Do Yourself a Flavor Favor
Looking for a way to improve low-fat foods without adding too many calories? Choose something with a strong flavor, like an aged cheese, so you can use a small amount of it while still enjoying its flavor.
For instance, adding something like parmesan cheese can help you enjoy those vegetables you don't exactly love just a little more ... which just may lead you to select them more often!
More: Add Flavor, Not Fat
Do Yourself a Flavor Favor originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 01:38:59.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Bean There, Done That?
If you're trying to choose a healthy food to begin eating more often, consider adding more beans to your diet. Not only are they full of vitamins, low in calories and packed with feel-full fiber, they contain resistant starch. This type of starch may trigger key appetite hormones that make you feel sated (full).
More: Feel Fuller and Prevent Overeating
Bean There, Done That? originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 22:30:14.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Saturday "Smart Swap!": Tuesday or Friday?
It may be a Saturday, but today's swap involves two other days of the week ... well, restaurants with other days of the week in their name.
If you order a BBQ Chicken Wrap at T.G.I. Friday's you'll be taking in what many of us allow for an entire day! Over 1,500 ... or, 1,540 to be exact.
Switch over to one of my favorite eateries, Ruby Tuesday, and order a grilled chicken wrap for less than a third of the calories ... 436 to be exact.
That's a savings of 1,104 calories! Talk about saving room for dessert!
More: Ruby Tuesday Quick Guide
Saturday "Smart Swap!": Tuesday or Friday? originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 21:41:10.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Could Your Genes Tell You Which Diet is for You?
Tired of wondering which diet is the right one for you? Recent research says your genes may hold the answer! As Ron Winslow recently reported in The Wall Street Journal, women who were found to have a genetic predisposition toward a low-carb diet lost more than two times as much weight as those who did not have the predisposition, but followed the same diet. Study participants who were found to have a genetic makeup that favored a low-fat diet lost substantially more weight than women who did not have the same genetic makeup and followed the same low-fat plan.
Could Your Genes Tell You Which Diet is for You? originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 19:23:01.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Men: Lower Your BMI to Increase Survival Rates
Men, looking for one more reason to work toward a healthier weight? According to recent research, obese men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are twice as likely to die from it than men of a healthier weight. Every point a man's BMI drops lowers his risk by nearly 7 percent.
Related Reading: What is BMI?
Men: Lower Your BMI to Increase Survival Rates originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 22:01:37.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Yes, We Have Some Bananas!
I had the chance to try out a couple new ways to use bananas. I always buy them in bulk and end up getting tired of eating them alone or in cereal so these ways are fun to use up those I might not have used otherwise.
I sprayed a pan with cooking spray and cooked slices of banana for a couple minutes. I then put a small amount of light margarine on a piece of whole-grain bread and topped the bananas and added a smidge of cinnamon sugar. Yum!
Then, I made a simple smoothie using one banana and a half cup of frozen mango chunks, about a half cup of fat-free milk and a cup of ice. A quick blend and breakfast was ready in a flash.
Do you have a fun way to add more fruit to your diet? Post it in commments!
Yes, We Have Some Bananas! originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 23:14:25.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Do You do Dairy?
Low-fat dairy products may help reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that may lead to belly fat development, thanks to calcium! Here's why.
Do You do Dairy? originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 23:11:47.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Outsmart Oversize Portions
A Penn State University survey showed that chefs routinely serve oversized portions that lead us to overeat. To avoid eating too much, ask for half the standard portion or split your main dish with a friend.
More: Automatic Portion Control
Outsmart Oversize Portions originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 23:29:44.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Look Slimmer Now!
The only thing better than getting closer to your goal weight is looking like you're even closer to your goal weight! Check out some of my top tips for dressing slimmer:
Wearing any dark color, be it navy, dark brown or black, from head to toe is slimming, particularly if you wear garments that are the right cut for your body frame (Nobody looks good in those tent-like dresses ... even in black!).
If your pants are too short they can make you look heavier, particularly if, like me, you are on the short side. A longer line -- covering most of your shoe -- will create longer-looking legs and an overall leaner look.
Choose a baby-doll style top to minimize your midsection. Choosing one with a vertical pattern will help make you look even more slender.
If you're full-busted, consider trying a turtle neck and choose round necklines whenever possible. Look for tops that are form-fitting, but not clingy.
Dress shopping isn't exactly simple for us plus size gals, but with a few of these tips in mind, it's easier:
If you have a thick waistline, look for wrap dresses that tie below your waist or an empire-style dress that sits above it.
Got an hourglass figure? Pick a dress with a defined waist that is cut a little higher on the side to make your torso look slimmer and minimize belly bulges.
Is your belly pooch your trouble spot? Be sure to avoid any extra fabrics at the middle because the extra material will add bulk to your belly.
More: 10 Ways to Look More Slender
Look Slimmer Now! originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 23:41:46.Permalink | Comment | Email this
Saturday "Smart Swap!": Olive Garden
Does your family have one favorite place that everyone likes to go to for celebration meals? Mine does. For us, that go-to restaurant is Olive Garden.
There are a lot of not so diet-friendly choices at the Garden, but that doesn't mean eating there is cause for dietary disaster! The first pick on my list used to be Garlic Herb Chicken, but at nearly 1,000 calories, it's a no-go these days. Then I learned a simple smart switch: If I order Venetian Apricot Chicken instead, I'll save a whopping 580 calories!
If you need to find a swap to make, check out About.com's Calorie Count where you can search by food or restaurant or browse categories to find your own calorie-saving switch!
Do you already have a smart swap that saves you tons of calories? Post it in comments!
Saturday "Smart Swap!": Olive Garden originally appeared on About.com Weight Loss on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 23:50:24.Permalink | Comment | Email this
-- courtesy of About.com (http://www.about.com)
