MAIN Health

Beach Body Basics

As the weather starts to heat up, so does the desire to get in shape.

Anticipating outdoor activities, skimpy bathing suits and upcoming vacations, many people panic and resort to quick weight loss tricks and crash diets to get their bodies beach-ready.  

Carrie Latt Wiatt, Hollywood's Favorite Nutritionist and author of the book Eating by Design, has helped celebrity clients like Salma Hayek and Matt Damon shape-up and lose weight quickly for roles.

But, Wiatt says, the best way to get ready for summer is to take a healthful approach that provides both nutrition and enjoyment.

"The best way to break the cycle of crash diets and seasonal quick fixes is to consistently make smart food choices" said Wiatt. "Establishing an eating plan and adding variety to meals can make healthful eating more enjoyable and successful." Wiatt recommends the following tips to make smart eating simple and easy to maintain throughout the year.

• Choose a wide variety of powerful foods. A diverse diet is not only best for your health, but most satisfying to your taste buds. Emphasize foods that naturally boost energy while helping to protect against diet-related diseases.

• Powerful food fix: Choose 100 percent orange juice as a flavorful pick-me-up that provides essential nutrients including vitamin C, folate and potassium that may help boost your immunity and protect against some forms of cancer and heart disease when part of a high-fiber, low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

• Establish interval eating. Timing is everything. Regularly spacing out meals and snacks can stimulate metabolism, boost energy and improve your mood. Start with a healthy breakfast then eat several smaller meals throughout the day so you can enjoy the benefits of a steady fuel supply and a satisfied palate.

• Interval eating idea: Snack on healthy foods such as fresh fruit, snap peas and carrots with hummus and whole grain crackers between meals to keep your metabolism going, blood sugar stable and satisfy hunger.

• Maximize flavor, minimize saturated fat. Believe it or not, foods with lower fat and cholesterol can taste fantastic and feed a fit body. Lighter preparations unmask natural flavors and excite the taste buds.

• Maximum flavor factor: Grill or steam white fish instead of frying or sautéing to bring out natural flavors and nutrients while minimizing fat intake.

• Enjoy yourself! Happiness is your birthright, and smart eating focuses on the positive. Every meal is an opportunity to enjoy delicious foods while doing something good for your body. Relax and savor the moment!
  
  
• Enjoyment mantra: Make healthful meals tasty and easy. Look for nutritious recipes that strike your fancy and don't intimidate you, or experiment with your own combinations of your favorite power foods.

According to Wiatt, developing good eating habits while preparing for summer can help you continue to look and feel great throughout the year. A balanced diet that incorporates variety, power foods and healthy snacking can make developing and maintaining good eating habits easier.

More Chiff Dieting Resources: