Swap Diet Soda for Water

Always reaching for a sugar-free cola when you’re thirsty? You may want to trade it for a glass of plain water. Women who drank low-or no-calorie beverages like diet soda, black coffee or unsweetened tea in place of sugary drinks lost less weight than those who switched plain water.
And those who sipped a few extra glasses- a total of at least 33 ounces (about 1l)a day lost even more weight as staying hydrated may increase metabolism, so you burn more fat. Plain water could simply be a more effective hydrator than any other beverage. Your new diet strategy: Limit your intake of sugary drinks, including juice, soda or iced tea to at least five cups of water a day. To jazz things up, add cucumber slices, fresh mint, or a twist of lemon or lime.

Healthy alternatives

Try these alternatives when you have a craving,

1. Instead of cookies

Choose high-fiber foods like oatmeal biscuits, muesli and cereal. Sprinkle some cut fruit on your cereal to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. Instead of Ice-Cream

Choose low fat ice cream will give you calcium without the fat content. Or try low-fat yogurt for a boost of bifidus and other cultures.
3. Instead of Macaroni and cheese

Substitute with low-fat cheese, or eliminate the cheese and cook the macaroni in chicken or vegetable soup.
4. Instead of Potato Chips

Choose baked potato is a healthier choice but keep an eye on how much you eat.
5. Instead of Salad with Mayonnaise

Substitute the mayonnaise with low-fat yogurt or lemon juice. Although you can eat your salad without guilt, the dressing you choose can make a big difference to your calorie intake.