Is losing weight one of your new year’s resolutions? Following a fad diet, or being overly restrictive, will not help your achieve your long-term weight goals. Instead, taking simple yet sensible steps may help you lose weight without feeling deprived.

5 Simple Ways to lose weight

1. Don’t drink Calories

Sweetened beverages such as pop, juice drinks, coffee drinks and tea may satisfy your thirst, but give you lots of empty calories. What’s worse is that, unlike eating solid food, drinking liquid calories doesn’t make you feel full so you won’t eat less food afterwards. Simply cutting a can of pop a day can help you lose 15 pounds in a year! Diet or zero-calorie pop offers no nutritional values either – it’s just water added with artificial sweeteners and caffeine. Drink water instead. Carrying a bottle of water with you will encourage you sip it instead of reaching for sweetened beverages.

2. Snack Sensibly

Instead of regarding snacks as a treat in order to lose weight, regard them as a filler. Plan your snacks to fill the nutritional gap other meals may miss. For instance, if you do not eat enough calcium-rich foods at your three big meals, have a low-fat yogurt as snacks. If you do not eat enough whole grains, have a small whole-wheat sandwich. The key in your fight to lose weight is to plan your snacks ahead instead of letting your vending machine limit your choices. Good snack options include low-fat dairy, fruit, nuts, light popcorn and baked goods made with whole grains. In addition, don’t snack just because everyone else in your office is or when you have nothing to do in front of the TV; snack only when you are hungry.

3. Fill Your Plate with Vegetables

Vegetables, especially the bright colored and dark green leafy ones, are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants and will help you lose weight. They are also high in fiber and hence very filling. In addition, they are low in calories – good to help lose weight and trim your waistline. When you fill up your stomach with veggies, you will less likely feel the urge to binge on meats and other desserts later on.

4. Eat Breakfast

People often skip breakfast. Some skip it because they are often too rushed in the morning and have little time to prepare. Some people skip it as a measure to maintain or lose weight. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast regularly actually are more easily able to control their weight than those who skip breakfast. Often times, skipping a meal results in an increased total caloric intake than if we just ate more frequently throughout the course of the day.

5. Stop When You Are Full

Do you continue to pour gasoline in your car even though it is full? If not, why do so to your own body? Our body is capable of sending satiety signal, so stop eating when you are full. Don’t overeat for the sake of finishing the plate. If you feel guilty about wasting foods, simply doggie-bag it and save it for later.

Gloria Tsang, RD

Alumni: University of British Columbia – Gloria Tsang is the author of 6 books and the founder of HealthCastle.com, the largest online nutrition network run by registered dietitians. Her work has appeared in major national publications, and she is a regularly featured nutrition expert for media outlets across the country. The Huffington Post named her one of its Top 20 Nutrition Experts on Twitter. Gloria’s articles have appeared on various media such as Reuters, NBC & ABC affiliates, The Chicago Sun-Times, Reader’s Digest Canada, iVillage and USA Today.