press 9 for diet tips (i hope it works, for me at least)

Who ever says that dieting is easy, that person needs to be sent to an ASYLUM ASAP! seriously, what is dieting actually? mindful eating? calorie counting? portion controlling? eating the "right' food? moderation? aiisshhh.... i think, dieting is like beauty, it is in the belly of the beholder. nevertheless, these are some key tips to keep those weights at the correct par. so, good luck!

Tip No. 1: Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.

Before you tear into that bag of potato chips (or after, so that you feel less guilty. roooiiiiiggghhhtttt....), drink a glass of water first. People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger (this is true. i applied this to meself), so you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold (burns more cals than warm water) glass of water is really all you needed. If plain water doesn't cut it, try drinking flavored sparkling water or brewing a cup of fruit-infused herbal tea.

DRINK! by hook or by crook (just be mindful of the source yeah. we don't wanna end up with diarrhea!!)

Tip No. 2: Be choosy about nighttime snacks.(do not ignore your hunger at ANY TIME at all!)

Mindless eating occurs most frequently after dinner, when you finally sit down and relax. Snacking in front of the TV is one of the easiest ways to throw your diet (if ever you were on one) off course. Either close down the kitchen (under nuts and bolts if you really can't control yourself) after a certain hour, or allow yourself a low-calorie snack, like a 100-calorie pack of cookies or a half-cup scoop of low-fat ice cream, or fruits (not durian or bananas or avocados).

down everything you ever desired to snack on before you start the mindful snacking regime. heheheheh this is so discouraging, eh?

Tip No. 3: Enjoy your favorite foods. (really?)

Instead of cutting out your favorite foods altogether, be a slim (how i wish....) shopper. Buy one fresh bakery cookie instead of a box, or a small portion of candy from the bulk bins instead of a whole bag. You can still enjoy your favorite foods — the key is moderation (mama's fav quote. she should have it registered).

i heart cereals

Tip No. 4: Eat several mini-meals during the day.

If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you'll lose weight. But when you're hungry all the time, eating fewer calories can be a challenge. "Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight," says obesity researcher Rebecca Reeves, DrPH, RD. She recommends dividing your daily calories into smaller meals or snacks and enjoying most of them earlier in the day (have breakfast like a KING!! well, i know i do...) — dinner should be the last time you eat.

mini lamb cutlets: nak buat taik gigi pun tak cukup ni...

Tip No. 5: Eat protein at every meal.

Protein is the ultimate fill-me-up food — it's more satisfying than carbs or fats (and less guilty) and keeps you feeling full for longer. It also helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning. So be sure to incorporate healthy proteins like lean meat, yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans (i live and breath soy, especially edamame!!!) into your meals and snacks.

protein, meet friend. friend, meet protein.

Tip No. 6: Spice it up. (some like it hot!)

++ spices or chillies to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied. "Food that is loaded with flavor will stimulate your taste buds and be more satisfying, so you won't eat as much," says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Malena Perdomo, RD. When you need something sweet, suck on a red-hot fireball candy. It's sweet, spicy, and low in calories. Plus the heat that is generated by heat-producing spices actually increases the metabolic rate!

Chillies: hate them, love them. simply put, i can't live without them.

Tip No. 7: Stock your kitchen with healthy convenience foods.

Having ready-to-eat (healthy) snacks and meals-in-minutes on hand sets you up for success. You'll be less likely to hit the drive-through or call in a pizza order if you can throw together a healthy meal in five or 10 minutes. Here are some essentials to keep on hand: frozen vegetables, whole-grain pasta, reduced-fat cheese, canned tomatoes, canned beans, pre-cooked grilled chicken breast, whole grain tortillas or pitas, and bags of salad greens.

my (dream) pantry: filled with dried soy beans, tonnes of cereals, powdered skim milk, fruits, diet sodas.

Tip No. 8: Order children's portions at restaurants. (even if you are 87!)

Ordering a child-size entree is a great way to cut calories and keep your portions reasonable. This has become such a popular trend that most servers won't bat an eye when you order off the kids' menu. Another trick is to use smaller plates. This helps the portions look like more, and if your mind is satisfied, your stomach likely will be, too. Use small utensils too, it actually make you think that you are eating more than enough.

Carl's Junior anyone?

Tip No. 9: Swap a cup of pasta for a cup of vegetables.

Simply by eating less pasta or bread and more veggies, you could lose a dress or pants size in a year. "You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," says Cynthia Sass, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

i like veggies. so, no prob for me. great recipes at www.fatfree.com

.....lemme know if it works.....(-_-")