Lose weight and manage your weight for the rest of your life when you learn to love food and give it the respect it deserves. Food sustains us and keeps us healthy. It comforts us and instills memories that time cannot erase. Food is life.

Food is not the enemy when it comes to losing weight. One the contrary, food is the answer to losing weight. As a matter of fact, eating 5 times a day may help you to lose more weight than the traditional 3 meal a day spread. Of course, the portions will be smaller, but if you give yourself a few minutes for your stomach and brain to get in-sync, you may find that you are satisfied without the desire to go back for seconds. When food tastes delicious we naturally want to eat more, but that extra helping can be the difference between feeling well satisfied and bloated. When you overeat, you cause your body to spend time trying to digest and adjust to all the extra gas produced by the digestion process. Eating less gives the body the nutrients it needs and allows it to easily digest the meals you eat, thereby ridding the body quickly of waste and excess calories. Smaller meals and shorter waits between mealtimes means there is less chance of your body storing extra fat and calories.

Every meal you eat should be enjoyable and satisfying. Never feel guilty about eating. If you happen to overeat or succumb to temptation of some sweet confection, don’t let feelings of disappointment cause you to feel guilty. Instead, take time to enjoy what you are eating. More often than not, your craving of that particular treat will be diminished once you have given in, eaten it, and enjoyed it, thereby conquering the nagging feeling that you have somehow deprived yourself.

Dress up your meals with seasonings and herbs, colorful fruits and vegetables and garnishes. Use pretty plates and place settings so your meals never feel rushed. Avoid watching television or reading when you eat. These distractions can mask how much and how fast you are eating. Slow down and chew your food, especially meat and vegetables so that they have a better chance of digesting completely.

As often as possible, promote family gatherings and share your meals together. Although you shouldn’t have to be reminded to get together with family and friends, dining with loved ones creates a pleasant surrounding that makes mealtime enjoyable. Eating with others helps you to slow down, chew your food and really enjoy the flavors of a finely cooked meal.