Skipping Meals to Save Calories

Skipping meals as a weight loss plan is doing more harm than good for two important reasons. One, it causes your metabolism to slow down such that when you do eat, your body will want to hold on to those calories, not burning them as quickly. And two, you may be so hungry by the time you do eat that you will not make healthy choices, and over-eat.

Fiber Supplements

Considering taking fiber pills or powder to up your fiber intake? Think about this: these products are intended as supplements, not substitutions. They cannot replace the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients of whole foods. You are better off eating foods high in fiber for the complete package.

Fiber helps you shed pounds

Eating foods high in fiber fills you up faster, and keeps you full longer, which helps you shed the pounds faster.

Adding Fiber

Pick up a copy of this month's newsletter for some ideas on increasing your fiber intake.
Want more?
* Try substituting whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour in baked goods.
* Add bran or oats to meatloaf.
* Double the vegetables in a casserole or soup.
* Top a whole grain breakfast cereal with fresh fruit.
* Dip carrot sticks or whole wheat pita wedges in hummus for a quick snack.

"No Sugar Added"??

Look at a food label that says "no sugar added", but then read the Nutrition Facts panel and see some grams of sugars...What gives?? Several foods have naturally-occurring sugars, including milk, fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, and legumes. The "sugars" category on the food label refers to both added and natural-occurring sugars.

Serving Size

The serving size listed on a Nutrition Facts label is based on how much people generally eat, not necessarily the amount recommended or the amount you eat. The nutrition information applies to one serving. If the serving is 1 cup, and you eat 2 cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat, sodium, etc.

Check the Nutrition Facts

Read the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods to know what you are really getting. Marketing claims on the front of a food package are just there to grab your attention.