5 Guilt-Free Tricks for Pigging Out

Moderation is tough. Sure, sure, it's the key to dieting. It shrinks your stomach and keeps the calories down, but if it were that easy, we'd all be skinny, wouldn't we? Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use when that restraint just isn't going to happen.

A warning before we start: these tips may seem rather boring. Ya see, this article isn't about endorsing guilt-free pigging out. No, I'm not going to tell you to go ahead and fill up on low-fat, low-carb snack foods—because A) they're junk and B) eating right isn't just about losing weight. It's about getting healthy. What I can offer, however, are a few tricks to offset the negative effects of compulsive eating.

1. Iced tea in restaurants. Everyone else gets a drink, so you feel kind of lame drinking water. What's a person to do? Diet sodas are out. The carbonation leaches calcium out of your system and the chemicals, well, are chemicals. That leaves iced tea. The best way to go is herbal, because then you don't have to deal with the caffeine. But even if it's regular iced tea, it's not a ton of caffeine and it fills you up, so by the time you get pressed for dessert, you're already feeling plenty full.

2. Veggie pig out. Have piles of fresh, bite-sized veggies on hand, whether it's for a party, for when you're cooking, or for when you're sitting around watching the tube. We're talking carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, mainly. Sure, they're not cheese puffs, but the thing is, you can absolutely go for it. Eat yourself crazy and it's just not going to do that much damage to your calorie count. Furthermore, you'll be filling up on vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

3. Pre-meal water chug. Down a glass of water before you eat. Not only does it make you that much more full, but it's a glass of water—and we all need at least eight glasses a day!

4. Big salad trick. You can basically eat salad until you grow long, fuzzy ears and a cotton-ball tail without harming your diet. The problem comes with the dressing. But there's a way around that. Next time you're having a huge salad, put it in a sealable container. Add a tablespoon or two of dressing, close the container and shake vigorously. You'll be amazed at much that stuff spreads around.

5. Air-popped popcorn. Add a little salt, but that's it. You're just eating fiber, basically. Boring? Maybe, but not as boring as eating air, which is your other guilt-free choice. Just be sure to pop a good multi-vitamin if you're going to fill up on fiber.

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