I’ve always been an avid reader, and when I was a kid I loved the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Does anyone else remember those? You get a scenario, like being chased in the jungle by some bad guys with swords, and then at the bottom of the page you have two choices. You can either go down a steep cliff on foot, or go into a seemingly cozy cave to hide. The only problem I had with the Adventure books was that I usually made the wrong choice early in the story and ended up dying or being otherwise kicked out of the book.
I think weight loss is a lot like those Adventure books. As well-intentioned and dedicated to losing weight as you are, it is easy to make the wrong decisions. Dieting is such a huge money-making industry, and a lot of companies take advantage of that. The problem is that a lot of foods are presented as diet-friendly that really are much higher in fat and calories than most dieters think.
Buzz words on packages like “reduced fat”, “multi-grain”, or “sugar-free” give you the idea that these are diet foods. And when you go out to eat, there are almost always salads and other dishes on the menu that give the illusion that they are made for dieters. And while that illusion may be misleading, I’m a firm believer that any food or restaurant can be diet-friendly if you have the tools to manage your calories and servings. And the great thing is, with the wonderful hubbub of the internet, you can get those tools (for which people have been paying big bucks for decades) for free.
There are two major resources that I use on a daily basis, and they have made all the difference in my weight loss. The first is a website that doctors recommend for patients that are diagnosed with diabetes, who can get on and type in the name of an individual food or a meal and get calorie, fat, sugar and sodium information. It is www.calorieking.com, and it’s such a useful tool. The database is huge, with new foods and restaurants constantly added, and is quite accurate. And one of the best parts of it is that it takes the worry out of trying new foods, both at home and restaurants. When I know I’m meeting friends for dinner, I go to Calorie King and type the restaurant into the database. For most food chains, it brings up a list of meals and their nutritional information. So, no more guesswork for dieters. You can enjoy your meal with the freedom that comes with knowing you’re treating yourself while staying in control.
The other site has some similarities to Calorie King with some tweaks here and there. www.thedailyplate.com is a great resource that, like Calorie King, has nutritional information. While the database is not quite as large, it is sufficient for many basic foods. The great part of the Daily Plate is that it is a food diary. You input all of the foods you eat throughout the day, and track your calories for the day. Having a written account of your food is one of the single best things you can do for weight loss.
Food diaries and books with calorie info can be cumbersome and expensive. With these two useful websites, you can be empowered in a way that is both cost-efficient and convenient.
Yes, weight loss is an adventure, and sometimes it is difficult to know what choice is the right one. Adding Calorie King and the Daily Plate to your diet plan will make for fewer mistakes and wrong turns. Losing weight does involve discipline and finding the inner strength it takes to make the right choices for your body. Having tools that enable you to plan ahead and keep track of your food intake make it easier to find that strength and discipline, and to make your diet story a successful one. Good luck!
