If you started a new “diet” on January 1st and have already abandoned it – blame it on Mother Nature. While the word diet by definition simply means the foods one eats, the word “diet” for most of us is associated with a period of deprivation in order to lose weight, or meet other health goals. The problem is that studies show that the when we deprive ourselves of the foods we love, we actually crave them even more! This sets us up for failure. It’s no wonder that “diets” that force one to eliminate entire food categories such as sugars, meats, starches (or gluten), dairy, and desserts (or all at once) are the hardest to maintain.

In order to truly succeed at becoming healthier one must be able to sustain a program not for days, or even months, but for a lifetime. If your diet does not pass this muster, it may be time to re-think it. What does work? Eating what you love! In a healthy way of course. I suggest this year instead of “dieting,” you consider these three goals:

1) Cook at home as often as possible. Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients (and the recipe). Even with “healthier” alternatives  now available on many menus, it’s hard not to be swayed by indulgent selections. A single restaurant meal can easily serve up an entire days worth of calories – and more than a days’ worth of sugar and fat. (A piece of cheesecake alone can be 1200 calories!) When cooking at home, read labels and look for lighter ingredients.

2) Find lighter recipes for the foods you enjoy – or eat – the most. The occasional treat has far less impact on your waistline than the foods you eat daily. Rather than eliminate a food completely, find a healthier way to enjoy it. Bake-fry instead of deep fry, use “light” products such as light mayonnaise and milk, and reduce sugar wherever possible. My satisfying recipes have been created to help you enjoy the foods you love for less (so you can enjoy them more!).

3) If you have must-have’s you crave that are high in calories (sugar or fat), reduce your traditional portion by 1/2 if you can. Rich foods are best (for you) eaten in small quantities.

If you can achieve these three goals this year, I promise, you will see results – without a “diet.”

My best to you and yours,