If you are clinically obese (a physician made the diagnosis) and you wish to change your eating habits as one step towards conquering your obesity than read on as this narrative should give you some excellent guidelines for changing your eating habits.
You are ready to do something about being obese. You know that are at risk for health problems if you stay obese and you are willing to take the steps essential to control your weight. Changing your eating habits is a good place to start. Just make sure that the habits you will be changing to our wholesome ones.
Knowing you need to change your eating habits and actually doing it are two different things. We all know things that if we did them we would be healthier but how do we take the actions needed in order to successfully make those changes?
Here are a few activity steps you can take in order to change your eating habits to healthier ones if your goal is to lose weight because you are obese:
1. Set realistic, short-term goals that will make healthier eating habits for you such as:
- Not skipping breakfast
- Make it a goal to lose weight gradually (no crash diets)
- Record your weight loss successes so you will be motivated to continue your wholesome eating habits
2. Have menu plans that contain wholesome foods and literal, measure sizes. Use the menu plans when you shop and only buy those foods that you need for your menu plan, no extra!
Stick with the menu for each meal and snack, no cheating! If you have frequent smaller meals eating every two hours you won't be cheating and you won't get hungry. Just make sure that you effect your doctor's advise about what foods are wholesome for you and which foods to avoid.
Healthy eating comes from knowledge about what foods your body needs and what foods to avoid when you are trying to lose weight.
- Stay away from empty calorie foods like those in snack bags
- Reduce your fat and sugar intake
- Eat more fiber-rich foods
- Eat lots of vegetables and fruits (raw is best)
- Eat whole grain products
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid foods that contain creams, fats, or of high calorie content
- Choose foods instead that are low, light or reduced in calories and fat
- Chose dairy products that are skim, or 1% and chose reduced fat cheeses
- Instead of eating ice-cream pick fat-free icy yogurt
- Instead of using sour cream use fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt
- Choose lean meats (fish, and poultry)
- Stay away from red meat if possible
- When cooking pick to broil, roast or steam your foods