Make the Right Food Choices to Lose Weight in the New Year

Weight loss is common on the list for New Year's Resolutions. Typically, people gain 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. While the word "diet" suggests a temporary time of weeks or months of deprivation and constant hunger, it should really be about food choices made every day to make the body healthy and provide energy.

Successful weight management plans have at least one thing in common: eating less than 1500 calories daily. However, the challenge is how to make a 1500-calorie diet satisfying? The trick seems to be choosing the foods that don't trigger hunger - a common term for this diet is the low glycemic, high-fiber, moderate protein diet. Not all carbohydrates are alike, and when low glycemic portion-controlled carbohydrates are eaten with protein, the results are more satiety and less hunger. This theory seems to be the core for Weight Watcher's new point system they recently introduced to their membership.

In the new point system, some carbohydrate foods will be taking a big hit. Choosing carbohydrates that are known to trigger hunger will have more points. This targets the emotional eater that eats when they're hungry or stressed. The theory is that when appetite is controlled with the new point system there will be less grazing and snacking due to hunger. The choice will be either eating a smaller portion of high point carbohydrates, or choosing low glycemic carbohydrates at a portion size according to the old system. (include link to my chart of foods)

The concept is great for people willing to make the change to low glycemic, high fiber food. However, if this presents a problem due to holiday parties or other circumstances, you may want to try a supplement containing Phase 2 Carb Controller. Phase 2, an extract of the white bean, has been shown to inhibit alpha amylase, the enzyme that digests starch, delaying the digestion and absorption of starchy foods. That way, if you over indulge on the high glycemic carbs, you won't suffer the same caloric impact.

Remember weight management is about eating fewer calories, eating a variety of food and exercising. If food choices trigger hunger, this can destroy all good intentions and will power. Keeping a food diary that not only lists foods eaten, but level of hunger, is helpful to identify patterns of eating or exercise that cause hunger. A diet is a year-round affair, and requires changing bad habits to healthy ones. Most importantly, stay focused on goals...

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