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This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive
7 Ways to Sneak off the Pounds
Trying to trim down to look great in your swimsuit? Experts agree that going on fad diets, depriving yourself of all your favorite foods, and spending hours a day at the gym are unrealistic solutions. Instead, they recommend taking sensible steps that you can stick with -- without suffering.
Two diet and nutrition experts who spoke with WebMD gave us seven simple ways to sneak off the pounds:
1. Snack Smart.
Don't let between-meal hunger undermine your weight loss efforts.
"In-between snacks can make or break your diet," advises Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, LDN, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "You need snacks if there is a more than a four-hour gap between meals, to keep blood sugar under control and prevent overeating."
Her advice: plan ahead, and take energy-boosting mini meals with you when you're on the go. Think of your snacks as opportunities to fill in the nutritional gaps in your diet (for example, with fruit and low-fat dairy products).
Good choices will include lean protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
One cup of grapes and 1 ounce of low-fat string cheese provide 120 calories and plenty of healthy nutrients. Compare that to a snack of three sandwich cookies, which contain 160 calories and virtually no nutrients.
2. Savor Every Bite
Eating slowly maximizes the pleasure you get from food, and helps you get you in touch with feelings of fullness, says Sass.
"Inhaling a meal does not give your brain a chance to get the signal that you have eaten, and as a result, you may eat more because you don't know you have already satisfied your hunger," she says.
She advises taking a little time out of your busy day and getting away from your desk at mealtime, so you can sit back and really enjoy the taste of your food.
"Get rid of the distractions such as the television or checking your email while eating -- activities that prevent you from realizing just how fast you eat," advises Sass.
Put your sandwich or fork down between bites, and pay attention to the taste and texture of your food while consciously trying to eat more slowly. It will feel like an entirely different experience, and you may find you feel full with a much smaller portion, she says.
3. Eat Your Calories, Don't Drink Them
Some beverages are worth every calorie they contain. But others -- such as sweetened juices, teas, and sodas -- satisfy thirst, not hunger, even though they can add plenty of calories throughout the day.
"Research studies show that swallowing calories does not give the same level of satisfaction as slowly chewing food," says Connie Diekman, MEd, RD, LD, FADA, president-elect of the American Dietetic Association
For example, a 20-ounce sweetened soft drink has the same number of calories and carbohydrates as a large bagel. But while the bagel will fill you up, the soda won't, says Sass.
You could lose a pound in three weeks by simply cutting out one 12-ounce can of sweetened soda each day. Substitute a diet soda or, better yet, water (plain or sparkling) with a splash of citrus, for hydration without extra calories.
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