Save thousands of calories by following these 10 rules.

 

1.) Go Naked: Replace all buns or breading for sandwiches with a lettuce wrap alternative to cut calories, stabilize blood sugarĀ and boost fiber and micronutrient intake.

2.) Hydrate: Drink at least two to four cups of water before eating and one to two cups every 15-30 minutes after you start eating to fill your stomach and prevent overeating that can be triggeredĀ by dehydration.

3.) Eliminate Empty Liquid Calories: Minimize or eliminate all fruit juices, regular sodasĀ and alcohol. Opt for water, tea, or low calorie/carb beverages in moderation to leave more room for whole food choices that have more nutritional value and better fill you up.

4.) Do not fast in preparation for a feast as it will turn your body into a famished fat-storing machine the next time you eat. The resulting low blood sugar levels that come from not eating for four hours or more make you crave junk foods high in fat and refined sugars.

5.) Replace All White with Brown (Or Better Yet ā€¦ Green!): Be sure to use the whole grain alternatives for any starch you serve at your party (e.g. chips, tortillas, breads, rice, pasta). Whole grains have more vitamins and minerals and are high in fiber which means they wonā€™t have as negative of an impact on your blood sugar compared to their white counterparts. However, if you want to be a nutritional boy or girl scout, go one step further by replacing all brown with green in the form of green veggies (see ā€œGo Nakedā€ above).

6.) Focus on eating lean proteins, fruits and veggies first. Use these in unlimited amounts as needed to fill you up and best prevent the typical party ā€œkillshotā€ of high carbohydrate and high fat meals (e.g. thick-crust pizza with extra full-fat cheese).

7.) Never eat directly out of the bag or community bowl, and use smaller plates to put your food on while limiting yourself to a pre-set plate total (e.g. four plate maximum during a three-hour football game).

8.) Replace Gold With Green: Opt for guacamole over cheese for your salads and chips. Guacamole is not only low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, but it also has a ton of fiber that will help fill you up fast and prevent overeating. Though cheese is a true super food in moderation, it is very easy to overeat especially when mixed with refined carb sources like white chips and pizza.

9.) Replace Flour with Protein Powder: Few people know that protein powder makes a great cooking or baking substitute for flour (e.g. protein cookies). By adding protein and reducing carb intake you will boost metabolism.

10.) 20 Chews: Eat slowly and require a certain number of chews before you swallow to allow your brain enough time to get the ā€œIā€™m fullā€ signal (e.g. 20 pre-swallow chews).