Monday 11 July 2011

IF YOU ARE ON A DIET, WATCH OUT FOR FOOD TRAPS


One of the most difficult issues faced by those aspiring to lose weight and trying to follow a diet is temptation. You are on a diet, lost a few pounds or kilos and while everything seems to be going smooth, you get invited to party or you go on a holiday or you are at this restaurant that serves exotic buffet, or you are just plain outside with your friends and they are in a mood for some fast food followed by a delicious high calorie dessert....suddenly all that you've been reading about healthy lifestyle, following diligently seem to abandon your mindset and you dive straight into a food trap After the initial excitement of indulging in your favourite foods you have been avoiding, you end up feeling guilty for having given into temptation. The dark side of temptation is, there might arise a tendency to give up on your diet as the enjoyment you derive from indulging in foods you stayed away from gives you a certain pleasure, a sort of a high. It's natural for the body to go back to old habits by default. When you are aware of this fact, you can override your body's pre-programmed habits and tendencies, by consciously making right choices. Once a week, have a little bit of something (in moderation) you really enjoy, so you don't really deprive yourself.

How to avoid jumping into a food trap:

On a Holiday: Give more importance to sight seeing, family gatherings, fun filled things to do, tours, journalling your experience and so on. It's not a good idea to entertain yourself by indulging in food thinking after all you are on a holiday. All the weight you lost might just pile back on again and you might even put on more. Though there might be tempting food all around you, chose to ease light - salads, grilled and baked items, fruits.

After a fight or a stressful day: Don't place an order with a fast food joint or rush to your refrigerator or cupboard and pick up a big bag of chips. Talk to a friend, or family or go window shopping or watch a funny show on T.V. Give yourself an opportunity to calm down and work out a solution for whatever that has upset you. Indulging in food has never solved anyone's problems.

At a party: Have a fun time with your friends or relatives who invited you. Fun does not mean filling the plate with all the high calorie foods followed by dessert, as truly your stomach does not require all that high calorie food. Choose to eat salads, vegetables grilled or baked dishes. If everything served is high calorie stuff, you can have in moderation and cut down on the portion size.

Restaurant: People love to eat out during the weekends and you might find yourself desiring to eat out with friends or family. So while you spend a nice time in a restaurant, give the relationship you have with friends and family more importance than food. Tell them about your weight loss regime and suggest a place where you can have a choice of fresh salads, vegetables, baked or grilled items. By all means, avoid filling your plate with everything displayed in a buffet.

Watching T.V. or at the Theatre: No, it's not a must you have to munch on something or snack while watching T.V. or while you are in theatre watching a movie. Undo the habit of snacking and just enjoy what you are watching. You never know how many calories you would consume while you go on munching or snacking.


Avoid the tempting high calorie foods and desserts

Salads - the wisest choice while you eat out to avoid falling into high calorie food trap

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