Imagine being able to eat whatever you want and still lose weight. You’re probably thinking, gotta be a catch, right? Not really.

As evidence builds that conventional weight-loss methods simply don’t work in the long term, some nutritionists and psychologists are encouraging a kind of non-diet diet, in which you eat what you want. 

Non-dieting is really about a way of life. Read on for healthy eating tips sure to help you lose weight and keep it off without deprivation or meticulous calorie counting.

Make your plate visually appealing.

Presentation is important. Make sure your meals are a sensory treat in more ways than one. Think about the colors, sizes and textures. Opt for veggies in every meal; the rich greens, reds, purples and yellows in vegetables are beautiful on the plate and are veggies are high in nutrients, low in calories.

Watch your portions.

Even healthy foods have calories. Keep an eye on portion size and eat with your stomach, instead of your eyes, mouth or wallet. Use this basic guide to get a handle on proper portion size.

Keep healthy snacks within reach.

Many people are guilty of snacking around the clock (especially at work). And most of the snacks you munch on are full of fat and carbohydrates. Keep things in check by having healthy snacks within reach. Fresh fruits and veggies, (carrots sticks, cucumber slices, apples slices, bananas), yogurt and the occasional small handful of almonds are great choices. 

Eat off a red plate.

Did you know? The color of your plate has a significant role in how much you eat. Scientists have found that when subjects eat off red plates, they tend to eat less than when eating from plates of any other color.

Replay those tapes in your head.

It’s simple. When you make poor food choices, you don’t feel good. It’s important to be conscious of how you feel after eating something “bad.” Most of the time, we don’t get a positive response after we eat unhealthy foods. We feel guilty, bloated and tired. Pay attention to this! Next time you’re tempted by dessert or just a “few more” fries, remember how terrible you felt later, and you’ll be less inclined to revisit that same scenario.

Avoid midnight munchies.

After dinner, teach yourself to think of the kitchen as being closed for the night, and brush your teeth — you’ll be less interested in food, if you have a clean mouth. If a craving hits, wait 10 minutes. Most of the time you’re not hungry, just bored.

Give yourself permission to eat what you want.

Part of the reason nutritionists are excited by the non-diet diet is that it supports psychological research showing that if a food is forbidden, it only becomes more tempting. The idea is that after eating cookies, cake or pie, intuitive eaters will naturally be drawn to more nutritious foods at the next meal, balancing out that extra fat and sugar. Makes sense now, doesn’t it?

If you’re trying to eat healthier, you can try to trick yourself, but there’s no shortcut to good habits. Practicing mindful eating is a sure way to keep you on track of your weight-loss goals.

Now that you’ve read our tips, tell us: will you ditch your diet?

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References:

• http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-strategies/best-non-diet-diets

• http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/nutrition/non-diet-approach-health-every-size-haes

• http://www.healthnotdiets.com/

• http://www.laweekly.com/squidink/2014/02/12/color-psychology-red-plates-make-you-eat-less

• http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/how-to-get-control-of-your-portion-sizes.html#b