"We encourage you to eat until you're full and snack before you get hungry"

Now, that piece of advice sounds like it could go really wrong, doesn't it? If you have an insatiable hunger, you might think it means you should eat and eat and eat. but, that's not the point they're trying to make here. That quote is from Dr. Arthur Agatston, author of the South Beach Diet. Now, I know I'm always preaching about the South Beach way of eating, and if you don't like it, I apologize. But, it just really makes sense to me, and it works for me! I never viewed it as "diet," but rather a lifestyle of healthy eating that includes whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and limited sugar intake.

If you eat a big meal of highly processed and refined foods, you'll feel satisfied for a little while, but your body will digest it quickly, and your blood sugar will take a big dip, and that's when you find you feel "hungry" shortly after you eat! Not good. But, when you eat quality, wholesome foods - i.e. whole grains instead of white, processed starches; nuts instead of potato chips; an apple with a little bit of peanut butter instead of a candy bar - you'll feel more satisfied for longer. And, if you snack between meals, you won't feel like you're "starving" when it comes to mealtime, and thus you'll be less likely to overeat.

And finally, when you eat healthy on most days of the week, you shouldn't feel guilty about splurging occasionally. Birthdays, holidays, parties... Have fun!