When it comes time for you to get rid of some of that stubborn body fat, you probably want to find the most simple and effective methods that you possibly can. By the same token, you want to be clever about it, too, so that you can retain some of your more pleasurable lifestyle habits. Getting into better shape and reducing the amount of fat you eat actually go hand-in-hand. The secret to its success is the person’s ability to stay with it long enough to see a change.
Tips to Reduce the Amount of Fat You Eat
1. Exchange Grain for Green
So many people are eating vast amounts of grains and wheat and wondering why they can’t lose that excess body fat. What has become known as “wheat belly” is sweeping through a reluctant nation, but help is on the way. Many restaurants have even jumped on the healthy-eating bandwagon, helping you to curb the amount of fat you eat one menu item at a time. Instead of burgers placed on top of heavy buns, sandwiches are now offered in lettuce-wrap form. This healthy trend can easily be brought home, and the benefits are pretty far reaching, too.
2. Say Sayonara to Sugar
Did you know that the amount of fat you eat every day is based largely on how much sugar you consume at mealtime? It is not all about the carbs here, contrary to popular belief. Rather, for a person to limit how much fat ends up on his or her body, he or she will have to learn how to limit sugar intake, specifically. This means paying attention to the labels on the foods you eat and perhaps trying out some sweetener alternatives, such as honey or stevia.
3. Mix It Up
One of the greatest things about the foods we eat is that they can be mixed with other foods to create a cornucopia of flavorful variety. On top of that, each food has its own unique effect on the body. The amount of fat you eat on a daily basis may be quite high, but if you add certain toppers or side dishes, you might be able to cut down how much of that fat ends up stored on your hips and tush. For starters, try sprinkling some chia seeds on the salads you eat. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Don’t Try to Ban All Fat
If you’re eating an excessive amount of this macronutrient, it’s certainly a good idea for your nutrition, overall health, and weight loss goals to cut back. However, even if you’re trying to decrease the amount of fat you eat on an average day, your goal shouldn’t be to cut it altogether.
The reason is that some fat, when well chosen and in appropriate quantities, can be very good for you! In fact, you’ll only hold back your health – and perhaps even your weight loss efforts – if you eat too little fat.
This doesn’t mean that you can decide to add deep fried foods back into your daily diet. Instead, it means that if you start using good quality olive oil, for example, in small amounts each day, you’ll be benefiting your health and weight loss, regardless of the calories it contains. The key is to eat it in small amounts so you don’t use up all your daily calories on that one fat.
Other great fats come from foods like almonds and walnuts, avocado, and flax. Each of these can be consumed in moderation without causing harm to your weight loss strategy.
How Much Fat Do You Need
While reducing the amount of fat you eat, it’s a good idea to understand just how much you need. If you can’t figure it out on your own, it’s wise to speak with a nutritionist, dietitian or your doctor. They may advise you in terms of eating a certain ratio of fat in your diet when compared to your protein intake and carbohydrate intake (the other macronutrients). They may also measure the amount of dietary fat you need in a range of grams.
To be able to monitor how much you’re eating, it’s always helpful to use a good quality nutrition tracker. There are web based options you can use in your internet browser, or you can use an app on your phone or other mobile device. This way, you can know that what you’re actually eating reflects the goals you have assigned yourself.