The 7 Simple Food Goals To Set For Weight Loss

Are you trying to lose weight?

If so, you aren’t alone.

According to the Boston Medical Center, approximately 45 million Americans go on a diet each year!

Having a good diet can help you control your weight but it is also part of living a healthier life.

What is a ‘good diet’ for you?

Depending on your body type and lifestyle, many health professionals recommend a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, among other things. But there’s a lot more to it than that!

Read on to learn 7 simple food goals to set for weight loss in your life!

1. Avoid Fast Food

Let’s face it, people enjoy fast food a lot. In fact, you may be reading this thinking about how you love it too.

More than 50 million Americans eat fast food per day!

While fast food can be full of flavor, depending on who you ask, it’s also often full of things you don’t want too. Things like fat, calories and carbohydrates!

If you are looking to lose belly fat and show off that six-pack you’ve always wanted, greasy and fatty foods should be avoided. This eliminates a lot of what you may enjoy from your nearest drive-thru.

Even if your don’t aspire for rock hard abs, losing weight is made easier by not choosing fast food.

2. Portion Control

One of your food goals for weight loss should be portion control.

In its most simplest terms, losing weight happens when you expend more calories than you take in each day. You are able to maintain this lower weight if you continue to do this for a sustained period of time.

By avoiding fast food and preparing meals yourself, you help to control your portions and what you are putting in your body.

This is because when you visit a fast food restaurant, there are standardized sizes and you can often up-size a meal for a minimal charge.

This isn’t just a phenomenon at fast food restaurants. Going out to eat often puts the establishment in control of what you are being served. If you are given a portion that is larger than your appetite, that may be the temptation to overeat.

A study by the Institute for Food Science + Technology found that it’s normal to finish your plate. But if you are given a smaller plate, or less food on that plate, this changes the amount you consume.

Imagine if it was your plate AND you control what you are putting on it!

3. Eliminate Soda

Eliminating soda from your diet may be arguably as important as any of the solid food goals you set for yourself.

But why?

Soda is loaded with calories, carbohydrates and sugar!

The average 12 ounce can of regular soda contains more than 33 grams of sugar. Of course, this varies depending on the type of soda you are drinking and can be much more!

Trying to eliminate sugar by drinking diet sodas? Oftentimes, the sugar alternative in these drinks is aspartame.

Aspartame can cause your body to produce insulin, which makes your body store more of what you are drinking and eating in your body as…you guessed it, fat!

4. Try New Foods

One of your food goals should be to try new, healthier foods.

Some of us are creatures of habit when it comes to our diet. But when you are trying to lose weight, it helps to be a little adventurous and try new things.

For example, Brussels sprouts may not be something you eat regularly or at all. However, you may be surprised to learn that these are full of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber! They can also be seasoned and roasted to become quite a flavorful snack or side dish.

Take your diet as an opportunity to try those fruits and vegetables that you may have passed on before!

5. Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

Your food goals should include eating a nutritious breakfast in the morning.

By eating a healthy breakfast like one with (controlled portions) of eggs, wheat toast or natural yogurt, you are getting your day started off on the right foot.

You may also decide to eat smoothies with fresh fruits and vegetables. Smoothies are a great way for you to mix in a combination of foods you might not normally eat by themselves — kale, for example.

Eating breakfast also helps “break your fast” from the night before. It will get your metabolism moving and give you the energy you need for the day ahead.

It will also help you to avoid overeating during the rest of the day!

6. Try Tuna

Looking for a way to eat less but feel more full? Add “eating tuna” to your list of food goals.

Tuna is a fish that is high in protein and low in fat. But the benefits don’t stop there. It’s also well-known for its omega-3 fatty acid content — which helps promote a healthy heart — and being full of other vitamins and nutrients.

Looking for a way to help keep your blood pressure under control? Talk to your doctor about the benefits of eating tuna for this too!

7. Keep Your Diet Creative

One reason people tend to stop dieting is because they get bored with eating the same foods day after day.

In order to avoid being that person, one of your goals should be to keep your diet creative.

Besides trying new foods you should try new ways to prepare them. For example, there are many different ways to prepare fresh chicken or fish and they go well with many different side items.

This will help you to feel more excited to eat better and increase the chances that you stick to your dieting plan.

One way to be creative is to diet with a close friend or your significant other and prepare themed food nights and challenge yourselves to try new, healthy options.

Your Food Goals Matter

It’s important to pay attention to what you are putting in your body each day.

What you eat and drink is often called the “fuel your body runs on daily” and it’s an accurate description.

What are some food goals you have for yourself and how have you used these in your weight loss program?

Leave a comment below to help others who are developing their unique weight loss program!