A good way to be successful in any fat loss program is to train the taste buds to enjoy foods with more texture. Texture rich foods automatically cause a diet to be higher in fiber and lower in fat. We often hear that it is important to add more fiber to our diet. But, it is sometimes difficult to know just how to do that.
Fiber is essential in any fat loss program. High-fiber foods generally have more texture, which results in more chewing time, which gives your body time to register when you're no longer hungry. We often eat so fast in our hurried lifestyles that we don't even realize we are full until we have already consumed hundreds of extra calories. Fiber and texture is a natural way to slow down our intake and give our brain a chance to register that our stomach is full. Also, a high-fiber diet tends to linger longer, so we stay full for a greater amount of time. And high-fiber diets tend to be less "energy dense," which means they have fewer calories for the same volume of food.
Eating a fiber and texture diet doesn't have to mean the dreaded bran cereals our mothers sat in front of us each morning, insisting it would "keep us regular." Even the bran cereals have come a long way in offering a tasty high fiber breakfast. There are plenty of other easy changes that will increase your fiber, while lowering your fat. They are painless lifestyle changes that will be easy for you and your family to adapt to. Dietary changes that you can live with are the changes that will allow you to be the most successful. Pick one or two changes I have included below and make the change. Go slow, and enjoy your new healthier eating plan.
Cooking pasta to the "al dente" stage allows the pasta to have a texture that offers some resistance to the teeth. Added butter or margarine isn't necessary if herbs, onions or garlic are added to the pasta for flavor. Use skim milk to make a cream sauce or a fresh tomato marinara sauce for a low fat, high texture meal. Using whole wheat pasta will provide a healthy, satisfying, high fiber, low fat meal.
Cooking vegetables to just the crisp stage will preserve the texture and bring out the natural flavor of the vegetables. If you must use sauces, use them just to accent the taste and not to drown out the taste of the vegetables.
Experience the many tastes of whole grain textured breads. These are much more satisfying and fiber- rich than white bread. Try pumpernickel, rye, multi-grain, or whole wheat. You may be surprised to find that you have a new favorite.
Also, drink plenty of water. Fiber works best when it absorbs water, making your stool soft and bulky. Without the added water, you could become constipated.
It takes time to train the taste buds to prefer healthier choices, but goes a long way in gaining life long healthy eating. This is a critical component of any fat loss program, and will lead healthier eating that will last a lifetime.
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