6 Eating Habits for Easier Weight Loss

Going on a full-scale diet can seem like it takes up your whole life, but did you know there are some very simple eating habits you can adopt that will help you shed the pounds a whole lot easier?

Here are 6 simple ways to make dieting less of a chore:

1. Make a Habit Out of Healthy Eating

Try to get into the habit of eating healthily at almost every meal, and on nearly every day of the week. You can do the 80/20 rule and eat healthily for 80% of the time, or take Sundays off from your diet. If you do take a break, make sure to get straight back on your diet the next day.

2. Measure Out Your Food

Measuring food can seem like a real chore, but once you get used to how the correct portion sizes look on your plates and bowls, you’ll be able to do it by eye.

Use a scale or measuring cups for accuracy, and don’t pile the food up. You can also use smaller serving plates to make your portions look bigger than they are.

1 serving of whole grains = 1 slice whole wheat bread, ½ cup whole grain rice or ½ cup whole grain cereal. 1 serving of meat = 2-3 ounces (the size of a deck of playing cards), or 2-3 slices of deli meat. 1 serving dairy = 1 cup milk, 1 ounce cheese, or 6 ounce low-fat yogurt 1 serving fruit = 1 piece whole fruit or ½ cup canned fruit in juice or water

3. Keep A Record

Studies have found that keeping a food diary can help you lose weight, and you can get a good picture of how your diet really looks over the course of a week. If you don’t like writing it down, there are many apps out there to track food intake, and they will tell you how much fat, carbs, sugar, and salt you are eating too.

Food diaries are only good tools if you record everything you eat – no cheating!

4. Don’t Deprive Yourself or Hoard Calories

Don’t fast all day long and then get home so hungry you’ll eat everything in the fridge. Eat small, high-protein and fiber-rich meals during the day to keep your willpower up.

5. Don’t Get Dehydrated

Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger, and then we eat instead of drinking more water. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated, so keep drinking water and calorie-free drinks throughout the day.

6. Schedule Your Exercise

Although not a food habit, this one is also important. Many people find it easier to stick to exercise when it is scheduled, so plan out your day in advance and make time for 30 minutes of exercise. If you don’t have 30 minutes, try slipping in 10 minutes at a time when you get chance until you have done your 30 minutes.