Tried several diets and none work?  Sick of eating “diet” food?  No worries.  “Diets” don’t work for most people anyway.  The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make small changes that you can make into new good habits.  By eating fresh fruits and vegetables regularly you’re off to a good start.  Here are a few ideas you might be interested in making into your new healthy habits:

·      Drop out of the “clean plate club”.  Stop eating when you no longer feel hungry.  That’s right.  You are better off being finished with your meal before you actually feel full.  You’ll eat fewer calories this way and feel better too.

·      Stick to zero-calorie, high-quality H2O for your hydration needs.  Liquid calories don’t help you feel satiated.  Besides, wouldn’t you rather eat your calories instead of drink them anyway?  Avoid nutrient-void beverages such as soda or pop, fruit flavored drinks, and Kool-aid.  If you must drink sweetened or flavored beverages stick with 100% fruit juice, not from concentrate, or a glass of wine (that’s one glass not several).

·      Enjoy fruits and vegetables at EVERY meal.  The fiber and fluid in fresh produce will help you stay full and hydrated on hot summer days without making you feel weighed down.  Fruits and vegetables are chock full of important things like vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that help prevent disease and keeps us healthy.  Fruits and veggies are also naturally low in calories so you can enjoy them in larger quantities with less guilt.