Question

According to the food plate, which of these food groups should make up the largest portion of your diet?

Answer 1

1) Avoid all fad diets that involve getting rid of an entire food group. As soon as you go off the diet, the pounds will return. Make this a change you can live with for the rest of your life.

2) Drink lots of water.

3) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

4) At meals, use a smaller plate, so that the portions look larger.

5) For snacks, go for fresh fruit or vegetables.

6) Ask for your family's help in not bringing junk food into the house (if they do). On the grocery list, make sure you add any fruits or vegetables that you like so that the foods you like will be available at all times.

7) Make your own lunch for school (if you don't already). This will help you to be happier with what you get at noon.

8) Avoid fast foods. Most of them are high in calories and fat.

9) Probably one of the most important ... exercise daily. Start off lightly and work up. Go for a walk after dinner instead of watching tv or after lunch instead of standing (sitting) around with your friends. Get a friend to go with you. It's more fun that way. Start with a few crunches and push ups in the morning and add a few more after a week. Then a few more, etc.

This may not help you lose the weight in the time you want, but it will help you have a healthier life in the long run.

Lastly, most teens gain a little weight and look pudgy just before a growth spurt. Please take this into account.

Edit: I nearly forgot ... please, do not fast. If you do this frequently, your body will start to go into 'starvation mode' (according to my doctor) and your body will hoard what you eat, making it harder to use up the fat that you have already accumulated. Just like, if you go from no exercise to a heavy exercise routine -- your body will compensate, which is why it's important to ease into these things