Dieting Tips

WHEN TO EAT, WHEN TO WEIGH
If you're a woman, a good time to keep the scales put away is several days before or after your period. Because of hormones, a woman's weight may fluctuate as much as eight pounds in a cycle. This fluctuation has nothing to do with food. Also, always avoid stepping on the scales the morning after you've indulged in a high-fat meal. Try to limit your fat at the evening meal because fat takes longer to digest than carbohydrates and the body processes slow down during the night. Some nutritionists even advocate not eating at all after 6:00 PM. The morning-after poundage probably isn't true weight gain, because it actually takes 3500 calories to equal one pound. Be careful though, since it doesn't take long for continuous extra calories to add up.

USE THOSE LEFTOVERS
A wonderful wintertime staple is a great big pot of homemade vegetable soup, stew, or gumbo. The bigger the variety of vegetables in the soup, the more flaovrful the pot.

There is an easy way of adding variety to your stew or soup. Rather than throwing out your leftover vegetables, freeze them. Then, all you have to do is add them to whatever soup stock you have. (You can even scrape leftover ears of corn into the pot.) Use your imagination to end up with a different soup or stew each time.

VERSATILE APRICOTS
Most people don't think about adding apricots to their fruit bowl. However, not only are they attractive, their health benefits are plentiful. Apricots can help prevent heart disease and cancer, and they can also protect the eyes. They contain Beta Carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body. Keep apricots in the fruit bin of your refrigerator. They remain fresh for about a week. Try grilling, broiling, or poaching in addition to eating them fresh and dried.

CAKE BAKING HINTS
One way to keep cakes from sticking to the pan is to line the cake pan bottoms with brown paper bag liners. Trace bottoms of cake pans and cut out liner. Place liner in bottom of cake pan, spray with baking spray or other non-stick spray, then dust with flour.

Another change of pace is to dust your pans with cocoa powder instead of flour, which sometimes leaves a powdery white residue.

STRESS AND THE HOLIDAYS
Stress can be a dieter's worst nightmare, especially during the holidays. Amidst shopping chores, cleaning, cooking, etc., it's important to make some time just for you. Buy some new clothes, get a new hairdo, or simply relax with a good book.

Make a list of things you need to do. Often, careful planning will make your day run smoother and will help you avoid stress eating. Don't overload your to-do list. Above all, don't forget that down time. Keep a few special "planned" food treats on hand that you can enjoy while you're relaxing with a favorite beverage.

And don't berate yourself or give up if you have trouble sticking to your program. Just put your slip-ups behind you and keep on going. You'll be fine!

A YOGURT DELITE
For an anytime dessert or snack, use yogurt to fix this low-fat recipe.

Drain pineapple and add to yogurt. Stir in pudding mix and mix well. Add sweetener to taste. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. Top with fat-free whipped topping if you desire. This recipe is fat-free.

MONOSATURATED FATS
Monosaturated fats are somewhat better for you than saturated fats. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats are olive and canola oils, canola oil margarine, and most nuts. Eating these foods can possibly reduce your LDL levels; LDL is the bad cholesterol in your blood that leads to coronary problems. You should strive to keep your daily intake of monounsaturated fats between 10 and 15% of your total calorie intake.