8 Simple Steps to Get Your Diet Back On Track

By Sara Siskind

If youΓÇÖve strayed from your good intentions about sticking to a healthy diet or a weight-loss diet, youΓÇÖre far from alone! Here, to help you get back on track, are eight easy hacks:

1. Start each morning with 2 large glasses of water with fresh squeezed lemon.  Our bodies wake up naturally dehydrated.  Instead of reaching for coffee or tea, begin with water!  The lemon naturally cleanses the body and adds beneficial vitamin C to keep your immune system strong.

2. Stick with 3 satisfying meals with 1 to 2 snacks a day if needed.  A satisfying meal contains a healthy fat, fiber and protein.  Also add in different flavors and textures to keep your food interesting.  Think hot and spicy, creamy and crunchy!

3. Fast for 12 hours a day. For example, finish your last meal by 7 p.m. and have your next meal the following morning day at 7 a.m. If you prefer, choose 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. We work hard all day long digesting our food, which takes lots of energy from us. Your body’s digestive system needs a break too.

4. When you snack, choose high-protein, fiber rich whole foods. A handful of nuts with a piece of fruit is a great option. It’s the perfect a source of heart healthy fat, protein and fiber that our bodies need to help us get through the day. My favorite on-the-go snack of choice is Setton Farms Pistachio Chewy Bites.  Its chock full of antioxidants and protein and comes conveniently packaged in a bite-size snack.

5. Break a sweat! You don’t need to dedicate an entire chunk of time to a workout, but make it count. Instead of an hour walk, run an 8-minute mile and 2 minutes of pushups and sit-ups. Jump rope for as long as you can and do a plank for 60 seconds. When you sweat, you release toxins and endorphins that make you feel good.

6. Add in more greens! The number one thing missing from the Standard American Diet are greens. Leafy greens are loaded with nutrients and micronutrients Switch up your breakfast from oatmeal to a green smoothie or an omelet with veggies.

7. Stay away from B.L.T’s- Bites, Licks and Tastes. You know who you are . . . They certainly add up when you are trying to lose weight and stay on track. BLT’s end up as mindless eating that doesn’t satisfy or curb your appetite.

8. Don’t get to the point of starvation. Trying to watch what you eat doesn’t mean starving. Hunger is ok. It is a sign from our body telling us it is time for more fuel. However when you go too long without food your body’s metabolism slows and it is much harder to get satiated. Rule of thumb: Do not go more than four hours without eating.

Sara Siskind, Certified Nutritional Health Counselor, is the founder of Hands On Healthy, cooking classes for adults, families and teens based in New York. Sara has dedicated her career to educating clients on how food and lifestyle choices affect health, and how to make the right choices to look and feel your best each day. Sara┬átranslates the┬ácomplexity of integrated nutrition┬áinto usable tools with easy-to-cook recipes that appeal to the entire family.┬áSara counsels privately to offer highly customized health and nutrition plans for her clients. She also works with parents on shopping and┬ácooking smarter┬áto create┬áhealthier homes. In addition,┬áshe teaches beginner to gourmet┬ácooking classes┬áwith her signature “toss it in” approach. In addition, Sara┬áregularly works with corporations and non-profit organizations to lead workshops and lectures on healthy eating.┬áPlease visit www.sarasiskind.com