Week 8 Results

CHALLENGE:

This week's challenge is all about not making common Diet Mistakes. To enter the drawing you must avoid three of these this week.

·Diet Mistake No. 1: Racing to the Finish 

·  There's no reward for finishing your meal in record time -- unless you're a contestant in a hot dog eating contest! Our hectic schedules have led many of us to adopt the unhealthy habit of rapid eating.

·Diet Mistake No. 2: Skipping Meals

· Research shows that breakfast skippers weigh more than breakfast eaters. There is a misconception that skipping breakfast -- or any meal -- saves calories. The truth is that most people who eat fewer than three meals usually end up eating more calories during the course of the day.

·Diet Mistake No. 3: Too Many Liquid Calories

·Liquid calories from alcohol, smoothies, coffee with cream and sugar, sweetened juices, teas, and sodas can really contribute to weight gain. One recent study found that Americans get approximately 21% of their calories from beverages.

·  Diet Mistake No. 4: Oversized Portions
   Leave a few bites on your plate.

    Use smaller plates and bowls.

   Periodically check your portions with measuring cups.

·  Diet Mistake No. 5: Choosing Unhealthy Add-Ons

 Not only have portions crept up in size, we also have a tendency to top off our "diet" salads and other favorite foods with high-fat toppings, like bacon, cheese, croutons, and creamy dressings.

·  Diet Mistake No. 6: Mindless Eating

    "Eating amnesia" is the act of unknowingly putting hand to mouth, usually from a bag or box in front of the television, while reading a book. It can also happen at happy hour, or when you finish the last few bites on your child's plate.