• Never eat after 8 PM. Studies prove that your body's metabolism begins to shut down in the early evening. Your body needs fuel to function earlier in the day, but at night you are getting ready to fall asleep. Eat the bulk of your daily food intake around noon--that is when you are burning the most calories. But if you work nights, do it the other way around, of course. It's not the time of day that is important; it's the fact that your body is well-adjusted to a cycle where it doesn't burn many calories before and during bedtime.
• Americans are used to eating super-sized meals, so learn to limit your portion size. Eat smaller meals five or six times a day instead of the standard three huge ones, and grab healthy snacks like vegetables, fruits and low fat yogurt. You want to prevent any binging or "pigging out" that could occur. Eat modestly, but often, and be sure to drink plenty of healthy fluids--mostly, pure cool water.
• Limit your intake of saturated fats, sugars and any other substances in food proven to add empty calories to your daily diet. Don't drink any sodas since all the contain are empty calories and chemicals. Sodas also rob water from your system and make you thirstier. That can lead to eating more food.

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• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. You might want to go easy on some of the higher-calorie fruits such avocados, but in general veggies are a dieter's best friend. You might want to always eat your veggies with some meat protein to curb any histamines that might ravage your system. Also, eating plenty of veggies kills the hunger signals from your brain, due to their sheer bulk and fiber. Lastly, the nutrients in fruits and veggies will increase your physical strength. Eat your spinach!
• Eat lots of whole grains, which provide antioxidants that fight cancer and help you feel satisfied in a manner similar to that of eating veggies. Whole grains are even more filling, and can help you digest your food.
• Take a healthy multivitamin. Don't go overboard and try to take everything, because some of the substances we need interact non-positively and can cause chemical imbalances. Consult with your doctor and see what's recommended. One good multivitamin and mineral supplement--not a megadose of potentially harmful chemicals--can improve your skin, hair, appearance and health.
• Read the labels of foods whenever possible. Sometimes a few minutes extra at the grocery store can save you a lot of excess calories and fats by choosing the brand that offers better nutrition. Look for foods with all-natural ingredients, and try to stay away from foods with added sugar. Our habits at the grocery store have a lot to do with what we end up eating at home; so at the grocery store select more fruits and vegetables, lean cuts of meat, low fat milk products, and whole grains. Remember that if you have good food at home, you will be less tempted to grab a burger at the drive-thru.
• When cooking at home, try to prepare more than you need. By have leftovers, the next time you're hungry you can just re-heat the food. It's much better to eat something healthy than to choose poorly simply because you do not feel like cooking—the microwave can be your friend in these moments.
  

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