Small Steps Towards Better Eating Habits

Eating habits vary greatly according to the country, region and even town one lives in. America has a come a long way from 1950's TV Dinners and canned tuna casserole, but these things are still common in some parts of the country, in part due to financial concerns. However, we have learned from the French, the Japanese and the Italians, we have purchased Balsamic Vinegar, made our own Sushi and made Olive Oil a staple in our kitchens. Still, we must ask ourselves if that is enough. Read on for some easy tips that might help you lose weight and maintain your health.

1. The veggie trick: on a quiet day, say a Sunday, cut up some of your favorite vegetables and store in a container in the fridge. When you get the munchies during the week and you have already had your daily allotment of double fudge chocolate chip cookies, grab some of the vegetables, sprinkle lemon or a vinaigrette over them and commence munching.

2. Head to your nearest Target and buy the Archer Farms Soybean Cherry Nut Trail Mix. It's addictive. But honestly, just buy any trail mix or mix and match the various nuts and dried fruit you favor most, and enjoy some guilt free crunching.

3. Avoid cash traps such as the Acai Berry pills. These gimmicks are favored by studies one day and rejected the next, so stick to what we know is reliable and wholesome, do your daily exercise or take a walk for a change and proceed to the next step:

4. Portion Control! Adopt this as your mantra and repeat after me: portion control! Did you know that European plates are smaller than the average American Plate? Did you know that even restaurant chains such as McDonald's portion things differently in Europe? Guess which country gets the bigger portions. You got it. Americans have gotten used to giant meals and that is not okay. Portion control!

5. This one is pretty simple: Water - good, soda - not so good. 'Vitamin Water' and most flavored water - not good at all. Diet soda? Feh! Your enemies should drown in it. Aside for the sugar content, soda is bloating and absolutely unnecessary. Trust me, you'll do very well without your Coca Cola fix.

6. Don't shop when you're hungry, or you might end up spending twice your allotted budget on sweet nothings from the baked goods isle, candy and chocolate 'just to get the edge off your hunger' and God knows what else. Before you know it you'll be hauling huge cans of Sprite or Dr. Pepper. Diet, of course.

In short think before you leap, weigh your pros and cons, be a good boy or girl and eat your breakfast. There you go.