Fit people are successfully lean and healthy not due to good luck or hereditary, but because of having developed the right eating habits and regular exercise rou. It is not just what we consume, but also when we choose to eat, and how much, also plays a significant role in influencing our weight. We tell you about five very common eating habits that you need to change right away if you wish to lose weight.
The 'no breakfast' rule
Skipping breakfast is the commonest habit when it comes to food. Many people think that having a cup of tea/coffee is enough to sustain them till lunch. In fact, some even have more tea/coffee in case they feel hungry before lunch! However, did you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, in case you are planning to lose weight. Studies have found that people who give breakfast a miss are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t. A healthy breakfast helps trigger your metabolism right at the beginning of the day, preparing your body to burn more calories throughout the day.
The 'heavy breakfast' rule
While some completely skip breakfast, there are others who take the “healthy breakfast” too seriously! It is true that breakfast provides energy to the body, and kick starts metabolism for the rest of the day. However, with this view, having calorie-laden foods in the morning is not a very wise idea. Simple carbohydrate-rich foods, like cakes, rice, pasta, white bread, and desserts and fried foods tend to make you feel lethargic throughout the day, apart from aiding weight gain. Try and incorporate as many fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your breakfast, as possible.
Eating only a few times in a day
The belief that if you eat as few times as possible, you will lose weight faster, is very common. However, having 5-6 small, healthy meals in a day is much better way to lose weight, rather than 2-3 large meals. Frequent small meals keep you full longer, provide you with energy, and also keep your weight under control. This is because you keep your metabolism active, thus burning more calories. Also, longer intervals of not eating activate the release of stress hormone, cortisol. This makes you feel hungrier, and eat more later. High cortisol levels are also responsible for accumulation of belly fat.
Eating quickly
Many people believe that if they finish their meals quickly, they might end up eating less. The complete opposite is in fact true! If you try to finish your plate quickly, you tend to get tempted to fill it up again, thus, eating much more. Instead, take your time to chew each morsel well, and take your time to finish your meals. Not only will you eat lesser, but this also aides in better digestion.
Eating late in the night
This habit is mostly a result of a disturbed sleep pattern. When you are awake till late, especially past midnight, your body sends hunger signals, making you want to eat something at the odd hours. Many people resort to comfort foods like, cookies, cake, fried foods, etc., at this time. It is very common for you to binge on high-calorie foods late in the night, when you are either watching TV or working for long hours. This holds truer for people who have starved during the day. If you wish to lose weight faster, make it a rule to have dinner by 8-8:30 pm, and eat nothing post that.
