Healthy dieting should involve an eating plan that allows dieters to gradually lose weight without feelings of constant hunger or deprivation. Thus, the best healthy dieting tips are those that allow the dieter to meet safe weight loss goals by making smart choices rather than denying themselves the foods they love. For instance, dieters can banish food cravings by consuming large amounts of heart-healthy fiber. They can bulk up their portion sizes by filling their plates with nutritious, low-calorie vegetables and fruits. Finally, they can prevent feelings of deprivation by continuing to enjoy their favorite treats in moderation.
Constant hunger is a common dieter’s complaint, and one that, quite understandably, leads many diets to fail. Healthy dieting need not involve a grumbling stomach, however. For a full feeling that lasts, dieters should try to consume a minimum of 20 grams of fiber each day. In addition to lowering harmful cholesterol levels, fiber — found in foods like beans, whole grains, oatmeal, and apples — breaks down more slowly than sugary, refined foods, promoting a long-lasting feeling of fullness that staves off post-meal cravings. As an added bonus, many high-fiber foods happen to be low in calories, meaning that dieters can feel full while remaining comfortably within the bounds of their daily calorie goals.
For gradual, healthy weight loss, nutrition experts generally recommend a daily dietary intake of approximately 1,500 calories. It is possible to meet this goal while continuing to eat tasty meals, but when a dieter makes poor food choices, this calorie limit can translate to anemic portions that leave her unsatisfied. One of the best healthy dieting tips is to base meals around a small amount of a medium- or high-calorie food, such as lasagna or steak, and then fill out the plate with nutrient-rich, low-calorie foods like vegetables and beans. This technique allows the dieter to enjoy small portions of savory, satisfying dishes by balancing them with caloric “bargains.”
Many associate diets with a ban on ice cream, pizza, and all other delicious but fat- and calorie-laden treats. Regarding whole groups of foods as off-limits often leads dieters to feel deprived, however, and may even drive them to binge. Thus, healthy dieting should actually incorporate indulgent treats from time to time. Moderation is the key to enjoying decadent foods. Dieters should keep treat sizes small, and “budget” for their indulgences by limiting the remainder of their calorie intake that day or getting some calorie-burning cardiovascular exercise.
