15 best diet tips ever

Top tips for weight loss success.

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
WebMD Feature

Medically Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks

Everyone knows the key to losing weight is to eat less and exercise more. Sounds simple enough, but in the context of real life and its demands, it can be anything but simple. So how do successful losers do it? Here are 15 top diet tips.

Best diet tip 1: Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.

People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. So you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really what you need. If you don't like plain water, try adding a slice of citrus fruit or a splash of juice. Brew infused teas like mango or peach, which have lots of flavour but no calories.

Best diet tip 2: Think about what you can add to your diet, not what you should take away.

Start by focusing on getting the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables each day. It sounds like a lot, but it is well worth it, because at the same time you are meeting your fibre goals and feeling more satisfied from the volume of food. You're also less likely to overeat because fruit and vegetables displace fat in the diet, not to mention the health benefits of fruit and vegetables. To get more vegetables into your diet work them into meals instead of just serving them as sides on a plate.

Best diet tip 3: Consider whether you're really hungry.

Whenever you feel like eating, look for physical signs of hunger.
Hunger is your body's way of telling you that you need fuel, so when a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it. When you’ve finished eating, you should feel better, not stuffed, bloated or tired.
Keeping your portion sizes reasonable will help you get more in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness.

Best diet tip 4: Be choosy about night-time snacks.

Mindless eating occurs most frequently after dinner, when you finally sit down and relax.
Sitting down with a packet of crisps or biscuits in front of the television is an example of eating amnesia, where you mindlessly eat without being hungry, just out of habit.
To stop doing this either make the kitchen out of bounds after a certain hour, or allow yourself a low-calorie snack.

Best diet tip 5: Enjoy your favourite foods.

Putting your favourite foods off limits leads to weight gain because it triggers 'rebound' overeating, say experts.
Instead of cutting out your favourite foods altogether, be a slim shopper. Buy one fresh biscuit instead of a packet, or a small portion of sweets instead of a whole bag.
Basically, enjoy your favourite foods but in moderation.