The 5: Ways to Eat Less

Fat-laden, high-sugar foods are as much to blame for the pervasive weight gain problem in this country as are sedentary lifestyles and how and where we choose to eat.

Controlling what, where, and how we eat is crucial to establishing a proper diet and losing weight. These simple, but effective five tips, sourced from the Harvard Health Letter, can help you do just that.

1. Stay on the Move
When you dine out at a restaurant, plan in advance to have your after-dinner coffee elsewhere. That way, you won't be tempted to order dessert.

2. Out of Sight
When you get home from the grocery store, put the most tempting--and fattening--foods high in the pantry, the back of the refrigerator, or other inconvenient spots.

3. Less-Than-Super-Bowl
Small containers or plates are better than large ones because it's easier to stop eating. Never eat directly out of a large package. Try using a luncheon plate for dinner and see if it helps you to eat less.

4. Be Prepared
Decide in advance how much you're going to eat before an event. Then you have to shore up your self-discipline and stick to that plan!

5. Limit Variety
Don't put out too many varieties of food. This will just tempt you to sample each one, and in the end you'll eat a lot more than you would if you had fewer choices.