Tricks of the Diet

[mycupoftea]

Do you have any tricks that help you stay the course? For example, when I see goodies sitting out in our lunch room at work, I think "that's not my food." And I would no more eat it than I would eat out of someone's lunch bag labeled with their name. In my mind I am thinking that food belongs to everyone else in the office, but not me. And it actually helps.
List your tricks here to help us along!

[Stacy]

What works for me right now is meal planning. Knowing what I'm going to make... having the ingredients at hand... is the difference between eating right and eating whatever is handy.

Also... not getting over-hungry. Sometimes I won't eat just because it's easier. NOT a good strategy.

Water... if I'm thinking about getting the water in, I'm not thinking about eating.

[nelly]

Having some sugar free sweet foods to eat when ever everyone else is eating sweets. If I don't have that, then I usually will be way more tempted to eat what is there.....

If I can have a substitute SB friendly food ready in place of what I usually eat or what is usually served, that also helps to keep me on track

[mycupoftea]

I'm with you on the menu planning, Stacy. That's usually my downfall - failing to plan!

I also find that brushing my teeth after dinner helps with not eating after dinner.

And not watching TV - or knitting while watching TV. Just sitting on the sofa in front of the boob tube makes me want to snack. So I also plan what I want to watch and if nothing looks interesting (which is most of the time) I go do other things. That has helped a lot.

[Stacy]

Keeping fresh veggies well stocked is another thing that helps me... and meat in the freezer. I can always put a meal together if I have meat and veggies. The Steamer bags of veggies are WONDERFUL to keep on hand. I think they're the best frozen vegetable on the market. 5 minutes in the microwave and they're done. I really like the brussel sprouts and those are the ONLY frozen green beans I'll eat.

I don't eat fruit, but you could say the same thing if you do... keep a selection on hand (fresh, frozen berries, canned in water).

When I want something creamy... cold... sweet... I'll eat a plain yogurt with a packet of splenda stirred in. Filling, good bacteria, cold and creamy.

Fresh lemons and limes... great to add to water or diet soda. Also very good for making a quick sf vinaigrette or marinade.