michael s
(Michael S)
#1
source of calories in the average American's diet, accounting for nearly 1
in every 10 calories consumed. On average, every person in the country
consumes 52 gallons of soft drinks per year. (That's a lot of sweetness;
consider that there are 13 TEASPOONS of high-fructose corn syrup in
just one 12-ounce can of soda.) Soft drinks are particularly problematic
because they go down so quickly and effortlessly, and your brain
interprets liquids as far less filling than it does solid foods, so it's easy
to overconsume. But you can overcome your reliance on soft drinks with
a little effort. Put a pitcher of ice water with a slice of lemon in your
refrigerator so you'll always have a cold drink at hand. Drink 8 to 12
glasses of the wet stuff a day. Water will help fill you up. It fosters food
digestion, helps break down fats and process proteins, and helps keep
your metabolism humming. For variety, drink fat-free milk, unsweetened
iced tea, and flavored waters. And watch out for fruit juices, seemingly
healthful drinks that often pack nearly as much sugar as a can of soda.
STICK TO A HEALTHY EATING PLAN FOR LIFE
New Abs Diet Principle #9:
Once a Week, Eat Whatever You Like
Pepperoni pizza? Go ahead. Real buffalo wings? Sure, enjoy! Kung pao
chicken with deep-fried egg rolls? Well, okay, if you must. But make it
a treat, not a habit.
I want you to ignore all the New Abs Diet principles once a week
for an important reason. It will help you to learn control. If you can
make it through 6 days of healthy eating and reward yourself for your
effort, you'll develop mastery over the human desire for instant
gratification. Plus, the food you find in your local restaurant will never
compare, in terms of health, nutrition, and flavor, to the foods you're
cooking up in your own kitchen. So go ahead, blow your calorie budget
on Saturday night by heading out to your favorite restaurant and eating
whatever you like. In fact, people who stop going to restaurants and start
