Teen Health

Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Healthy Habits for Weight Loss

There are several habits that serve as healthy ways to lose weight. They include:

1. Eat breakfast. Breakfast helps give you staying power throughout your day, and can even increase school performance. Studies show that eating breakfast may help keep you from binging later in the day. No need to eat a lot -- fruit, a little cereal or an energy bar, and maybe some milk is all you need to get going. If you're running late, just munch as you walk to class.

2. Don't skip meals to "save" calories. You'll likely make up for the skipped meals by snacking later on junk foods, which are high in calories, sugar, and trans fats (harmful fats found in many commercial snacks).Some recent findings show that junk foods make up nearly one-third of the total calories in the typical American diet. Remember, several small meals spread out through the day is the best approach.

3. Eat more lean protein to control your appetite. Go for low-fat dairy; skinless chicken and turkey; fish; lean cuts of beef, pork, and veal; legumes; soy foods; and nuts and seeds. Avoid animal foods that are high in saturated fats (such as fatty cuts of beef and high-fat dairy).

4. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans (including soy). Studies show that these plant-based disease-fighters make up only 10% of the calories in the American diet. Plant-based foods are high in water and fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants, yet very low in calories. Diets high in plant-based foods play a key role in the prevention of diseases, including obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.