Healthy Weight Loss Tips to Combat the ‘Quarantine 15’

March 24, 2021

If you've gained some weight recently, I promise you are not alone. Shelter-in-place orders, closed gyms, stockpiled fridges, and a general sense of apprehension are just a few reasons why it is easier than ever to put on extra pounds. In fact, the New York Times estimates that the average American has gain 1/2 lb every 10 days over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic! So if you’re like us and hoping to lose your ‘Quarantine 15’ check out these 7 Healthy Weight Loss Tips:

1. Drink Water Before and After Meals

Did you know that drinking water can boost your metabolism by up to 30%? In fact, one study showed that drinking a half liter of water half an hour before a meal helped dieters eat fewer calories and lose 44% more weight compared to those who didn’t. We also recommend having a glass of water after dinner to aid in digestion and to help keep you feeling full and satisfied without adding excess calories.

2. Drink Coffee (or Tea)

High quality coffees and teas are usually high in anti-oxidants and have numerous health benefits. One of those benefits is a boost in metabolism that helps keep your hunger at bay. Just be sure not to add a bunch of high calorie creamer or sweetener! We recommend drinking your coffee black, and if you are one of many people who think that black coffee is too bitter or unpleasant try purchasing some high quality beans from a local roaster. You’d be amazed how good 0 calorie, black coffee can taste. We also recommend our own keto sweetener, AlluMonk, as the perfect low calorie and low carb coffee sweetener.

3. Try Intermittent Fasting

Have you tried intermittent fasting? By sticking to a window of eating time (for example, from 12PM-8PM) and fasting for the rest of the day, you can reduce your caloric intake. Intermittent fasting is a simple, flexible weight loss strategy that many find very effective. To learn more about intermittent fasting, different schedules you can follow, and other potential benefits, check out our blog post.

4. Cut Out the Sugar

Added sugar is one of the most unhealthy ingredients, and unfortunately it’s EVERYWHERE! Even a loaf of bread can have tons of added sugar. Thank goodness we are all lucky enough to live in a time when there are tons of new and delicious food and snack options that are nearly sugar free but still sweet and delicious. You already know that ChipMonk Keto Cookies and Bites have no added sugar because they are naturally sweetened with Monk Fruit, but explore your local grocery store as well for other low sugar foods. ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL!

5. Eat Fewer Refined Carbs

Refined carbohydrates include sugars and grains that have been stripped of their fiber and nutritional value. Foods like white bread and pasta are typically full of refined carbohydrates that can rapidly spike your blood sugar, leading to hunger, cravings, and increased food intake. In fact, diets with high refined carb intake are strongly linked to obesity ChipMonk desserts are made from almond flour with no refined sugars so they are naturally low carb, and there are also tons of new low carb products popping up at the grocery store every day. So we’ll say it again. ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL!

6. Count your calories

Nobody wants to hear it, but the only real way to burn fat and lose weight is by creating a caloric deficit, and the only way to do that is to regulate the amount of calories you take in. It’s generally recommended that we stick to 2000 calories per day or fewer, but results will vary heavily based on your weight and metabolism. By tracking your weight and caloric intake, you can find the right number of calories for you to create a slight deficit while still feeling good. Intermittent fasting can also help reduce your daily caloric intake without feeling hungry all the time.

7. Take is slow

We all want instant results, but healthy weight loss is more of a marathon than a sprint. Sure, you could starve yourself for a week and lose a bit of weight, but putting that kind of stress on your body and metabolism just isn’t healthy, and odds are the pounds will come right back as you revert to your original lifestyle. That’s why the best way to lose weight is with a small, steady comfortable daily deficit. Eat well, feel good, exercise, and learn to create a routine that supports a healthy weight and high energy levels.

Thanks for stopping by to read our 7 healthy weight loss tips. Please remember that we are bakers and not doctors, so nothing on this blog should ever be construed as medical advice. When in doubt, always consult your physician first. If you’d like more awesome keto and healthy lifestyle content, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our blog. And if you are interested in learning more about the low carb, high fat ketogenic diet, check out another one of our blog posts: ‘The Low Carb, High Fat Diet’