Knowledge truly is powerful, and understanding why we may be gaining weight gives us the tools to reverse those numbers on the scale. We know that too many calories cause weight gain. However, sometimes it is the type of foods that we are eating that can sabotage our best intentions.

We metabolize different kinds of foods differently. For example, calories we consume from sugar will certainly affect us much differently than calories from healthy protein. Eating high fat, high-carb sugary foods can make us crave the very food that makes us hungrier and sadly, heavier. Foods that cause these cravings are well-known to all of us, including candy, soda, chips, crackers, pastries and ice cream. Other sources of sugar aren’t so obvious, like fruit juice and barbeque sauce, for example.

Eating high quality protein, on the other hand, keeps us feeling satisfied. Protein preserves muscle, which burns calories 24 hours a day—even at rest. Plus, it may help boost our metabolism as our bodies use more energy to digest it. Protein is found in numerous food sources besides meat and fish, such as beans, nuts and eggs.

This knowledge helps us understand that drinking a can of sugary soda with 140 calories will have a completely different impact on our body compared to eating the same number of calories from two medium eggs. Understanding why we should adopt healthier habits is a first step towards keeping the weight off—for good! The next step is finding the habits we want to adopt.

Here are some habits that can be integrated to a healthier lifestyle:

• Ditching sugar and starch. Eliminate or reduce simple sugars and processed, starchy carbs from your diet.

• Drinking more water. Staying hydrated throughout the day aids digestion.



• Being active. Moderate physical activity can have a positive effect on improving overall wellness.