You Asked: What’s the Best Way to Lose Weight?.
CURB YOUR SUGAR HABIT
Eating sugary foods might be satisfying in the moment, but they can increase your cravings for more sugary foods in the future — and that only leads to trouble. “Many foods high in added sugar are also higher in calories and fill you up less than lower-calorie, still-sweet alternatives like fruit,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in Jersey City, NJ. But there are still ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without ODing on sugar. “When you’re baking, cut out some of the sugar in recipes by adding in vanilla
BE A MINDFUL EATER
It’s easy to overdo it when you’re eating something delicious — and that’s why it’s good to focus on foods that will force you to slow down. “Slowing down can help you check in with your hunger levels. For that reason, I love snacking on 100-calorie packs of in-shell pistachios,” Gorin says. “Shelling the pistachios helps you slow down your snacking, and the shells leave a visual cue to remind you of how much you’ve eaten. Because you’re more in tune with what’s gone into your mouth, you may be less likely to have extra servings.” In one preliminary
CUT BACK ON MEAT
There’s a reason you’ve been hearing so much about cutting meat out of your diet lately. It’s not just great for your body, but also a quick way to shed some extra pounds. “Consider swapping a few meat-centric meals each week for ones centered around vegetarian proteins — or give a full-fledged vegetarian diet a try if that’s of interest to you,” Gorin says. “Research shows eating a vegetarian diet may boost and speed up weight loss, resulting in a loss of up to 10 pounds.” Gorin recommends topping a salad or
UP YOUR AVOCADO INTAKE
If you ever needed an excuse to eat more avocados, this is it. People tend to steer clear of healthy fats when they’re trying to lose weight, but they might just be the solution. Studies show that by simply adding some avocado to your lunch every day, it’ll fill you up enough that you won’t be mindlessly munching on junk food later. “Slice one in half, sprinkle a little sea salt, and eat the inside with a spoon,” says Alexandra Samit, a Be Well Health Coach at Dr. Frank Lipman’s Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in NYC.
MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PARTNER
Fighting constantly with your S.O.? It’s time to address your issues head-on. “Research has shown that cortisol, the hormone that’s released during stressful activity, is linked to fat storage,” says Gina Guddet, couples counselor and co-author of Love Metabolism. “And poor communication between couples is the most common type of stress that you tend to experience.”
START MEAL PREPPING
Meal prepping takes a few hours a week, but it’s worth it: By getting your meals ready ahead of time, you won’t be so tempted to order your go-to Chinese takeout when you’re tired and hungry after work. “When you plan an entire week of dinner in advance, you’re way less likely to go off course and indulge in foods that aren’t good for you,” says Pamela Salzman, a certified holistic health expert and cooking instructor. And since you planned things out, you’ll actually get the protein, fruit, and veggies your body needs.
ORDER WATER — AND ASK FOR A REFILL
A new German study found that when you drink 17 ounces of water (about two glasses) within a certain time frame, your metabolic rate shoots up by about 30 percent. Using these results, they estimate that by increasing your current water intake by 1.5 liters a day, a person would burn an extra 17,400 calories a year, resulting in about a five-pound weight loss.
