Tell us your diet tips

by Jennifer Fields (Subscribe to Jennifer Fields's posts)
May 6th 2008 11:29AM

We know how tempting those low-fat, low-cal products on the store shelves are when you're watching your weight. But some of those so-called diet foods are total impostors loaded with calories and sugar. The editors at AOL Health put together a photo gallery of some of the top offenders.

Now, we want to hear from you. Forget fake diet food, tell us what smart substitutions you make that help keep your diet on track. Share your tips in a comment below.

Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Anna 5-06-2008 @ 12:10PM

breakfast: Peanut Butter & Molasses on Multi-Grain Bread
Snack: Cut up Apple (gala) & 1/2 cup cottage cheese
Lunch: Split Pea soup and Lentils (fully cooked from Trader Joe's) OR Can of Tuna and Wild Rice (fully cooked ready in 2 mins from Trader Joe's)
Snack: handful of almonds and some dark chocolate (72% at least)
Dinner: chicken breast & one Vidalia onion cooked in microwave - plus a few slices of cheddar cheese.

ThreePts 5-06-2008 @ 12:30PM

Full disclosure: I am a 27yr old thin male.

When I noticed that my stomach was beginning to buldge I took notice and wanted to make a change. I would be considered underweight to most people but for the sake of my kids and wife I wanted to make sure that I would be there for them as long as possible. I am not on a "diet". I am on a lifestyle change. A diet is worthless and really only hurts you in the long run. Make a decision to be healthier or to lose the weight.

My quick tips would be 2 things. Drink green tea. Not the generic Lipton junk. Real green tea. Drink a few cups a day and you may just see the pounds begin to drop. Green tea, a natural metabolism booster, has a way of dropping the pounds.

My other tip is that of choice. If you are at work and encounter a box of donuts, think it through. Decide, should I eat this donut or have a dessert later that night. Pick which one you would rather have between the two and go for it. Part of the lifestyle change is making small changes, not dropping all unhealthy stuff at once.

So what can I say for my tips? They work, for me. I started with these 2.5 years ago and have been able to maintain the weight I had been many years ago. It took only a matter of a few months for me to drop 10+ lbs while making very minimal changes.

Just my 2 cents.

Vishaal 5-06-2008 @ 4:27PM

I just avoid sugar as much as possible. Also, I drink plenty of water before my meal at a restaurant. The water also keeps my mind off the chips/bread. I try to order salmon and veggies every restaurant I go to. I remind myself everyday that I eat to live not live to eat. I try to to celebrate with food either. Also, I had a hard time keeping up with my healthy eating on the weekends, so I decided to make saturdays my low carb day; I try not to eat any carbs after my morning breakfast...I know that's not too healthy, but I think it's okay to do once or twice a week. It really eliminates a lot of the bad foods on saturday outings. A handful of nuts and a glass of low fat milk really gives me back my vitality and keeps me full as a snack. I usually have this combo before I go to a restaurant. Low fat milk after my workouts is extrememly essential for me, as well. Most importantly, I try not to over analyze my food.

In terms of exercise, I work out 7 days a week: 5 days of gym, one day of Disneyland (fridays), and one day of dancing at home to Madonna. =P

Vishaal 5-06-2008 @ 4:29PM

Oops... I meant I try NOT to celebrate with food.

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Marcia 5-08-2008 @ 2:35PM

If you want a kosher diet, that incorporates all the ideas mentioned above, checkout www.startfresh.com. You'll drop those pounds and feel better than ever.

Marcia 5-08-2008 @ 2:49PM

Whoops- that went in without creating a link. Go to http://www.startfresh.com.

scottr 5-10-2008 @ 6:13AM

Why do I love sugar so much! But I do try and avoid simple carbs and eat what I feel is a heart-healthy diet of fast food (salads), chicken, veggies, berries, and the occasional burger patty. It helps get me ripped abs and a nice upper body too. The key is to avoid breads and pastas like the plague and stick with salads, meats, and all sorts of amazing veggies my version of a fat loss diet. I look good, feel great, and couldn't be happier!

scottr 5-10-2008 @ 6:21AM

I also like to fast one or two days a week. Great for weght loss and over all sense of well being.

http://www.rippedabs.org is my blog, where I deal with fat burning and weight loss issues, like in my post http://www.rippedabs.org/low-fat-diet-myths, where I tackle traditional low fat diets. In my experience, they simply don't work at all.

Carole Gardner 6-30-2008 @ 4:18AM

My formula of health: Physical exercise + Balanced diet + Lots of water.

Yoga is a proven exercise which helps to be fit both physically and mentally.

All kinds of vegetables and fruits are natural and unprocessed. I don't have to spare time for preparing a meal as it contains vegetables and fruits.
To learn more: http://www.oneminutediettips.com

Five litres of water a day cleanses my body.