Dinner is where much of our protein is found. In fact, the average American gets three times as much protein for dinner as he or she does for breakfast.
Yet this is a mistake. Eating protein throughout the day, rather than being a dinner centerpiece, is best suited to keeping the muscles healthy, according to a 2014 report in The Journal of Nutrition.
What that suggests to you is that dinner shouldn't look like a slab of meat with any starch on the side-the safest way is to keep your plate more balanced in the vegetable field. For more specific tips, we're putting together this list of good dinner habits that can help you lose weight.
If you're not hungry, don't eat
If you're not in the mood for your dinner, it's easier to just hit the sack and have a good breakfast the next day, according to a paper from the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research. In a survey of forty-five undergraduates, researchers observed that people who were mildly hungry before meals appeared to have lower blood glucose levels after eating than those who were not especially hungry before they ate.
Eat "wet" carbs
That doesn't mean soaking your potatoes in gravy. A wet carb is one that actually incorporates a lot of water, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, salad greens, and asparagus. Dry carbohydrates, such as bread, French fries, and pasta, require the body to give up water to absorb them. Wet carbs, on the other hand, help you to remain properly hydrated overnight. This helps the body digest the fiber you've consumed through the day and ensures that you continue to draw nutrition from the day's food consumption.
Blow off steam before dinner
If you've had a long day at work, don't hurry off home. Maybe take a stroll at the park and watch kids play. Or go meet a friend and visit an art gallery. Prepare for dinner by finding a way out of the stress of the day. Inability to let go of the work stress could lead to consistently elevated cortisol levels, causing issues with sleep and immunity, blood sugar irregularities, and weight gain.
Ditch the margarita
Frozen margarita may sound pleasant, but most restaurants and bars have ditched their fresh-fruit recipes in favor of viscous syrups made mainly from high-fructose corn syrup and thickeners. Generally, the more garnishes a drink has hanging from its rim, the worse it is for the waistline. Instead, take a drink made with a club soda and lime, or stick with a nutrient-packed red wine.
Finally, have a large glass of water before you go to bed, and put another one on your bedside table.
