Secrets of Skinny People
Small changes to your diet can have big results.
Want to eat well but still keep your weight under control? You don’t have to radically change what you’re eating. Elizabeth Schaub, a dietitian at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, says that foods high in fiber and water can help you feel full with fewer calories. Here are some easy substitutions to try.
| INSTEAD OF Steak with potatoes and corn. |
INSTEAD OF White pasta with meat sauce and garlic bread. |
INSTEAD OF Traditional tuna noodle casserole. |
INSTEAD OF Vending machine chips. |
| Try: Steak with corn and a large green salad.
Why: A large potato can clock in at well over 200 calories, while the vegetables in a large salad easily contain fewer than 50. Just be sure to watch the dressing, which can contain lots of fat!  |
 Why: You’ll digest the high fiber in whole wheat pasta more slowly, so you’ll feel full longer. Plus, the tomatoes and peppers contain antioxidants, which can help fight off cancer. |
Try: A casserole made with wholewheat noodles, low-fat cream soup and a touch of cheese. Plus, add lightly steamed broccoli, carrots or cauliflower.
Why: When you lower the fat content and add vegetables, you can eat the same volume of food with fewer calories. Two cups of traditional casserole may contain 600 calories, while one cup of a modified version of casserole plus one cup of steamed vegetables with a teaspoon of margarine may only contain 350 calories. This cuts your calories almost in half, but allows you to eat the same amount of food. |
 Why: The fruit will fill you up and the protein in the low-fat dairy will help keep you feeling full. By Stephanie Thurrott |
When Dieting Isn't Enough
If you just can’t seem to shed your excess pounds, you might want to consider weight-loss surgery. Nick Nicholson, M.D., a bariatric surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Plano, outlines your options:- With gastric bypass, your stomach is stapled to make a small pouch. This pouch is attached to the small intestine in such a way that fewer calories are absorbed.
- Like a bypass, with a sleeve gastrectomy your stomach is stapled to make a small pouch, or sleeve, but the natural connection between the stomach and the small intestine stays in place.
- A gastric band, tightened around the stomach, helps you feel full sooner, cutting down on the amount you eat.
To register for a free weight-loss surgery informational seminar, call 1-800-4BAYLOR and ask for Baylor Plano or register on-line.