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

It’s always better to eat healthful, nutrient-packed foods—fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy foods and lean protein sources, such as poultry and fish—but when it comes to weight loss, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. Accumulate 3,500 extra ones and you gain 1 pound. That’s why it’s so important to learn what a portion really looks like (hint: a serving of lean protein should not be as big as your head). Mastering the principles of healthful cooking can help you make dishes that deliver “deliciousness” without all the calories and fat. The result: You won’t feel deprived and fall off the wagon with a big binge when your co-worker brings in a plate of her homemade brownies to share.