Healthy eating tip 3: It's not just what you eat is how you eat

A healthy diet is about more than the food on your plate: it is also the way you think about food. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to eat in between meetings or on the way to take the kids.

* Eat with others whenever possible. Eating with other people has many advantages, especially for the social and emotional development of children and allows you to model healthy eating habits. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless eating well.
* Take time to chew your food and enjoy eating. Chew your food slowly, enjoying every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to taste the flavors and feel the texture of our food. Reconnect with eating pleasure.
* Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body it has enough food, so eat slowly.
* Eat breakfast and eat small meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can boost your metabolism, and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (not the standard three large meals) keeps your energy and your metabolism will be.
* Avoid eating at night. Try eating dinner early in the day, then fast for 14-16 hours until breakfast the next morning. Preliminary studies suggest that this simple adjustment eat only when you are most active and give your digestive system a long break each day can help control your weight. After dinner snacks tend to be high in fat and calories are best avoided as well.