Secrets To A Diet Friendly Kitchen

Do you have a diet-friendly kitchen? There’s been a drastic increase in food, health and dieting related studies recently, and it appears your kitchen can have a big effect on your weight loss success. It’s time to stop treating the kitchen like a forbidden land full of treats, and kick it into shape by creating a diet-friendly kitchen.


HAVE A FRUIT BOWL

Okay, so it’s not really as simple as having a fruit bowl, but a recent study by Cornell University found that we are three times more likely to eat the first thing we see when we enter the kitchen. The problem? People are much more likely to display cakes and cookies than healthy foods. Mix it up, and boost your weight loss, by displaying fruit, a chopped salad or prepared vegetables in your newly diet-friendly kitchen instead.

HIDE THOSE TREATS

Along those same lines, it’s important to put away any treat foods. While most diets would recommend not buying any junk food, so that there is nothing to tempt you, most people find that they can stick to a diet for much longer with an occasional treat. Just make sure that they are hidden away somewhere where you won’t accidentally come across them – having to dig them out will prevent mindless snacking.

DOWNGRADE THE SIZE OF YOUR PLATES

Eating a good meal size but not feeling a loss? Your plates could be at fault. Many plates and bowls are much bigger than they need to be, which leads to too much food being served, or feeling that you ate less than you did due to having a half-empty plate. Invest in smaller plates and bowls – and while you are looking, keep your eye out for collections involving blue, which is thought to act as an appetite suppressant.


EAT PROPERLY

If you are forever picking at things and standing up to eat, you are much more likely to put on weight. Sounds obvious, right? It’s surprising how many families admit to eating at the computer, or on the sofa. Create a dining area and eat every meal there. Don’t eat unless you are sat there – you’ll see the difference in no time.


TIDY UP REGULARLY

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to order a takeaway when your kitchen is a mess? When you start getting hungry, nobody wants to fight their way through packets, clutter and plates. Keep your kitchen clean and tidy, and you’ll be much more likely to whip up your own excellent recipes – and you can almost guarantee that whatever you choose, you’ll have saved calories!


TURN OFF THE SCREENS

Sometimes it can feel there is just not enough hours in the day, so we are all guilty of watching TV, reading the news or checking emails while eating. Whether you are catching up with your favorite TV program during dinner or working through lunch at your computer, it could be sabotaging your diet. A study reported in the British Journal of Nutrition found that people who eat while distracted regularly miss body signals that indicate fullness, meaning you eat far more than you need to.


TURN IT OFF

We all know that teaching our bodies routine is a good thing, but did you know you can take it one step further? As well as trying to eat your main meals at the same time each day, close up the kitchen in the evenings. Eat your dinner, tidy up and then turn off the lights and close the door. With a bit of willpower, your body will soon learn not to crave food in the evenings.

FIGHT SUGAR

The most common reasons for eating in the evenings isn't hunger – they are stress-relief, boredom and sugar cravings. If you struggle to fight the cravings, try investing in some vanilla items, such as candles or air fresheners. A hospital in London found that a vanilla patch applied to the back of the hand significantly reduced sugar cravings due to its sweet smell, so make it work for you!

And let’s not forget the common but oh-so-effective methods of meal plans, adding spices and teaching yourself new recipes! Soon enough, your kitchen will be your favorite room in the house – and it’ll be a diet-friendly kitchen, too! How have you made your kitchen healthy?