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| Source: lowfatcooking.about.com |
Your fridge could use a makeover. Sure, it's chock-full of healthy foods, but if you can't find the baby kale you just bought, then how will it end up in your breakfast smoothie? All you need is a little organization, and it'll go a long way in helping with weight-loss goals. Follow the tips below, and you'll be eating healthier in no time.
Get Organized
When all your food is crammed into the fridge, it makes healthy items less accessible, which means you're less likely to reach for them. Being able to see food neatly arranged in your fridge will inspire you to create healthy recipes and eat good-for-you snacks. A decluttered fridge also helps you keep track of staples, so you never run out of things like Greek yogurt or breakfast basics like eggs. Versatile plastic storage bins, like these from Crate and Barrel ($11), are clear and stackable, making it easy to peruse the array of healthy foods available at your fingertips.
Snack Center in the Fridge
Create a snack center in your fridge (one of those Crate and Barrel bins would be perfect for this), so you have a go-to spot to find healthy munchables when hunger strikes. Place the bin in front at eye level, and stock it with premade 150-calorie baggies of popcorn, cheese and crackers, trail mix, fresh fruit, cereal, pretzels, fruit and nut bars, fruit leather, and other healthy faves.
Precut Veggies
Veggies are low in cals and jam-packed with fiber; when you eat them you feel full longer, which keeps hunger at bay and prevents mindless snacking later. But your veggies can't help you lose weight if they sit in the crisper and go moldy before you have a chance to eat them. You're more likely to nosh on veggies if they're ready to eat. After hitting the grocery store, immediately wash, cut, and store carrots, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, celery, and cherry tomatoes in reusable containers. Place the stack of precut veggies next to a tub of hummus, a bottle of low-calorie salad dressing like Annie's Gingerly Vinaigrette, orhomemade nonfat yogurt dill dip.
Fruit Bowl
Fruit is also a perfect snack or dessert because the sweetness satisfies your sugar cravings, but it's much lower in calories than a chocolate bar or cookie. Ensure that you eat those nutritious apples, pears, kiwis, peaches, melons, and citrus fruits by displaying them in a bowl, so when you open the fridge door you're inspired to grab a piece.
Ditch the Junk
If unhealthy, nutrition-less food is in your fridge, you'll quickly push the carrot sticks out of the way to reach them. Get rid of everything from cans of soda to the half-eaten jar of nacho cheese sauce. What's that? You buy that stuff for your hubby or kids? Well don't. If it's there to tempt you, it will. If this health kick you're on rubs off on your family, it'll be that much easier to stick with it and drop those pounds; and your loved ones will be healthier too.
Store Healthier Alternatives to Your Faves
You know that ice cream is your weakness, so don't deprive yourself — it'll only lead to cravings. Make sure you have a lower-calorie option, such as sorbet bars, available to satisfy your sweet tooth. The same goes for other high-fat or high-calorie foods. Stock up on healthier alternatives, so you can still enjoy the foods you love without derailing your weight-loss train.
By: Jenny Sugar
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