Beginning a low-fat diet should be a positive experience, since this will increase your chances of sticking to the diet long after you have attained your immediate health goals. Your initial decision could be based on a New Year's resolution, a desire to lose weight before the summer or because of a medical condition. Regardless of your reasons for starting a low fat diet, setting small, achievable goals will minimize the chances for disappointment. Instead, you will stay motivated and avoid exacerbating your health problems as you discard old eating habits and develop new ones.
The first step to starting a low-fat diet is to rid your pantry and refrigerator of the snacks and treats laden with fat. Toss leftover pies, cookies and seasonal candies and replace these items with healthy, wholesome choices. For instance, substitute foods that are high in fat with low-fat or fat-free foods like whole grain pastas, breads and grains. Be careful with portion and serving sizes, as a big helping can increase your fat intake even with low-fat foods.
Do not skip the most important meal of the day in order to minimize your fat intake. If doughnuts were your regular breakfast food, start eating whole grain cereal with low-fat or fat-free milk. Fruit and yogurt are also good choices and will stabilize your blood sugar level. As for the other meals, fish is a good ingredient to include in your diet because it is naturally low in fat. Try to eat fish one or two times each week, and plan a vegetarian meal once a week instead of the regular meat dish to further reduce your saturated fat intake.
Don't forget to exercise while you are watching your intake of fatty foods. Physical activity is essential to developing a healthy lifestyle, but you don't necessarily need to go to the gym. Burning calories is as simple as a brisk 30 minute walk. Talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise regimen, and make sure to set realistic goals. Staying motivated will keep you on track and increase your chances of maintaining your weight and your eating habits.