by Jeanne Angleberger, Shaklee Associate for a Healthier Life
When you cook and eat at home, do you weigh less? Definitely! People who eat out consume an average of 200 more calories a day. So, what can you do to lower your caloric intake? Listen up!
Foods eaten at restaurants and fast-food establishments usually contain more sugar, salt, and unhealthful saturated fats. Sure, the food may taste great, but beware of the extra calories you’re taking in.
The large portions are one of the culprits. People feel they should eat the entire dish. Ask the waiter to put half of the meal in a take-out container before you start eating.
Ordering a sugar-sweetened beverage instead of water adds extra calories. These are empty calories you are consuming—we can sometimes forget about liquids when figuring out our caloric intake.
Having salad dressing and sauces on the side can help with your calorie count as well. They contain fats, sugar, and salt. A healthy salad can become unhealthy right before your eyes!
Hold the bread basket! Usually, freshly-baked bread or rolls are served first. Why not? Yours truly admits that they are hard to refuse. Make the right choice!
Cooking and eating at home can reduce calories. Also, when cooking at home, you can control how much fat, salt, and sugar is added to your meals.
Challenge yourself. Decide to cook at home. A basic meal can be chicken and vegetables. An easy and nutritious vegetable dish is a combination of steamed veggies: Try steaming carrots, cabbage, green beans, and peas; season with pepper, reduced-sodium Old Bay Seasoning, and a dash of Cumin. Tasty and nutritious!
So, how exciting to partake in eating a nutritious meal with your family members. Healthiness is learned. Why not begin with the most important people, your family!
