How can you build a healthy diet and allow yourself to eat your favorite sweets? You have a choice about whether to avoid all sweets so you can be successful in your weight loss journey. Although it may seem impossible, the truth is, you can still treat yourself to your favorite sweets and have a successful weight loss journey if you’re selective. Here are some tips to build a healthy diet and eat your favorite sweets while you lose weight.
Try a healthy version:
If you’re worried your favorite food may up your daily caloric intake, try to find a lower calorie, healthier version of that food to keep your caloric intake at your desired level for successful weight loss. For example, if you are someone who loves soda, instead of drinking a root beer or other kind of soda try an Olipop instead! Olipop is a brand that provides a healthier version that has the same satisfying taste of your favorite sodas. Look at the nutrition label of an Olipop Root Beer versus a Barq’s root beer:
Treat yourself to smaller amounts:
Another trick is to reduce the amount and how often you eat favorite sweet treats. If you eat your favorite chocolate bar every day, instead of eating the whole bar, reduce the amount by eating half of it. Slowly reduce the amount until you feel you only need a bite or a square to satisfy your cravings. Try balancing your chocolate with more fruits and vegetables throughout the day so you can keep your favorite sweet treat in your diet and see results in your weight loss journey.
Keep sweet treats out of the house:
Keep your home filled with foods that will be beneficial to your weight journey is another great way to be successful. Instead of bringing sweets home where you have easy access, limit yourself to only eating that sweet thing on an outing. For example, instead of keeping ice cream in your freezer at home, treat yourself to some soft serve from an ice cream shop on a planned outing. This can feel more rewarding and prevent unnecessary snacking from having an easy access to your freezer.
Eat Selectively:
You can also empower your weight loss by being selective. Enjoy sweet treats on special occasions of your choosing as a great way to enjoy them and sustain a successful weight loss journey. It can also feel more rewarding when you choose your own rules and limit yourself to sweet treats on special occasions. The idea of being able to eat anything you want will make your weight loss journey more enjoyable. Allow yourself to decide how often and how much of those sweet treats you eat as the key to success.
A successful weight loss journey does not have to be about cutting out your favorite sweet treat. Try these tips and see what may work for you in the long run! Everyone has a different journey and making small changes in your life like replacing your favorite soda with a healthier alternative can make a difference in how fast you see results. Talk to your dietitian for more personalized ways you can keep your favorite sweet treats in your diet while have a successful weight loss journey to living a fulfilling life at a healthy weight.
Click here for more ways to create your own weight loss rules.
- Click here to watch the Latest Sweet Life Wellness Podcast Episode on How to Enjoy Mindful Eating.
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
Lana Shahine
Nutrition & Food Science – Dietetics
University of Maryland, College Park | 2023
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