There seems to always be societal pressure to be thin.  From when we’re young, media portrays beautiful women and men as thin.  Too bad many of us do not realize that there’s a lot of air-brushing being done!  In my humble opinion, it is best to be healthy.  And, each person has a different weight that is healthy for their body type.  However, here are a few common things to avoid when “dieting” if you are trying to lose weight.

• Diet Soda – Research has shown that drinking beverages with artificial sweeteners (such as diet soda) actually makes you more hungry!  So forget the diet soda and drink water.  But if you really want something with flavor, I take 3/4 glass of seltzer water with 1/4 glass 100% juice with no sugar added or 3/4 glass plain ice tea with 1/4 glass fresh lemonade.  Both are refreshing and limited on the real sugar.
• Non/Low Fat Food – Again, research shows that the additives to food that make it non/low fat actually make you hungry.  Besides, it is best to eat real and avoid processed foods for your health.  Eating full fat foods isn’t really the issue in losing weight.  The real issue is quantity consumed.  Eat smaller portions and eat real food with a balance of fruits, veggies, whole grains and protein.
• Frozen Meals – Be sure to read the label!  Many frozen meals offer portion control but at a price.  Most have very high sodium levels which can contribute to poor health. Also pick a frozen meal that has ingredients you can pronounce so you know you’re eating real, not processed, food.

I will share that I used to always be on a diet.  I never felt thin enough or pretty enough because I always saw myself as a bit chubby.  As I’ve grown older and learned about health and wellness, I’ve learned that if you eat right for life, your body will find the weight that is comfortable and appropriate for you.  So my advice is eat right for life and forget about dieting:

• keep it real (avoid processed food)
• keep it simple (so you’ll do it)
• keep it fun (so you’ll maintain it)

Be Well!