Stop the Calorie Counting

by Valerie Nahmad — October 13, 2007

Good news for the number-challenged among us. A recent MSNBC.com article argues that we "don't need to add or subtract a thing to get slim." Obsessing over calories makes us more likely to consume unsatisfying fat-free foods. Instead, we just need to focus on food quality, portion size, and meal timing. Toss the calculator and focus on these four tips:

• Pile on the produce--Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables fill you up. Aim for nine servings a day.
• Eat bigger snacks--Add protein (a stick of low-fat string cheese, a cup of skim milk) to help curb cravings and enhance the effects of leptin, a hormone that controls appetite.
• Drink more water--Studies show dieters who drink more water lose more weight.
• Portion your plate--Mentally divide your plate into quarters to keep portions in check--two quarters are for veggies, one for lean protein, and one for whole grains.