Special K nutrition tips

1. Divide your plate. Divide your plate, conquer your weight. Fill half of your plate with veggies or salad (watch those fatty dressings!) One-quarter should be lean protein—fish, chicken or beef—grilled, baked or poached. And the last quarter should be starch—but watch the butter or oil. It’s easy to remember at home, or in a restaurant.
2. 2.
   Drink your H₂O. Feeling tired or hungry? You may just be thirsty. Make sure you get at least 6 glasses of water a day. Water helps your body transport nutrients and eliminate toxins. Get tired of all the agua? Add a cucumber or lemon slice to jazz it up!
3. 3.
   Plan ahead. Curb the afternoon munchies by planning ahead. Tempted to hit that vending machine? Have some string cheese, protein water or a handful of nuts at the ready to help keep you satisfied.
4. 4.
   Ride the wave. Feel yourself getting ready to overindulge? These urges come in waves. If you can allow 10 to 15 minutes to pass, chances are the urge will pass with it. Occupy the time by moving around, calling a friend, taking a shower, going on a walk, or doing something relaxing and positive for yourself…you are definitely worth it!
5. 5.
   Go for fruit. Fork over the fruit! Fruit is packed with vitamin and antioxidant power AND it contains fiber (which can help you feel more satisfied). Try some yummy berries: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries—they’re great on top of cereal or with a little part-skim ricotta cheese.
6. 6.
   Watch portions. When you get takeout, think of it as two meals and split it with a friend or put half of it away before you even start eating. When you’re playing chef at home? Avoid serving plates or bowls; pre-portion your feast on a smaller plate instead. It will be more satisfying both to your eyes and your stomach!
7. 7.
   Build willpower. Be smart when you eat out. Going to dinner tonight? Eat a balanced snack 1 to 3 hours before leaving the house: veggies with hummus, a non-fat yogurt with 1 tbsp chopped walnuts, 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter on whole wheat toast, or a piece of fresh fruit and a slice of lowfat cheese. The extra something in your belly will give you the self-control to say “no” to fatty appetizers and gigantic desserts.
8. 8.
   Don't skip meals. Skipping meals can cause low blood sugar, which means you’ll end up feeling weak (booo) and lightheaded (hisss). AND it can lead to overeating and food cravings later. Statistics show that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight than people who eat in the morning. Never skipping a meal will help you stabilize blood sugar and control your appetite.
9. 9.
   Learn to eyeball. Eyeball those portion sizes! Want to make sure you’re getting the right serving sizes? Use these tricks of the trade: 3 oz. of lean meat = a standard deck of cards. Half a cup of fruit, veggies or whole grains = an orange. 1 oz. of cheese = 2 dominoes.
10. 10.
    Choose the crunch. Choose fruit over fruit juice. The real thing is more likely to have higher fiber content and make you feel fuller…so always opt for the whole fruit when you can.
11. 11.
    Move it. Feng Shui Your Fridge. It sounds simple, but just taking your good stuff out of the crisper, cutting it up so it’s ready to go and putting it on a more visible shelf can aid in your effort to eat better. (And it doesn’t hurt to move the fattening stuff out of sight.) You'll be more likely to reach for a healthy snack if it’s front and center!
12. 12.
    Start Journaling. Keep a food journal noting what you eat, how much, when and where. Journaling can help keep you accountable for what you eat and help you think twice before overindulging. It can also help identify unhealthy patterns that may be inhibiting your weight loss.