How To Diet Safely

By Peter Hilford


Increasingly, the number of people who look into how to diet safely grows everyday, the main reason being that more and more people are finding themselves overweight (or are simply unhappy with their weight). Losing a few pounds may seem simple for a lucky few, but if not done with wise discretion, shedding weight may have some unwanted consequences. Dieting is a choice. Give it some thought before you start on any program. There are some things you should consider before giving it a try.

Do you really need to diet?

You may think that you're a few pounds overweight, but you might actually be at your ideal weight without knowing it. If you'd like to make sure, check with your doctor or dietitian. If he thinks that you need to lose some weight, he'll tell you how to diet safely.

Start small to diet safely

Do not rush - this may cause you more problems. People who try fad diets often lose a few pounds, only to gain them back and even more. Start with simple methods - for example, cut your soda intake by 50% for the first week. Dieting safely means taking things gradually.

Remember, one can of soda contains as many as 10 teaspoons of sugar. Avoiding soda is a good way of dieting safely.

Keep an eye on what you eat.

Watching what you eat during meals is also a great way to diet safely. Sugar and refined carbohydrates are the most fattening ingredients in prepared food. You should eat at least 5 servings of fruits or vegetables everyday to stay full, and avoid donuts, cake, and soda. Eating slowly during mealtimes also helps, because the brain takes twelve minutes from the first bite to signal that your tummy is full. Taking a rest before the second serving can help you eat less.

However, this doesn't mean you'll have to swear off all bad foods. To diet safely, you're allowed to treat yourself every once in a while - just remember to offset your guilt pleasure soon after.

Keep an eye on when you eat.

Another way to diet safely is to treat yourself with at least two snacks between regular meals. This will help you eat fewer during mealtimes, as well as increase your metabolism (your body's ability to break down fat and nutrients). It's a good idea to keep vegetable sticks or a piece of fruit within reach in case you get a craving between mealtimes. Eating more frequently, but in smaller amounts, allows your body to burn more calories.

Safe dieting also means exercise.

Any form of dieting isn't worth much if not matched with exercise. An hour of good exercise five times a week will do. You need lots of determination to make it a habit. Just like regulating your food intake, begin exercise slowly and gradually add the intensity every day as you get accustomed to it.

As an end, avoid pressuring yourself

Dieting safely means you'll need to forgive yourself every time you give in to a craving. Everybody trips up every now and then. When you fail to stick to your safe diet, brush it off and get back to it as soon as possible - that's the key. Remember that any food, no matter how fat or how sugary, can fit into any safe diet - the key is to balance it out with more of the healthy stuff.

About the Author:
The Writer Peter Hilford has been a diet champion for several years and loves finding ways to help individuals diet you will find part 2 of this article at How To Diet Safely from were you will find out how to put this knowledge to helpful use. This article may be freely distributed without modification and provided that the copyright notice and any author's name's remain intact.

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