by Christina Swigart, Licensed Nutritionist

Already thinking of your post-holiday game plan for weight loss? Does it include cutting way back on calories and killing yourself at the gym? As a nutritionist, I am asking you to take a moment and really think about your plan. Is it something you try year after year with less and less success? How do you feel doing it? Does it give you good energy? What happens to your cravings? How long do you really stick with it?

So often, we focus on calorie reduction for weight loss because we are told metabolism comes down to calories in, calories out. People need to understand that this is really a myth. If you are eating 500 calories of carbohydrates at a meal you are going to be storing a lot more fat. However, if those 500 calories are a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, you could actually burn fat!

At age 38, I had such anxiety, fatigue and muscle pain that I felt like I was in a dark hole and couldn't find my way out. I worried that if I felt like this at 38, how would I feel when I'm 70? After an individual consultation, Wendy created an eating plan that completely worked for me. In one year, I went from feeling desperate to feeling healthy and was able to get off most of my medications. Sure, it takes work and self discipline, but what's your health worth? Unless you look at how you eat, you don't get to the core of the issue. The issue is simple: change how you eat. - Kristy

Listen to Dishing Up Nutrition on Saturday, December 29th at 2:00 pm to hear more tips tips from Dar and Wendy on FM107.1 as they talk about alternatives to low fat and low calorie weight loss plans.
If you miss the show, listen to a rebroadcast on AM950 Saturday, January 5th at noon or download it anytime off our website.

Here's a great recipe that will keep you warm on these cold days. Best of all it's easy to make and even tastes better as left overs.