scale.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="320" width="300"></span><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1020394" >Looking at yourself in the mirror or seeing how your clothes fit</a> works for some people, but weighing yourself on a scale is much more precise with no room for exaggeration. The scale can't lie, but fabric can definitely stretch.</p> <p>So if you don't already own one, spring for an accurate, digital scale like this one from <a href="http://www.thecompetitiveedge.com/shop/item/123-productId.184549426_123-catId.176160793.html" target="_blank">Tanita</a> ($80). I like this scale because it displays both your current weight and your weight from the previous time you stepped on the scale. Statistics show that people who <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55489" target="_blank">weigh themselves regularly</a> (either weekly or daily), lose more weight and prevent weight gain more successfully than those who don't weigh themselves. You don't have to spend this much money, but make sure you don't skimp either. You can think of it as an investment in your new lifestyle. </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1842245#comment Diet Tip scale Weight Loss Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1842245 http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250 <p>We all know we should be eating more vegetables, but when it comes to dining out, aside from ordering a salad or veggie entrée, meals tend to be lacking in the vegetable department. So don't be shy. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/veg.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="207" width="300"></span>Ask your waiter or waitress if you can add veggies to your meal. Ask for specific veggies that you love, or ask them to surprise you with a mix. Add them to your pizza, pasta dishes, stir-fries, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and eggs. Chinese, Thai, and Italian restaurants are usually happy to accommodate your request, but it can't hurt to ask when you're dining at other places, too. You may have to pay a little extra for added veggies, but it's so worth it considering your mouth will love the tasty variety, and your body will appreciate the extra fiber and nutrients. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250#comment Diet Tip Food vegetables Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250 http://www.fitsugar.com/1822893 <p>When it comes to dieting, <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1591035" >exercise really is the magic pill</a>. Calorie restriction and exercise have long been known as the dieting duo necessary for success. Unfortunately the necessary amount of time spent exercising is often grossly underestimated. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/stk101832cor.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="240" width="240"></span>New research from the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7530345.stm" target="_blank">University of Pittsburgh</a> found that 55 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 days a week was needed to not only lose weight, but more importantly to maintain weight. The four year study, involving 200 women, emphasizing the calorie restriction alone is not enough. Moderate exercise is necessary for getting the weight off and keeping it off, which often proves more difficult than losing the weight in the first place. </p> <p>Just a reminder: moderate exercise is considered any activity that makes you "slightly breathless," and should be at least 50 percent of your maximum heart rate (220 minus your age). A higher heart rate will burn more calories, so if you're exercising as part of your weight loss plan, feel free to work out in a higher heart rate zone. This <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/calculator" > heart rate calculator</a> will help guide you. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1822893#comment Diet Tip exercise Weight Loss Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1822893 http://www.fitsugar.com/1822973 <p>Eating your dinner blindfolded may be the key to gaining control over your portion sizes. Now don't worry I'm not talking every night, just one meal.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/31_2008/200246566-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="275"></span>Last night, my mom told me that she and my dad each took turns eating dinner blindfolded. They felt they were overeating, but were not sure if maybe they were just really hungry. So they tried this blindfold experiment to find out if their sense of fullness was somehow visual. One person would put the blindfold on and eat until he/she felt full; then the blindfold was removed. In both cases they both unknowingly stopped eating without finishing their plates — something they rarely do otherwise. Now they just fill their plates with less food, listen to their stomach a lot more, and don't feel bad for not finishing eating every last bite.</p> <p>The experiment intrigued me and I am begging my husband to do it with me too. I am wondering if I sometimes ignore my stomach's cues telling me I am full in an effort to please my eyes (and emotions) and finish my plate. Try it out and let me know what you find.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1822973#comment blindfold Diet Tip portion control Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1822973 http://www.fitsugar.com/1781719 <p>Eating quickly is a habit. Mealtimes have become a speedy endeavor, rather than a time to sit down and enjoy eating food. A good meal is truly one of the simple pleasures of life and we get to do it at least three times a day. If you need to slow down, I have an idea for you.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/left.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="356" width="400"></span></p> <p>Try eating an entire meal with your less-dominant hand. If you're right handed, eat with your left. Yes, it will feel weird, but that's a good thing. The struggle to coordinate reaching a fork or spoon to your mouth will force you to eat more slowly. You will savor the effort and the taste. Surely, using your nondominant hand will help you <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1764359" >take 20 minutes to eat</a> a meal. Try it and tell me how it goes. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1781719#comment Diet Tip Food less dominant hand Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1781719 http://www.fitsugar.com/1757702 <p>I like to think of dieting as a lifestyle change, not just a means of limiting calories. This means when the weekend rolls around, you need to continue your healthy lifestyle and forgo the many <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/712824" >splurges</a> Saturday and Sunday can offer, like brunch and extra cocktails.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/28_2008/brunch.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="268" width="500"></span><br /> New research <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news134135520.html" target="_blank">from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis</a> indicates that dieters tend to eat more calories on the weekend. Eating more calories than you expend means you slow down weight loss. I think an occasional splurge is OK, but two days of consistent splurges can make the needle on the scale stagnate, or even worse head in the wrong direction. </p> <p>Going "weekend casual" doesn't mean you can let your willpower off the hook. Watch your portions of both food and alcohol. Plan ahead just like you do during the week. Don't sabotage your hard earned week of work in two days. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1757702#comment Diet Tip Dieting Health weekend Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1757702 http://www.fitsugar.com/1743792 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/26_2008/yogurt" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="260" width="300"></span>Yogurt is a staple at my house. We all love it. What I don't love, however, is the <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/133726" >high sugar content </a>in most vanilla yogurts. The trouble is my girls find plain yogurt, which has no added sugars too sour to eat. I have come up with a simple solution that I think is brilliant – I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. I simply mix equal parts vanilla yogurt with plain yogurt in a bowl and serve this mixture. </p> <p>This way everyone's taste buds are satisfied, both sweet and sour, and my need to cut unnecessary sugar and calories from breakfast and snacks is satisfied as well.</p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1743792#comment cut sugar Diet Tip Yogurt Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1743792 http://www.fitsugar.com/1740018 <p>If you eat lunch at noon, but don't dine until the sun goes down, chances are high you're going to need a something-something to tide you over until dinner. Around three or four in the afternoon, you probably start craving some sustenance. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/28_2008/yog.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>If you're watching what you eat and trying to limit the number of calories you consume, you may be tempted to head into the office lunch room for "just one bite" of the brownies your co-worker brought in, or just one pretzel, or just one whatever. This won't satisfy your hunger though, and you'll probably end up going back again and again for more "bites." This habit of grazing may make it seem like you're eating less calories, but you'll probably end up eating more since you're not really keeping track of how much you're eating. </p> <p>Instead of grazing, make yourself a healthy snack. You'll feel so much more satisfied when you can sit down and really enjoy what you prepared, and you'll have more control over the amount of calories. Here are some <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/snack%20attack" >healthy snack ideas</a> that should help cure your cravings. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1740018#comment Diet Tip don't graze Food Snack Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1740018 http://www.fitsugar.com/1743561 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/26_2008/dv1977012.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="250"></span>Eating in front of the TV has never been a good idea; people tend to overeat since they are not paying attention to the simple act of eating. Distracted by the on-screen drama, they just keep putting food in their mouths. <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/mindless+eating" >Mindless eating</a> generally means eating more. <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625140622.htm" target="_blank">New research</a> out of the US and Europe indicates that morbid images from TV shows may add to this problem since they inspire overeating as well. Images and ideas from grisly crime shows evoke death-related thoughts, which inspire a heightened sense of awareness and mortality. To diminish uncomfortable thoughts about the end of life and our place in the universe, people tend to eat. And they don't just eat, they overeat to escape. </p> <p>Next time you're watching <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/CSI" >CSI</a>, keep the chips in the kitchen at an out-of-comfort range. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1743561#comment Diet Tip mindless eating morbid thoughts Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1743561 http://www.fitsugar.com/1737109 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/26_2008/300.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>When it's about 6 p.m. and I start making dinner, I sometimes find it hard to resist snacking. If this sounds familiar then here's an odd, but effective trick to keep you from munching. Try wearing <a href="http://www.drugstore.com/qxp69313_333181_sespider/crest_whitestrips/dental_whitening_system_strips.htm" target="_blank">Crest Whitestrips</a> while you cook. For the 30 minutes they're in your mouth, you cannot eat or drink. It'll take you about that long to prepare your meal. By the time you're ready to eat, you can remove the strips and your appetite won't be spoiled with mindless snacking.</p> <p><a href="http://www.drugstore.com/qxp69313_333181_sespider/crest_whitestrips/dental_whitening_system_strips.htm" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1737109#comment Cravings Diet Tip prevent snacking Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1737109 http://www.fitsugar.com/1678981 <p>If you tend to <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/657610" >overeat</a> because you're stressed, overworked, or depressed, instead of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1598381" >turning towards food</a> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/25_2008/chip.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>to cope with your problems or fears, get to the root of your feelings. Satiating your soul with food is only a temporary fix, and after you binge on comforting foods, those emotions will still be with you. So ask yourself what you need in order to make your life (or that particular moment) better. Talk to a friend, your boss, make an appointment with a therapist, or write in a journal. Not only will you feel more relieved emotionally, but physically you won't feel bloated or cranky from inhaling half a package or Oreos.<br /> <br><br /> <a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1678981#comment Diet Tip emotional eating Food Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1678981 http://www.fitsugar.com/1691432 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/23_2008/snackwells.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="250"></span>Often we see the term "low-fat" or "nonfat" on a product, and it triggers something in our brains to think that we can eat more of the item because, after all, it's low-fat. Just keep in mind that it's very possible to end up eating more calories by eating a lot of the low-fat food rather than just eating a small amount of the full-fat food. This happened to me when Snackwells came out. Remember those? They were the first mass-marketed low-fat cookie on the market, and I was gobbling them up, literally. </p> <p>I'm not saying you should stop eating low-fat, but remember that a bag of cookies labeled as low-fat does not give you the green light to eat the whole bag. Personally, I'd rather have one really good full-fat cookie and be done with it. </p> <p>Have you ever overindulged on something because it was low-fat or nonfat?</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snackwells-Creme-Sandwich-Cookies-7-75-Ounce/dp/B000FA395I" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1691432#comment Diet Tip Food low fat Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1691432 http://www.fitsugar.com/1690599 <p>It is June and wedding season in is in full bloom. Weddings are fun-filled events, but beware of the buffet. It is all too easy to pile the calories onto one little plate. Here are a few suggestions on how to survive with the buffet table.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/23_2008/table.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="266" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li><b>Survey the Table</b>: Don't start at the beginning of the table and take one of everything the buffet has to offer. Give the table a once over and pick out the healthiest options. Put those options on your plate.</li> <li><b>Easy on the Drinks</b>: Alcoholic drinks are surprisingly high in calories. Plus they diminish your willpower, making it harder for you to make wise decisions.</li> <li><b>Drink Plenty of Water</b>: By all means toast with a glass of bubbly, but stick to water for the rest of the evening. It is refreshing, zero calories, and might just make you feel more full. </li> <li><b>Walk the Line Once</b>: Don't go back for seconds. Just don't. You want to save room for cake, right? </li> <li><b>Avoid Hors d'oeuvre</b>: Starters tend to be high in calories. It seems like food eaten off a napkin doesn't really count; but it does. Go for the crudités – feel no need to limit your consumption of these raw veggies. For dipping sauce, on the other hand, keep a light tough. </li> <li><b>Stop When You're Full</b>: Sometimes we all need to be reminded for the obvious. When you are full, stop eating. That is the best way to not over indulge. Just think how light you will feel on the dance floor. </li> </ul> <p>How do you deal with the buffet table at any event? Share your advice in the comments section below.</p> <p>Don't forget top check out all the wedding fun on <a href="http://www.idosugar.com/" >IDoSugar</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1690599#comment buffet Diet Tip tips on buffet table wedding Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1690599 http://www.fitsugar.com/1678977 <p>If you're <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1646384" >trying to lose weight</a>, you're probably modifying your diet and eating fewer calories than you burn. If this causes you to feel hungry, then you're going to end up eating those missing calories and not be able to reach your goal. To quell that hunger feeling, you want to make the calories that you do eat count. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/23_2008/ap.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="315" width="300"></span>Since foods rich in fiber keep you feeling full and satisfied longer than other foods, you want to make sure that every time you eat, you include high-fiber foods. Some great choices are fresh <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/209893" >fruits</a>, <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/214540" >veggies</a>, dried fruits, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Also, try to switch out your old pasta, cereal, and bread with whole-grain versions. Not only will this keep your hunger at bay, but eating fiber throughout the day will help you get the <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/729004" >30 grams of fiber</a> you should be getting anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1678977#comment Diet Tip Fiber Food Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1678977 http://www.fitsugar.com/1624714 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/22_2008/W.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="391" width="300"></span>When I was in college, I gained well over the <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1532731" >Freshman 15</a>, and when I had my annual doctor's appointment, I was shocked at the numbers on the scale. From that point on, I made a little pact with myself to lose the extra weight, and to keep it off, and to never let myself get past that amount again. All these years since college this is one life lesson that has stuck.</p> <p>So I was wondering, do you too have a red-flag weight? Does it work for you? Tell us all about it in the comment section below.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a><br /> <br><br /> <br><br /> <br><br /> <br></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1624714#comment Diet Tip red flag weight Speak Up Thu, 29 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1624714 http://www.fitsugar.com/1662981 <p>When you're trying to lose a few pounds, it's common to limit your intake of fattening, sugary, or <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/salty+series" >salty foods</a>. The problem is, you can end up having obsessive cravings for foods when you deny yourself the indulgence. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/22_2008/mmm.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="306" width="300"></span>So instead of skipping out completely and then breaking down and devouring an entire bag of M&amp;Ms, allow yourself a little taste each day. Schedule a time to enjoy a reasonable amount of your <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/232494" >favorite treat</a>, and do it at a time right before you normally crave it. If you have a hard time cutting yourself off after a few bites, then pre-bag small portions for the week — it'll be easier to stop eating if you don't have the entire batch of chocolate chip cookies right in front of you. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1662981#comment Diet Tip Food indulgence schedule treats treat Wed, 28 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1662981 http://www.fitsugar.com/1628672 <p>I have recently been introduced to a new phenomenon while eating out that can help all of us keep to a healthy diet: half sizes. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/20_2008/dv1398018.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="200"></span>I was eating out with my girlfriend and she orders the grilled glazed salmon but then adds, "Oh, and I'd like the half size please." Being that I did not see half sizes on the menu anywhere, I was shocked when the waiter answered, "Sure thing." I asked her about how she knew to order a half size and she told me that she always does — restaurants don't typically print half sizes on the menu, but unlike with <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1015950" >kids meals</a> many will serve them to you. Sneaky, eh? </p> <p>I've been trying the half size theory out on my own and it's been hit or miss. I'd say about half of the restaurants I go to serve half sizes. Some just say they don't do half sizes, so you get the regular size meal and take half home, no big deal. But if they do, you're going to be saving yourself a lot of calories and not to mention cash while eating out. To me, it's worth asking.</p> <p>Do you already order half sizes? Tell me in the comments section below.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1628672#comment Diet Tip Eating out half sizes Fri, 16 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1628672 http://www.fitsugar.com/1624709 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/20_2008/orange.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>If you're trying to lose weight, when choosing between fruit and fruit juice, stick with fruit. The whole fruit not only offers <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1607503" >more fiber</a> than fruit juice, it contains fewer calories as well. Eating fiber not only <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/116181" >prevents certain types of cancers</a> and <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/822343" >keeps you regular</a>, but it also helps fill you up so you're less likely to eat as many calories. I'm not saying you should give up juice entirely, but if you have a choice it's best to choose the original source. If sweet beverages are your weakness, fruit juice is definitely a better option than soda for its nutritional benefits, but it still contains just about as many calories (8.1 ounces of Coca-Cola contains <a href="http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-sodas-soft-drinks-coca-cola-classic_f-Y2lkPTE1NiZiaWQ9MjI0JmZpZD0xMDc4NTEmZWlkPTI3ODY4NDMyMiZwb3M9MSZwYXI9JmtleT1zb2Rh.html" target="_blank">97 calories</a>). So if you're watching your calorie intake, you may want to limit yourself to one eight-ounce glass a day, and opt for water or <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/160849" >herbal teas</a> for the rest of the day.</p> <p>To emphasize my point I have made a handy little chart comparing an orange to a serving of orange juice. To see it, just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1624709">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1624709#comment Diet Tip Fiber Food fruit compared with fruit juice Wed, 14 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1624709 http://www.fitsugar.com/1614197 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/19_2008/200325434-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="225"></span>If you spend a lot of time eating out, then be realistic about how many calories you think you're consuming. <b>MSNBC</b> reported on a recent study that found we all tend to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24512437/" target="_blank">underestimate how many calories</a> we're eating when eating out — by 93 percent! </p> <p>If you're eating something that seems like it is healthy, like a whole grain bagel with a thin layer of veggie cream cheese, then it probably is. If the bagel is loaded with veggie cream cheese, then probably not so healthy. But do be realistic and pay attention to what you put in your body. Just because it says whole grain and veggies does not always mean it's healthy or low in calories. </p> <p>With all this in mind, tell me <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1612189" >how many nights a week you cook at home</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1614197#comment Calories Diet Tip Eating out Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1614197 http://www.fitsugar.com/1536035 <p>When dieting, it's hard not to fixate on the unhealthy foods you should avoid. Many women who diet choose to eliminate soda, salty foods, dessert, high-fat foods, and huge servings. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/18_2008/cereal.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="295" width="300"></span>This can make you really depressed, and it often leads to binging on the forbidden foods you crave or can make you go back to your unhealthy eating habits. </p> <p>So instead of obsessing about what you can't have, think about what you can have and <i>should</i> be having. One thing you can do is focus on getting five to nine servings of fruits and veggies. Are there some new ones you've never tried like <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1110269" >asparagus</a>, artichokes, or <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/706621" >pomegranates</a>? What about seasonal fruits and veggies? I like to work them into my meals by adding a huge variety to the main dish, not just having them as a side dish or snack. That way my taste buds are happy and my stomach feels satisfied. You can also think about how you can get your <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/fiber" >30 grams of fiber a day</a>. High-fiber foods not only taste great, but they'll keep you feeling full longer, so you'll eat less calories. Whole grains are another type of food you should be eating. Get creative about how you can work them into your diet (make hot cereal with barley instead of oats). Also think about all the <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1552410" >healthy fats</a> you can include like nuts, nut butters, avocado, and olive oil. There are so many healthy foods out there that you <i>can</i> eat, so if you take advantage of them, you'll think less about what you're missing out on.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1536035#comment Diet Tip Fiber Food healthy food Whole Grains Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1536035 http://www.fitsugar.com/1573089 <p>When it comes to snacking, I tend to stroll into the kitchen, grab the easiest most appealing bag or box, and start <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/17_2008/chip.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>munching. Sound familiar? The thing is though, if you keep reaching into the bag for more, it's easy to lose track of how much you actually ate, and you can end up eating way more calories than you meant to.</p> <p>So instead, measure out a serving size or take a handful and put it on a plate. Then close the bag, and put it away. This goes for any kind of snack food you buy— bags, boxes, and containers. Don't eat straight out of the big box of whole grain crackers or bag of nuts either. Just because these are healthy snacks doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want and the calories don't add up. </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1573089#comment Diet Tip don't eat from the bag Food Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1573089 http://www.fitsugar.com/1565703 <p>Who, regardless of age or body type wouldn't want to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23547010/" target="_blank">burn calories more efficiently</a>? Boosting your metabolism is fairly easy and can be as simple as eating regularly, not sipping some <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/245176" > super caffeinated energy drink</a>.</p> <p>Here are some ideas on how to boost your metabolism:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/668336" >Eat breakfast</a>. Eating in the morning will help to jump-start your metabolism for the rest of the day. Plus studies show that eating breakfast will help to increase your resting metabolic rate by 10 percent. I'm not talking about coffee and a danish here. Make sure it's full of fiber, protein, and whole grains.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/17_2008/cheese.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="406" width="300"></span> <li><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/763935" >Don't skip meals</a> or <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1534986" >deny yourself food when you're hungry</a>. Food fuels our bodies, and not giving your body the fuel it needs will slow down your metabolism, so you burn less calories. </p> <li>Make sure you're getting your fill of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/178844" >B vitamins</a> (B6, <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/640618" >B12</a>, <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/146087" >folate</a>, thiamin and <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/121497" >niacin</a>). These are important when it comes to metabolizing carbs, fats, and proteins. Not getting enough will slow down your metabolism, not to mention make you feel tired, depressed, and increase your risk for chronic disease.</li> <li style="width:550px;">Get your fill of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/196210" >magnesium</a> since it's also important for energy metabolism. Eat dark green veggies, halibut, almonds, cashews, peanuts and peanut butter, soybeans (tempeh or edamame), whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, and beans.</li> </ul> <p>What else can speed up your metabolism? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1565703">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1565703#comment burning calories Diet Tip metabolism Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1565703 http://www.fitsugar.com/1536202 <p>If you're watching your waistline, you're probably watching what you eat, too, not to mention exercising regularly as well. Yay for you and your healthy and possibly new habits, but in truth they can sometimes leave you hungry. Set yourself up for success by loading your cupboards and fridge with healthy convenience foods. Stock your kitchen with ready-to-eat snacks that are healthy, delicious, and packed with fiber. These will satisfy your cravings and keep you feeling full longer, so you're less likely to return to the kitchen for more snacks. Here are some ideas:</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/17_2008/berry.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="225" width="300"></span> <ul> <li>Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, pears, and berries</li> <li>Real fruit and veggie juices</li> <li>Frozen edamame</li> <li>Tomatoes (slice one and sprinkle a little cheese on top)</li> <li>Hummus and whole grain crackers</li> </ul> <p>What else makes for delicious and quick snacking ideas? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1536202">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1536202#comment convenience foods Diet Tip Food healthy snack Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1536202 http://www.fitsugar.com/1536774 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/15_2008/stk310234rkn.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span>I don't know if it's just me, but I've realized the adjective for foods on menus can be an eye opener on whether or not the food is good or bad for you — without even knowing what the food is. Restaurants can't say, mixed with full-fat whipping cream or contains about a stick of butter so they use adjectives to pleasantly describe the food. Think about all the adjectives used on menus today: crunchy, drenched, cheesy, crispy, buttery, deep fried, creamy, indulgent, caramelized, chocolately, sinful, melty, etc. While my mouth is watering by just writing these tasty adjectives, they can really add additional calories, sugar, and saturated fat (and who knows what else). </p> <p>Case in point. Picture your average dinner salad. Sounds innocent enough until you read that is a dinner salad drenched in the tangy house dressing piled with extra-crunchy croutons. So be really cautious of the adjectives used to describe your foods when eating out at a restaurant, they can provide a little more insight (and calories) than you may have previously thought.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1536774#comment Diet Tip Eating out menu adjectives Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1536774 http://www.fitsugar.com/1534986 <p>If you're trying to drop a few pounds, you know that you <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/15_2008/eat.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="451" width="300"></span>need to be consuming fewer calories. That doesn't mean you should stop eating or miss meals altogether though. When your body is hungry, you've got to feed it. <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-mistakes-6-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight" target="_blank">Research</a> shows that skipping out on eating and ignoring your hunger pains will only cause you to eat more later on in the day. Personally, I know if I <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/763935" >skip out on eating</a> my afternoon snack, I'll crave everything in sight and end up stuffing my face and <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/657610" >overeating</a> when it's dinnertime. So instead, curb your hunger by eating small snacks or meals, so your mind doesn't fixate on food. Choose foods that are full of fiber (like fruits and veggies) or high in protein (like cheese and yogurt) since those will satisfy your belly and keep you feeling full the longest.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1534986#comment Diet Tip hunger skipping meals Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1534986 http://www.fitsugar.com/1523458 <p>I am not sure which is more difficult, losing the weight or keeping it off. After research involving thousands of overweight to obese subjects, <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-04-02-set-point_N.htm?csp=34" target="_blank">George Blackburn</a>, an associate director of the division of nutrition at Harvard Medical School, created the 10 percent plan to help people keep off the lost weight. Since the body unfortunately evolved to hang onto excess weight, losing it in stages helps combat the boomerang affect that can happen with rapid weight loss. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/14_2008/diter.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="250" width="250"></span>His plan works like this – basically you lose 10 percent of your body weight and then maintain that weight for six months before beginning another round of weight loss. For example, a person weighing 220 pounds would have the goal of losing 22 to pounds. Once the weight is lost, it takes six months for the body to adjust to that weight, or as Black burn refers to it, the new, lower "set point." As you lose weight you need to take a pause to let the complex mechanisms of the body recalibrate to your new set point. Once this recalibration happens, your body is no longer conspiring to maintain your predieting weight, but your new lower weight. From there you can proceed to lose more and stand a much better chance of keeping it off. </p> <p>Sounds fascinating to me. If you are interested in more details check out his book <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061288678/Break_Through_Your_Set_Point/index.aspx" target="_blank">Break Through You Set Point</a>. You can find it <a href="http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:The%20Break%20Through%20Your%20Set%20Point%3A%20How%20to%20Finally%20Lose%20the%20Weight%20You%20Want%20and%20Keep%20It%20Off:3005199168;_ylt=AtRqd8brx4d48WKxnBITCnUbFt0A;_ylu=X3oDMTBic2hxMGNhBGx0AzQEc2VjA3Ny?clink=dmps/break_through_your_set_point.3a._how_to_finally_lose_the_weight_you_want_and_keep_it_off.2c./ctx=mid:1,pid:3005199168,pdid:1,pos:1,spc:14489115,date:20080403,srch:kw,x:" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1523458#comment 10 percent plan Diet Tip Dieting Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:45:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1523458 http://www.fitsugar.com/657610 <p>You eat when you're hungry and you stop when you're full. Makes sense right, but it can be a hard rule to follow. Not only does food taste good and make us happy when we eat it, but portion sizes have gotten out of control. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/14_2008/food.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="385" width="300"></span>Restaurants serve huge plates of food and all you can eat buffets offer an endless amount, so we don't realize that we're actually eating two or three times the calories we should be. Here are some <a href="http://men.webmd.com/guide/overcoming-overeating" target="_blank">tips to help prevent you from overeating</a>.</p> <ul> <li>Savor the first few bites. Those initial moments the food enters your mouth are the most satisfying because your taste buds are so sensitive. Taking the time to enjoy those first bites or spoonfuls of food may prevent you from eating until you're stuffed.</p> <li style="width:550px;">Eat slowly. When your stomach is full, your brain won't necessarily get the message until 20 minutes later. So if you take time to enjoy every bite, you'll be able to notice when your body feels satisfied. If you scarf down your food quickly, you'll end up eating much more than you need, and you won't realize it until after you're stuffed.</li> </ul> <p>To see the other helpful tips </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/657610">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/657610#comment Diet Tip overeating Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/657610 http://www.fitsugar.com/1517187 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/12981/32_2007/chewing.jpg" alt="" title="" class="outline right image preview" height="200" width="300"></span>We read it time and time again, but one of the simplest rules of weight loss is often ignored: To lose weight, you need to expend more calories than you take in. There are plenty of dieting strategies to help you do this, from keeping <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/912544" >a food diary</a> to <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/994622" >cycling calories</a>. But the magical, yet simple, formula remains the same.</p> <p>In a <a href="http://health.yahoo.com/experts/rockertraining/9571/keep-it-simple-keep-it-off/" target="_blank">recent column on Yahoo Health</a>, personal trainer Debbie Rocker elaborates on this quintessential weight loss equation with some common-sense reminders, which I can certainly use from time to time! To see Rocker's advice, </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1517187">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1517187#comment calorie intake Calories Diet Tip Dieting exercise Weight Loss weight loss formula Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1517187 http://www.fitsugar.com/1514263 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/14_2008/200325352-001.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span>Just because you're eating out does not mean you need to conform to eating the oversized entrées. One thing that I often do when I am eating out is order from the starters/appetizers on the menu. Not only are the portions way smaller, but I am also able to get a taste of more foods than just one giant helping of the same meal. I've even gotten my husband on board by convincing him that it's just like eating tapas, which means we're able to split a few starters between us. Be careful though, small portions of some starters pack a lot of calories, so steer clear of menu items containing buzz words such as creamy, fried, and crispy.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1514263#comment appetizer Diet Tip Eating out tapas Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1514263 http://www.fitsugar.com/1139570 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/13_2008/dv366013a.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="250"></span>If you're anything like me, you like to cook and chew. This means that as you're cooking you're also eating. The thing is that a bite here and a bite there (plus that glass of wine) can quickly add up until you’ve consumed a meal’s worth of calories before you've even sat down for dinner. Oops, guilty as charged, especially when I am baking dessert or boiling pasta. So instead of cooking and chewing on your dinner-in-progress, keep your mouth occupied with something else. Chewing gum always does the trick for me but if I'm absolutely starving, I cut up some bite sized veggies to eat as I prepare my main meal and treat them as my appetizer. </p> <p>Do you cook and chew? If so, what do you do to avoid it? </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1139570#comment chop and chew cooking Diet Tip Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1139570 http://www.fitsugar.com/1118663 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/skd253638sdc.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="275"></span>If you're constantly eating out then you may want to take a tip from the <a href="http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Aju2iUc_e.cPKVgvvxEAAicEgFoB;_ylu=X3oDMTBhNjRqazhxBHNlYwNzZWFyY2g-?p=wall+street+diet&amp;did=" target="_blank">Wall Street Diet</a>, which sounds a lot worse than it really is. One suggestion from the book is that you try to allow yourself one treat at a restaurant. This could be either a somewhat healthy dessert, a piece of the once-forbidden bread, or an additional alcoholic beverage. Allowing one indulgence will help make healthy choices a little easier and you won't feel like you're on a strict diet — and let's face it, one treat is not going to kill you.</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1118663#comment Diet Tip indulgence the wall street diet Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1118663 http://www.fitsugar.com/1113797 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/skd259453sdc.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="275"></span>If you're not one to drink water throughout the day then you may be missing out on some major calorie-cutting benefits. <b>USA Weekend</b> reported on <a href="http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060716/060716health_tips.html" target="_blank">research</a> that found that those who drank around seven cups of water a day ate, on average, 200 fewer calories than those who don't. This could be because your body can mix up the feelings of thirst and hunger, which means you may think you're hungry when you're really just thirsty. So keep a cup nearby and remember to drink up, you just may end up eating less calories that way. </p> <p><b>Fit's Tip:</b> If you don't like plain old water, there are tons and tons of low- (or no-) calorie flavored waters out there for you to try. A lemon or lime slice popped in my glass does it for me. </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1113797#comment cutting calories Diet Tip thrist Water Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1113797 http://www.fitsugar.com/1015795 <p>Now that Spring is almost here, many of you have your minds on bathing suit season. Summer is inevitable. If you're trying to maintain the weight you have or to lose a couple pounds, it's true that you can't stuff your face with tons of junk food. That doesn't mean, however, that you need to completely deny yourself the foods you love. Practice a little self-control <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/11_2008/cake.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="356" width="300"></span>and limit those not-so-healthy foods you crave, but don't ditch them altogether. </p> <p>I'm not saying you should eat unhealthy food all the time, but every once in a while, you need to let yourself indulge. Having a few bites of your favorite food can help curb your craving so you don't end up obsessing about it, breaking down, and devouring an entire plate of brownies. Make the word "moderation" your mantra. </p> <p><b>Fit's Tips:</b> When you go out to eat, if you want to get some French fries or a brownie sundae, order a <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1015950" >kid-sized portion</a>, or split them with a friend.<br /> <br><br /> <a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1015795#comment Diet Tip eliminating foods Food food cravings Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:45:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1015795 http://www.fitsugar.com/1098964 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/1/12981/10_2008/stk75260cor.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="275"></span>If you have an affinity for candy like I do, and you find that you chow down on candy without even knowing it, you may want to keep all those wrappers around as you eat. Recent <a href="http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2007/10/31/keep_halloween_wrappers_out_to_eat_less/3418/" target="_blank">research</a> has found that having a visual reminder of how much we eat, keeps us honest and keeps us eating less. We see the empty wrappers piling up and register that it may be time to stop. So instead of throwing the wrappers in the trash can immediately keep them around for a visual cue to stop mindless eating. </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1098964#comment Candy Diet Tip mindless eating Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:30:00 -0800 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1098964