Weigh Less Eat More

Image by jackiebese via FlickrHave you tried to lose weight by cutting down the amount of food you eat? Do you still feel hungry and not satisfied after eating? Or have you avoided trying to lose weight because you're afraid of feeling hungry all the time? If so, you are not alone. Many people throw in the towel on weight loss because they feel deprived and hungry when they eat less. But there is another way. Aim for a slow, steady weight loss by decreasing calorie intake while maintaining an adequate nutrient intake and increasing physical activity. You can cut calories without eating less nutritious food. The key is to eat foods that will fill you up without eating a large amount of calories.
If I cut calories, won't I be hungry?
Research shows that people get full by the amount of food they eat, not the number of calories they take in. You can cut calories in your favorite foods by lowering the amount of fat and or increasing the amount of fiber-rich ingredients, such as vegetables or fruit.
Let's take macaroni and cheese as an example. The original recipe uses whole milk, butter, and full-fat cheese. This recipe has about 540 calories in one serving (1 cup).

Here's how to remake this recipe with fewer calories and less fat:
* Use 2 cups non-fat milk instead of 2 cups whole milk.
* Use 8 ounces light cream cheese instead of 21⁄4 cups full-fat cheddar cheese.
* Use 1 tablespoon butter instead of 2 or use 2 tablespoons of soft trans-fat free margarine.
* Add about 2 cups of fresh spinach and 1 cup diced tomatoes (or any other veggie you like).
Your redesigned mac and cheese now has 315 calories in one serving (1 cup). You can eat the same amount of mac and cheese with 225 fewer calories.
photo of macaroni and cheese with 315 calories
What foods will fill me up?
To be able to cut calories without eating less and feeling hungry, you need to replace some higher calorie foods with foods that are lower in calories and fat and will fill you up. In general, this means foods with lots of water and fiber in them. The chart below will help you make smart food choices that are part of a healthy eating plan.
These foods will fill you up with less calories. Choose them more often… These foods can pack more calories into each bite. Choose them less often…
Fruits and Vegetables
(prepared without added fat) Fried foods
Spinach, broccoli, tomato, carrots, watermelon, berries, apples Eggs fried in butter, fried vegetables, French fries
Low-fat and fat-free milk products Full-fat milk products
Low- or fat-free milk, low or fat-free yogurt,
low- or fat-free cottage cheese Full-fat cheese, full-fat ice cream,
whole and 2% milk
Broth-based soup Dry snack foods
Vegetable-based soups, soups with chicken or beef broth, tomato soups (without cream) Crackers or pretzels, cookies, chips, dried fruits
Whole grains Higher-fat and higher-sugar foods
Brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat
pastas, popcorn Croissants,margarine, shortening and butter,
doughnuts, candy bars, cakes and pastries
Lean meat, poultry and fish Fatty cuts of meat
Grilled salmon, chicken breast without skin,
ground beef (lean or extra lean) Bacon, brisket, ground beef (regular)
Legumes (beans and peas)
Black, red kidney and pinto beans (without added fat), green peas, black-eyed peas
A healthy eating plan is one that —
* Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat free or low-fat milk and milk products.
* Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
* Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
* Stays within your calorie needs.
Technically speaking…
The number of calories in a particular amount or weight of food is called "calorie density" or "energy density." Low-calorie-dense foods are ones that don't pack a lot of calories into each bite.
Foods that have a lot of water or fiber and little fat are usually low in calorie density. They will
help you feel full without an unnecessary amount of calories.
Here are some more ideas for cutting back on calories without eating less and being hungry:
Instead of... Try...
Fried chicken sandwich
Fried chicken sandwich
with 1 tbsp. mayonnaise
= 599 calories Grilled chicken salad
Grilled chicken salad
with low-fat dressing
2 cups lettuce, 2 oz. grilled
chicken breast, 2 tbsp. light
balsamic vinaigrette dressing
= 178 calories
Cream-based soup
Cream-based soup
1 cup mushroom bisque
= 400 calories Broth-based soup
Broth-based soup
1 cup minestrone
= 112 calories
Chips or pretzels
Chips or pretzels
1.5 oz. pretzels
= 162 calories Baby carrots with hummus
Baby carrots with hummus
16 baby carrots with 1 tbsp. hummus
= 75 calories
Good things can come in big packages!
People eat more than they realize when faced with large portion sizes. This usually means eating too many calories. But, not all large portions are created equal. Larger portions of water- and fiber-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, and broth-based soups, can fill you up with less calories. Start with an appetizer. Research shows that if you eat a low-calorie appetizer before a meal, you will eat fewer total calories during the meal. Start your meals with a broth-based soup or a green salad without a large amount of cheese, or croutons.
For more on portion sizes, see How to Avoid Portion Size Pitfalls to Help Manage Your Weight.
Fruits and veggies: keep it simple!
Most fruits and veggies are low-calorie and will fill you up, but the way you prepare them can change that. Breading and frying, and using high-fat creams or butter with vegetables and fruit will add extra calories. Try steaming vegetables and using spices and low-fat sauces for flavor. And enjoy the natural sweetness of raw fruit.
For more on fruits and vegetables, see How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight.
What about beverages?
While drinking beverages is important to good health, they don't help you feel full and satisfied the way food does. Choose drinks without calories, like water, sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea. Drink fat-free or low-fat milk instead of 2% or whole milk.
For more on drinks, see Rethink Your Drink

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Metabolism Health Tips

11 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism

by: Andrew Bicknell

Boosting ones metabolism is something many people try to achieve everyday. Having a high metabolic rate increases the amount of calories, or energy, the body burns on a daily basis. Without optimal metabolism the body will store excess calories as fat for future use. The problem for many people is they don�t ever use these excess calories and as a result struggle with weight issues.

There are many factors that affect a person�s metabolism including age, weight, hormonal changes, lean muscle mass, diet, genetics, stress and the amount of physical activity undertaken on a daily basis. As you can see boosting your metabolism involves many factors, but the fact of the matter is that it is relatively easy to boost your metabolism if you are committed to doing so.

Here are 11 tips to help you boost your metabolism:

1. Build lean body mass. As we age our bodies metabolism or ability to burn calories decreases. One way to offset this problem is by exercising. Lean muscle burns calories and the more you have the more calories you burn, even while resting. You can build muscle through resistance or weight training at least twice a week. You can also boost your metabolism by doing cardio exercises. You can choose to do this between or in conjunction with weight training. Simply going for a walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator are good ways to get in an aerobic workout.

2. Eat Breakfast. Many people ignore eating breakfast. What they don�t realize is that it�s the most important meal of the day. Breakfast gives your metabolism a boost and provides a consistent energy supply throughout the day. The majority of people who eat a healthy breakfast have fewer weight and health issues than those who don�t.

3. Sugar is bad. Processed and refined sugar such as found in sweets and soft drinks overload the body with sugar causing many serious health issues including obesity and diabetes. Complex carbohydrates are a better energy source because they supply an even level of blood sugar. The human body just isn�t built to deal with the large amounts of refined sugar most people include in their diet.

4. Spicy foods that make you sweat can help boost your metabolism.

5. Get a good night�s sleep. There is research that shows that people who do not get sufficient sleep tend to gain weight. This may be because the body uses sleep to heal and regenerate itself, including its muscular system.

6. Drink more water. Water is the lubricant of the body. It also flushes toxins out of the body and keeps the kidneys operating at maximum efficiency. This allows the liver more time to do what it does best, metabolize fat stores.

7. Eat small meals. Eat 5 to 6 small meals per day spaced 20 to 3 hours apart. This gives the body a steady supply of energy and prevents binge eating.

8. Don�t miss meals. Skipping meals in order to loose weight is counter productive because it actually slow metabolism and can lead to over eating.

9. Plan your meals. If you have a daily or weekly menu you are much more likely to stick to your plan.

10. Drink green tea. Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and unlike coffee does not stress the body with caffeine.

11. Include more high energy foods in your diet including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These provide a more balanced energy source and will not cause blood sugar spikes.

Boosting your metabolism can be done if you are dedicated to doing it. This does not mean you need to stress over each little thing but if you eat right and exercise you should see a decrease in body fat and a much more energetic and happy you.