from Ann

How and Why You Eat Are as Important as What You Eat

Consider what, when, why, where and how you eat. Do you snack on high-calorie foods when you’re bored? Do you eat fast to get back to work? Do you have set mealtimes, or do you eat “whenever?”

Think hard about your old ways of eating and, if needed, make changes that will lead to a healthier lifestyle:

• Plan meals and snacks ahead of time. Bring low-calorie snacks with you to work, school or running errands.

• Don’t go grocery shopping or even write your grocery list while you are hungry. This will help you avoid the temptation to buy more than you need.

• Try to stick to an eating schedule. Studies show missed meals can lead to overeating.

• Eat from plates, not out of a container. It is much harder to keep track of how much you’ve eaten if you are snacking from the bag or carton.

• Eat slowly and enjoy each bite.

• Give your stomach a chance to catch up. It takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you’re full.

New eating habits can help create a whole new you.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team