Quick Diet HowTo Community

1. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods from the basic food groups and reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.

2. Be physically active for more than 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. This amount of exercise helps reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes. Set goals for moderate-intensity physical activities, such as walking briskly, and track your progress as you increase your activity level.

3. Exercise for 60 to 90 minutes a day if you are trying to lose weight or sustain weight loss. Chart your progress as you increase your activity level.

4. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further from entrances, take a walk after dinner instead of watching TV. Be sure you are in safe and well-lit locations when engaging in these activities.

5. Keep a food journal. Keep track of all the food you eat in a day, what times you eat, and if you feel full or hungry. Look at your journal to find ways to improve your eating habits.

6. Prepare smaller amounts of foods from a variety of food groups. Compare your portions against the suggested serving size listed on food packaging for a few days so you know how much you are eating. You may want to consider the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which you can find online at www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.

7. When eating out at restaurants, eat only half of your meal and take the remainder home.