Build Your Diet For Weight Loss Success | Bradenton Surgical Group

One of the reasons that diets fail so frequently is because the dieter focuses completely on foods that he or she does not enjoy, making it easier to backslide or cheat. However, by trying healthier alternatives to the foods you love, you’ll experience more long-term diet success and improve your chances of achieving your weight loss goal.

Start with the basics. The foundation of your diet should be lean proteins, such as seafood, nuts, eggs, skinless chicken, and pork tenderloin; whole grains, which are an excellent source of fiber; fruits, which can satisfy your sweet tooth without adding too many calories; and vegetables. Spice up these basic elements with these five weight loss foods:

1. 100 calorie snacks: They are a recent addition to grocery-store shelves, and every major type of popular cookie and other sweet snack has a 100-calorie equivalent. Just make sure you limit yourself to one package!
2. Alternative fast food items: Instead of a Big Mac or Whopper, try a Flatbread Sammie from Quiznos, a Southwest salad with grilled chicken from McDonald’s, or any of Subway’s subs that contain six grams of fat or less.
3. Dressings and dips: Try flavored mustards, light salad dressing, or vinegars for your salads, sandwiches, and recipes instead of mayonnaise, oils, and butters. Mustards can also be used for a low-calorie dip, along with hummus, salsa, or fat-free French Onion dip and black bean dip.
4. Reduced calorie dairy products: Almost every type of dairy product from milk to yogurt to cheese comes in a low-fat or fat-free version that still provides an excellent taste without the unhealthy aspects.
5. Low-Calorie liquids: You can cook with them or drink them. Try wine or fat-free beef, vegetable, or chicken stock to add flavor to your cooking. Sweeten your desserts with apple, orange, or pineapple concentrate instead of sugar. Drink lots of water or calorie-free drinks like Crystal Light to fill up before eating.

Sticking to a healthy diet doesn’t have to mean giving up delicious meals. Focus your weight loss efforts on finding foods you can have instead of thinking about all the things you aren’t eating.