Cold weather can make you feel like eating all the time. You actually are burning more calories keeping warm The problem is getting calories that won’t make you put on warming layers of fat. Soup always is a great choice. But it can be full of hidden calories and carbs. This is where chicken noodle soup without noodles comes in. A handy container of chicken broth is a fast, easy snack. Pop a cup in the microwave and enjoy a satisfying snack. By simmering some veggies you make a substantial meal. I also really like matzo ball soup. But of course the matzo is full of carbs. But I’ve found that by just cooking celery in the broth you have a really close replica.
So stock up with stock and when spring comes you’ll be less stocky.
TODAY: ADD SOME STOCK TO YOUR PANTRY.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day? Probably not since studies indicate that 75% of Americans are actually chronically dehydrated. That’s amazing since there seem to be water bottles everywhere. The problem with being overweight may be part of this because the thirst mechanism tricks you into thinking you’re hungry.
Here are some other facts to remember:
- Not drinking enough water slows down your metabolism.
- Almost 100% of the dieters in a University of Washington study found that a glass of water will shut down evening hunger pangs.
- Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
- Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
- A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
Nothing special is needed to meet your daily water needs. We’re fortunate in the United States to have plenty of clean, clear water right from the tap. So sit a glass by the sink and take a few swigs whenever you pass by.
TODAY: MAKE A REAL EFFORT TO DRINK MORE WATER.
An idle mind is the diet’s playground. Boredom often leads you to food. Sitting, mindlessly stuffing snacks in your face doesn’t really satisfy your needs. You may even end up feeling guilty later and that will depress you and you’ll eat some more to feel better. Get busy! I’m sure you’ve had those days when you simply forget to eat, or grab something quick. Make sure when that happens that you eat high quality protein. It will recharge your brain and boost your metabolism. Evenings? Take up a hobby, clean the house, even search the internet. It will keep your hands doing something besides reaching in a bag of calories.
TODAY: KEEP BUSY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
Okay, let’s say you’re being good all day. You watch how much you eat, keep the calories and carbs low, drink lots of water and even… wait for it… EXERCISE! But then it gets to be evening time and you get hungry and blow it. Well, maybe it has to do with when you eat dinner. Those early-bird specials are great but… they’re EARLY. If you stay up till the late news you have a third of your day to go. Even if you eat right after work, there is a lot of time till bed. That’s why you get hungry. So shift your dinner a bit later and you’ll be less tempted. Of course, don’t get too hungry before dinner. Have a hand-full of almonds or macadamias and a big glass of water. It will take the edge off and keep you from wanting bigger portions later. So eat late but don’t over eat.
TODAY: EAT DINNER A LITTLE LATER.
Night-time snacking can destroy the gains… rather… losses that you make during a day of being “good”. This week I’ll share some tips to help you stay on course and skip the desert course. So here goes.
Clean your teeth. Yes good oral hygiene is essential. Bad teeth can lead to all sorts of health problems. So this tip will help you in two ways. Right after dinner brush your teeth with mint toothpaste or swish some sweet cinnamon mouthwash. It will tell your brain you are done eating for the day while satisfying a sweet craving. If you want to insure that you won’t go ahead and eat again anyway, FLOSS. You won’t be tempted to hassle with it and you’ll really impress your hygienist the next time you get your teeth cleaned. As a plus you’ll have a really nice smile when you step on the scale!
TODAY: BUY A NEW TOOTHBRUSH.
A hot snack that will fit into any diet is a can away. Just get some chicken broth. Swanson’s is really tasty, has only 10 calories, no fat and 1 gram of carbs. When it’s cold out or when you just need a quick snack it can’t be beat. Keep some cans on hand at work and at home. If you want to add some more substance to it its easy to chop up some veggies. Celery and onion are great, sliced mushrooms different, mix up the choices to add to the low calorie soup. Anything works. Crack an egg and you’ve got some more protein for a hearty snack that will keep you going.
TODAY: DO SOME STRETCHING EXERCISES AND TRY A COUPLE OF PUSH-UPS.
A little parody of the old Ernie Ford song “16 Tons” works well to remind you to drink eight glasses of water a day. Don’t feel intimidated by how much “8 glasses of water” is. Those are 8 ounce glasses, a cup. A 16 ounce glass is two cups. (Gee, now I’m a math wizzard.) Get a pint glass, it holds sixteen ounces (that’s a pint). Just drink two of those glasses of water in the morning and two in the afternoon. But don’t ignore this! You DEFINITELY need this water to help curb your appetite and flush the proteins out of your system to keep your kidneys healthy.
Sure Ernie Ford was known as the “Ole’ Pea Picker”. Until your body adjusts to it you may be just an “Ole’ Pee er”.
TODAY: FIND A 16 OUNCE GLASS TO USE WHEN DRINKING YOUR NO CALORIE WATER.
Daily Nag, Food Choices, Healthy Recipes | Diet Nag | 
February 9, 2011 6:20 am | 
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