How Not to Diet
WebMD has a neat slideshow featuring 12 things not to do while trying to shed some pounds:
Crash dieting. Patience is a virtue – especially when dieting. When you decrease your food intake to under 1,000 calories, your metabolism dramatically decreases, so that even if you lose weight, it’ll be hard to keep off (and probably come back).
Missing breakfast. D’oh! It’s hard to stick to your diet when you’re hungry to the point of distraction. To keep your cravings in check, start the day with a healthy, low-calorie breakfast like sugar-free cereal, granola, or oatmeal.
Snacking. A lot. There’s nothing wrong with snacking, but people have a way of letting themselves snack without even thinking about it – or without even being hungry. Don’t just eat food because it’s in front of you.
Snacking. Too little. Like Goldilocks, it’s up to you to find the perfect balance between over- and under-snacking. Having a healthy snack of nuts or dried fruit can help manage your hunger and make it easier to eat smaller meals.
Trusting the label. Low-fat and sugar-free foods aren’t always as healthy as they seem – these products are often loaded with calories or high in sodium, both of which can sabotage your diet. To make sure your food is as healthy as you think it is, be sure to read the label.
For the full list, click here!
