If your weight loss has slowed, or even stopped, then there's a good chance that you haven't been.
I'm going to end the confusion, and guessing, once and for all. In this week's column, I'm going to share my five steps to building a healthful meal. If you stick to this plan you'll know that your meals are healthful and goal supportive. And as a result, you can expect consistent, and healthy weight loss.
Here are my five steps to building a better meal:
Step 1: quality ingredients
These are the building blocks to a healthful meal. While you certainly don't need to dine in gourmet restaurants in order to ensure quality ingredients, you should pay attention to the quality of the foods you eat.
Choose foods that are:
- Fresh and locally grown
- Pronounceable ingredients
- Whole foods
Step 2: cooking method
The way a meal is cooked determines how many calories, how much added fat and the number of nutrients that survive. This simple factor will make or break your weight loss goal.
- Avoid foods prepared like this:
- Fried and battered
- Processed and packaged
- Doused with cream sauce
- Sauted
Choose foods that are prepared like this:
- Grilled
- Baked
- Broiled
- Steamed
