Don't Be A Cow

Chefs beware, cooking does add the pounds to the waist line. I personally love to cook, but have a huge problem with grazing. Grazing is the sampling of food as one prepares the meal or one who niddles on food all day long.

The so called taste test on everything being cooked can be the equivalent to a small meal in the caloric department. For example, as I prepare spaghetti and meatballs I may taste test 3 or more meatballs before sitting down to have dinner. I may also have a slice of the garlic bread dipped in sauce so I can sample the quality of my sauce. By the time I sit down for dinner I have already had everything but the pasta.

One sure way to alleviate these extra pounds put on through grazing is to have our family members do the taste testing instead of us. Resist the urge to sample everything as it is cooking, grab a carrot from the fridge to hold yourself over until dinner. When you are starved before you even begin cooking you are more likely to over sample the meal you are preparing.

When trying to lose weight and even maintain your current weight, it is very important to be mindful of all the calories you intake. Don't just count the calories from mealtime. Even the smallest piece of candy you put into your mouth has calories which need to be accounted for.