Today we are going to discuss five simple hacks for all of us with busy and hectic lifestyles that are short on time.

The first simple hack is to practice some type of intermittent fasting. My version of intermittent fasting is very safe and effective. It has been very successful helping our patients lose weight.

Personally, I like the 16:8 schedule for intermittent fasting. This means that you are going to choose an 8-hour time period during the day; and that is when you are going to eat the majority of your meals. During this 8-hour time period you are going to eat all of your food groups, your proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, healthy carbohydrates and fruit.  Now, if you get hungry outside of this 8-hour window you are allowed to eat healthy proteins, vegetables and your healthy fats.

The great thing about this protocol is that you get to choose when you are going to eat. Many people like to start eating at 11 a.m. and finish at 7 p.m.. While I have other patients that work a night shift and choose their 8 hour time period at times that are convenient for them.

Diet hack number 2 is to keep your menu simple. Most of my  meals are very simple and easy. I make sure that I have a good healthy protein like fish or chicken and I enjoy large amounts of healthy vegetables. If you are one of our patients you know that most nights for dinner my wife and I enjoy large amounts of roasted vegetables.

We will chop up a head of cauliflower, broccoli, red yellow and green peppers then spread them over two large baking sheets and season them with black pepper, garlic and oregano.

For lunch, I usually have another small portion of protein with lots of vegetables. Even if you are out, lunch is easy because you can order a something like a grilled chicken Caesar salad and just have them put the dressing on the side.

For breakfast, I either have a smoothie or two eggs with a small avocado. Please make sure that you are using herbs and spices because you want your food to be enjoyable. Just because we are trying to be healthy and keep a good healthy weight doesn’t mean that we have to be eating food that tastes like cardboard. There are times when I do try to make my meals a bit more elaborate but this is usually short-lived because it just takes too much time and effort.

Diet hack number three is to plan out your meals in advance. If you make your  menu a week in advance it makes life so much easier. It also does quite a bit to ensure your success. If you make your menu in advance for each day you know exactly what you are going to be eating and at what time of the day. This keeps you from doing what I call free-styling. And free-styling is just winging it and eating whenever you get hungry and grabbing foods that are quick and easy.

Diet hack number four is to be a creature of habit. Personally, I can eat the same thing everyday. I have changed my way of thinking about food. To me, food is fuel, food is energy. Because of this, I am able to eat lots of the same foods everyday.  My wife on the other hand, needs more variety. But even she, has her go to foods.

Diet hack number 5 is to make sure that you have some quick and easy go to meals if you don’t have time to sit down and eat a meal. For me this means having a smoothie that’s quick and easy to make or having one of our protein shakes for a meal. For the best of both worlds to make sure  that I am getting the proper nutrition and fuel to help my body function at peak capacity I will usually make a smoothie with our protein powder. I love this because it only takes about 3 minutes and I have everything I need help control my appetite for several hours and it gives me the fuel and energy to function all day long.

I hope you find these 5 diet hacks helpful and share them with your family and friends. If you, a friend, or loved one needs help losing weight I invite you to call us and schedule your free weight loss consultation. Just call us at 215-821-7336 and we will gladly schedule your free weight loss consultation.