Most of us have a clear idea about which food is good for us and which food is not. However, what we often fail to know is how much we should eat or even how much we have eaten.
When we’re trying to lose weight or simply to eat healthily, our kitchen can become our worst enemy, with its cupboards and fridge full of tempting treats! However, with a few tips & tricks, you will find yourself equipped for a successful diet, well able to control what you eat, and how much of it!
Here are our 6 top tips to help you stay healthy! 
1. Hide away tempting treats
If your favourite foods are visible, you are far more likely to eat them. Although it is better to avoid buying “junk” food at all, if you must have some at home for your family, then make sure they are well hidden at the back of cupboards or in sealed boxes. This way, you will be more likely to avoid mindless snacking and give yourself some time to think whether you really want to give in totemptation. You can also ask your partner to support you by not eating your favourite foods in front of you. Remember, out of sight, out of mind!
2. Keep healthy food visible
Did you know that we are 3 times more likely to eat the first item we see in the kitchen than the fifth? Move your healthy options to the front of the fridge or cupboards, so they are the first thing you see when open the door. Keep your fruit bowl filled with appealing and yummy fresh fruits and also keep ready chopped crudités in the fridge, then when you are hungry there’s always a healthy snack available!
3. Choose smaller package sizes
It has been proven that we are likely to eat more from a larger package size than from a smaller package. So if you buy a large packet of breakfast cereal or popcorn, you will serve yourself a larger portion, and eat too much. Ironically, the influence of packaging extends well beyond food portion sizes. So choose smaller packages and you will find yourself eating a lot less, without even noticing!
4. Eat from a smaller plate or bowl 
The size of our plates and bowls also has an influence on how much food we eat. If you choose a larger plate, you will serve yourself a larger portion, and you will continue eating until it is finished although you are actually feeling full. Studies show that we are likely to eat 40% more from a large plate containing a given amount of food than from a smaller plate containing the same amount of food.
5. When drinking wine: choose tall thin glasses 
Medical studies have revealed that people drink a greater quantity and more quickly from a short wide glass than from a tall narrow glass. This is because when we pour into glasses we focus on the height of the liquid, not the width. So choose a tall thin glass and sip slowly.
6. Make your kitchen an inspiration-place
It is so tempting to open your fridge and give in to temptation! Help yourself stay motivated by transforming your kitchen into a positive reminder of why you want to lose weight/stay healthy. For instance, write down your progress & inspirational quotes on the cupboards, and stick a photo of yourself that you love on the fridge, as well as a list of 5 reasons why you shouldn’t give in.
Now if you have any tips to share feel free to leave them in a comment below! We love hearing from you! xx
Jane
These are so useful – keep them coming!
Thanks Claire
Thank you Claire, we will