Archive for lifestyle
Low Carb Fast Food: How to Choose?
Posted by: | CommentsFast food chains are definitely already a part of our lifestyle. They are practically everywhere that we could not possibly avoid them at any cost. Whenever we are on the go, fast food chains are definitely an indispensable part of our lives. They provide us with foods off the counter, and we could gobble the delicious morsel off that burger in no time.
For those of us who are entirely health conscious, eating out in fast food chains is definitely a no-no. The food offered in fast food chains is too fatty, and they are also filled with carbohydrates. Eating a lot of carbohydrate enriched food can certainly be a problem especially when you are weighing yourself off the scale just to check how many pounds you have shed, or worse, how many pounds you have gained.
Choose Your Food Wisely while Eating at Fast Food Joint
Facing the fact that the fast food is necessarily a part of our lives and entirely avoiding them would be impossible. The only thing that is left to do is just to make smart choices of foods whenever you plan to eat in a fast food joint. You can consult your own physician first for a physical check up. In this way, you would be able to take note of the amount of carbohydrates and cholesterol that you have been taking up. He may also suggest some ways on how you could make healthy choices for your diet. In this way, you do not only take precautions about your weight, but you also observe ways on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
When you opt to eat in fast food chains, make sure to have a good grasp of the nutrition information on the types of food that you actually take in fast food chains. Most dieticians say that breads, rice and chips are the main culprits for giving you those unwanted carbs which make your body take in those extra pounds. Moreover, those favorite sundaes of yours would have to be avoided, because they contain a lot of sugar. Eating such items on the menu may in turn give you the carbohydrates which you would not want to have at any rate. However, do not falter at this fact. Most of the fast food chains offer healthy alternatives to these menus. Some of them include salads and low-carb chicken sandwiches. It also helps to check the amount of calories and carbohydrates that each food offers. You can at least tone down on eating these items on the menu if you cannot totally avoid them.
Avoid Fast Food during Low Carb Diet
If you insist on undergoing a low carb fast food diet, then you should reevaluate your perspective in losing weight. If you want to be successful in maintaining a low carb fast food, then so be it. You do not have to avoid everything on the menu and settle for the alternative choices. Be aware of the foods that you take in day after day, and try to maintain a healthy diet. It might just work for you.
Article from low-carb-diet-recipes.com.
How to Eat Out Low-Carb
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It’s easy to monitor what ends up on your plate and in your mouth when you’re cooking at home. Dining out presents new challenges. Many restaurants, though, have begun to pay attention to diet trends and help customers eat more healthfully. You’ll find some menu choices marked with special icons designating healthier choices. Just remember, what you want to do is include more healthy carbohydrates in your diet, not eliminate most carbohydrates.
A few tips for low-carb dining. Meat, poultry, and seafood do not contain carbohydrate-none whatsoever. The same goes for most types of cheeses. But even those cheeses that do have carbohydrate, such as feta, have very small amounts.
Keep cholesterol and saturated fat levels in check by ordering lean cuts of red meat, choosing poultry and fish more often, and limiting the amount of cheese. Dishes that are heavy in animal protein and smothered in cream sauce or cheese may be low in carbohydrate, but they’re certainly not heart healthy.
Instead order dishes that have more vegetables-or order more vegetables as side dishes-since vegetables naturally contain very low amounts of carbohydrates. And don’t shy away from fruit: The carbohydrates in fruit come with lots of nutrients. Whole-grain and bean-based dishes provide fiber, protein, and healthy carbs. And as always, keep portion sizes in check. When it comes to weight gain, it’s how many calories you take in. If you consume more calories than you need, you will gain weight.
There certainly is a lot to consider when you’re dining out. In this article, we’ll tell you how to go to various types restaurants — from American and Mediterranean to Asian and Italian — and enjoy your meals while ensuring that you keep your carbs in order. We’ll start with American food.
Read the Full Story at TLC Cooking.
Tips for Eating Out on a Low Carbohydrate Plan
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s tough enough planning what to eat at home so what should we do when we leave the house? PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!
- The more you prepare ahead of time, the fewer choices there will be to tempt you. Often restaurants will post their menus on-line. You could also visit the restaurant ahead of time and ask to see the menu.
- Try going to restaurants that have easy low carbohydrate food choices where foods such as steak and salad come separately. The more ingredients a meal has the more difficult it is to figure out.
- Look for fairly plain meat with vegetables and /or salad.
- Ask for extra veggies instead of potato or fries and always substitute salad and veggies for sides like fries and macaroni salad.
- Pick a sandwich that looks good and ask for the “innards’ to be placed on a salad instead.
- Order a burger or steak sandwich without the bun. Have a salad on the side.
- If a restaurant serves breakfast all day, order an omelet for lunch or dinner and ask for low carbohydrate veggies like spinach peppers and mushrooms. Have fruit on the side.
- Ask for no bread basket or chip bowl or keep it far away from you at the table.
- Keep away from ordering any fried food.
- If you must, take a small taste of something from your table-mate’s plate so that you don’t feel deprived.
- Order confidently and politely. Imagine that you are somebody with a medical condition and you can’t eat certain things. Most chefs are very accommodating.
Need more suggestions on how to make good choices when eating out? Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you with your weight loss journey.
Basic Tips for Losing Weight
Posted by: | CommentsBy making just a few changes you can really make a difference in your weight loss success. Hopefully, you are already doing some of the things that I’m going to suggest.
- Drink water
It may sound strange but drinking more water can reduce bloating if your body is holding onto water. Your body cannot tell the difference between hunger and thirst so make sure you are keeping yourself well hydrated. Replacing regular soft drinks with water can save you hundreds of calories. Some people have lost a lot of weight just by swapping out water for regular soda.
- Don’t skip meals
Many people struggling with their weight feel that by skipping meals they are eating less and therefore will lose weight. Wrong! You are much more likely to overeat later in the day and you may find that when you do start to eat, you just can’t stop.
- Eat healthful snacks
Snacking can help maintain blood sugar that will help prevent overeating. A protein supplement or foods such as almonds and cheese sticks will be satisfying and help you to lose weight as long as portion size is controlled.
- Select whole grains when choosing carbohydrates
Whole grains have more fiber and therefore keep you fuller longer. A few years ago Readers Digest printed a study where they found that foods containing fiber kept you fuller up to four times longer than foods without fiber. Fiber also helps to prevent constipation and can reduce your risk for disease.
- Measure your food
I know that this is not a favorable request because it takes effort. Most people underestimate how much they are really eating and once you know what a serving of a particular food looks like, it will always be the same. Buy yourself a small food scale and some measuring cups and spoons. They are not expensive but a great investment for weight loss success.
- Read food labels
Learning to read food labels will help you to compare foods with their nutritional content and calories per serving. You may be surprised at what you discover.
- Journal
Writing down what you eat is essential for long term weight loss success. It will give you an awareness of you current eating habits so that you can make the necessary changes.
- Get active
Exercising boosts your metabolism which helps you to lose weight more easily and it is exceptionally important for weight maintenance.
You may find that just by adding one or more of these tips into your daily routine, you can transform your body. Small changes can lead to lasting results. Contact us to see how we can help you achieve success this time!
Follow Dani’s Journey to Lose 45 Pounds in 6 Months
Posted by: | CommentsDani is like so many of us. She has struggled with her weight for a number of years. Follow along as she shares her journey towards long term weight loss success through the 6 month weight loss program at the Center for Metabolic Health which includes comprehensive education through their exclusive Weight Management University. You can follow Dani’s journey on the CMH blog!
Tips for Long Term Weight Loss Success
Posted by: | CommentsCommit to a lifestyle change
Long-term weight loss is achieved through permanent changes in your lifestyle and food choices, not through fad quick fix diets or pills. Before beginning on your weight loss journey, make a commitment to your health and stick with it!
Keep moving
Regular exercise is a critical component of permanent weight loss. We recommend a minimum of five 30-minute sessions per week. Read our exercise tips on this blog for ideas on how to stay motivated and enjoy your exercise routines.
Go slowly and keep your expectations realistic
Remember that drastic weight loss in a short amount of time is not healthy, and it is more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat. Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week.
Keep a weight loss journal
Keeping a weight loss journal can be very helpful for long-term weight loss and keeping you focused on your goals. Each day, record what you have eaten, how much, and your mood and emotions. A journal not only keeps you accountable for your food choices, but can also help you identify any behaviors or emotions that trigger overeating. This can be done using our Patient Portal through our website!
Don’t go it alone
An important factor of long-term weight loss is the support and encouragement from others, whether it’s from your doctor, nutritionist, family or friends. Connecting with others helps you stay motivated, learn tips and techniques, and keep focused on your weight loss goals.
