The abundance of food in the western world has made it very easy for us to consume more calories than the body needs to function on a daily basis. Usually this means that unused calories are stored in the body as fat. The presence of high levels of fat leads to obesity and other conditions including high triglycerides and high cholesterol. High triglycerides and high cholesterol especially are primers for serious cardiovascular and endocrine conditions. Many of these health problems can be prevented if we would simply limit the amount of calories we consume each day.

It has been established that in order to carry out its daily functions effectively the body needs about 2000 calories on average. Obviously, judging from our personal weights, we consistently consume way beyond 2000 calories in food daily. But what can we do to control our daily consumption? Well, here are some simple steps:

1. Make the decision. Yes you and only you can make the decision to control your caloric intake. If you are unable or unwilling to take this first step then you will always fall victim to the temptations around you.

2. Analyze everything you eat to determine the amount of calories each item contains.

3. Eat 4 – 6 small meals a day consisting of no more than 4 – 500 calories each.

4. Eliminate foods that increase calories but decrease nutrition. The prime candidates here are those sweet sugary stuff like cakes, pies, candies, sodas and juices.

5. Eat foods that are high in fiber. High fiber foods are generally low in calories and very filling. So you don’t have to eat very much to feel full.

6. Drink 1 – 2 liters of water each day. In addition to filling you up and adding o calories, water also cleanses the body and serves as a diuretic.

7. Increase the amount of vegetables you include in your diet. Vegetables add bulk and they are rich in antioxidants.

8. Stay away from fast food restaurants. Fast foods are murderous to any attempt to control caloric intake.

9. If you drink alcohol cut it out. Alcoholic drinks have no nutritional value and are jammed pack with calories.

10. Remain focus and committed. Remember this is your body and only you can legally determine what happens to it.

Cutting calories is not easy but it can be done if we are committed. The steps outlined above are just some of the thing you can employ to help you reduce caloric intake. It is not uncommon for persons who continually consume excessive amounts of calories to develop coronary heart disease and other similar ailments. Therefore every effort should be made to control the amount of calories we consume daily.