Week #4: Make Smart Choices

Learning the importance of portion control.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Writing down what you eat (and when and how and why), as The EatingWell Diet "prescribes" can teach you a lot about what your dietary challenges are. It can also help to point out your surest path to success. Since you've been following...

EatingWell Diet Challenge
Week #1: Are You Ready for a Change?
Week #2: Set Goals
Week #3: Boost Exercise
Week #4: Make Smart Choices
Week #5: Outsmarting Eating Triggers
Week #6: Get support
Week #7: Recharge Your Weight Loss
Week #8: Embrace Challenges
Week #9: Solve Problems
Week #10: Think Big Picture
Week #11: Be Nice to Yourself
Week #12: Celebrate Success

More Resources
EatingWell Diet Recipes and Menus
Healthy Diet Recipes, Menus and Tips
EatingWell Diet Challenge Recipes
Essential Weight-Loss Tools
EatingWell Menu Planner

When it comes to weight loss, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. And 3,500 extra ones—whether they come from ice cream or vegetables and brown rice—will cause you to gain a pound.

That’s why it’s so important to estimate calories accurately (which requires knowing what a portion really looks like). And, of course, from a health perspective, it’s always better to eat healthful, nutrient-packed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and lean sources of protein, including poultry and fish. Choosing these sorts of foods can help you to lose weight: they’re low in calories but very satisfying.

Similarly, mastering the principles of healthful cooking can help you to trim fat and calories while still enjoying your favorite recipes. The result: You won’t feel deprived and will stay motivated to stick to the healthy behaviors that will help you reach your goals.