Don’t Diet! Here’s Why . . .
Over time, the majority of dieters regain any weight they may have lost, according to researchers who pored over a slew of diet studies recently. So instead of counting calories . . .
Eat for Good Health
The concept that you can permanently shrink yourself by temporarily eating less is mostly bunk — for most of us. In fact, the health benefits of short-term weight loss still need to be closely examined. Instead, your goal should be toeat nutritious foods that make you younger — and make that a lifelong habit. The good news? Your waist may shrink as a fringe benefit.
Step inside the major food categories
You probably know all the major players in the nutrition game: vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, meat-based foods, and fats. Getting an appropriate amount of each major kind of food every day is a good start toward eating a diverse diet. But can you name five different fruits you’ve eaten in the past week? Within each food category is a vast array of nutrient-rich foods, each one containing hundreds of unique substances. The key is to get to know all the different powerful choices within each food category and to introduce these different foods into your diet on a rotating basis. With a little exploration, you can find hundreds of nutritious newcomers to add to your meals and make them more satisfying and more nutritious.
Getting Started
Kick-start your lifelong healthy-eating habits with these tips:
Focus on your waist, not your weight.
Eat three main meals, plus snacks, so you’re never hungry.
Don’t buy anything with more than 4 grams of saturated fat or 4 grams of any sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup) per serving.
Strive for a rainbow of colors in your meals.
Eat a little healthy fat — like a handful of walnuts — about 20 minutes before a meal. It will take the edge off, so you won’t be tempted to overeat.
Eat a fiber-rich breakfast every day.
Walk every day for 30 minutes.
For more articles, browse Encouraging Health.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:25 am
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your website! I look forward every day to seeing new updates on it.
I come from a family with a history of all kinds of health issues…diabetes, heart attacks, cancer, obesity…so I am doing my best to combat that and sites like yours are really educational and informative.
Thanks:-)
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Thank you very much Shannon for the kind and encouraging words. As in most any family, there are a plethora of diseases and disabilities in my familial background. Since there are, I try to include a wide variety of issues, from cancer to obesity to mental disorders. I try not to take away from the other great sites here at 451 Press, as they are the best in their respective fields! The more viewpoints and ‘press’, the more these issues will be discussed. Thank you for being a loyal reader, Shannon.
Brick