Easy Diets to Stick To

Dieting can be a struggle for people who want a routine that will help them lose weight and keep it off. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a miracle diet. However, there are simple changes you can make in your daily diet that will help you lose weight and stick to your health goals.

Less Unnatural Sugar

• One easy way to lose weight is to cut out unnatural and added sugar. This means not drinking most soda or eating candy and cookies. Juices without added sugars can be substituted, although water is always a better substitute at mealtimes. Your body breaks down carbohydrates such as pasta and bread into sugar, so you don't need extra sugar in soda or candy for energy, according to the University of Missouri. You will also help curb future cravings of unhealthy snacks by beginning to cut down on the ones you already eat. To help with cravings, keep fresh fruit stocked in your kitchen or at work, and keep a healthy snack in your bag in case you get hungry while running errands.

Smaller Portions

• Eating a healthy portion size is critical for a diet and can be an easy way to skim off extra calories. Portion size is the amount of food you dish up, while serving size is the guidelines for the amount of food you should be eating, according to the Mayo Clinic. Appropriate portion sizes vary depending on what type of food you are eating -- a serving size of cooked pasta is about the same size as a hockey puck, and a serving size of cheese is about the size of four dice. To find the serving size on packaged foods, look for the nutritional information on the side of packaging which will list the exact size or weight of the serving size. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try eating three small main meals and two snacks. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends eating smaller potions of healthy foods slowly to reach a healthy weight. Popcorn, veggies and fruit are great snacks because they are low-calorie, so you can eat larger amounts of them.

Add Greens

• Many diets rely on reducing caloric intake until your body is in starvation mode instead of changing eating habits. Eating leafy greens such as kale and spinach will give you important nutrients and help you get full without eating food that is high in calories. Natural foods are lower in calories compared to processed foods, and the Harvard School of Public Health notes that effective diets reduce caloric intake, rather than fat content or carbohydrates. Leafy greens are great for diets because they are low-calorie, meaning you can eat more and still continue to stay true to your diet.

Drink Water

• Ensuring you drink enough water can help you lose weight. Drinking water before meals can help fill you up without any extra calories. Drinking two cups of water before a meal can help middle age or older adults lose up to 30 percent more weight than not drinking water before meals, according to the University of Arkansas. Exchange water for other drinks during meals and carry a water bottle with you to increase the amount of water you drink.

Think Long-term

• Diets are meant to be life-long changes, which is way so many fad diets are a waste of time. Most fad diets rely on a dangerously low caloric intake, and as soon as you begin eating a higher number of calories you gain the weight back. Try to create your own diet and think about what you can reasonably maintain for longer than what it takes to lose the weight. Achieving your weight goal means that you have to continue to eat healthy after you lose the weight, or you risk gaining it back. Think of dieting as a life-long process -- this way you will be encouraged every step of the way.