Fill Up The Right way!

I went on the weighing scale after a long time and was shocked to see that I had put on four pounds in the past three weeks! Not surprising though, since my eating habits had been somewhat erratic due to business and social commitments. I carry nuts with me because they are a healthy snack but can add on those calories and really should be eaten in moderation.

Drs. Roizen and Oz have a weekly column in the Toronto Star and their advice is lifestyle oriented and simple enough to follow. Here are some of their tips and strategies which I want to share with you.

If we feel the urge to munch, dip a piece of chewy wholegrain bread in the best olive oil that you can find and savor the flavor! Olive oil contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that helps control your appetite. Upon reaching the small intestine, oleic acid triggers the production of oleoylethanolamide (OEA), another fatty substance, that finds its way to nerve endings that tell the brain: "Stop eating! You're full!"

Get a similar effect with these strategies:
•work off your appetite - aerobic exercise may make you less hungry.
•fire up your omelette - adding some red pepper to it could decrease the amount you eat during the day.
•chew gum - good way to control hunger pangs, fewer cravings for sweets and other unhealthy snacks.
•sleep - lack of sleep increases appetite (I learnt this the hard way!). Next time you want to snack, hit the sack instead!