kenta's diet tips

• Drink a lot of water. A general trick to find out how much water you should be drinking daily is to divide your weight in pounds by 2. That number is how many fluid ounces you should be drinking! For example, if you weigh 200lbs, you should be drinking 100 fl oz (almost a gallon).

• Eat a lot of vegetables. I know you've probably heard this since you were a kid, but it's true! Veggies are a great source of vitamins and are full of fiber which keep you full and increase your metabolism. Think of colorful veggies like broccoli, asparagus, celery, eggplant, carrots, or sweet potatoes.

• Eat enough protein. Your protein intake should be about 20-35% of your daily intake, and come from many different sources. If you eat meat, aim for lower fat meats like chicken, turkey and fish. Vegetarians can focus on sources like beans, nuts, and eggs. If you have trouble consuming enough protein you can also consider low calorie protein shakes or supplements.

• Avoid high amounts of sugar. Sugar is high in calories and large amounts of it can lead to weight gain. Especially try to limit your intake of sugary drinks and processed sweets.

• Avoid processed carbs and bleached flours. I know this one can be tough for many people, but your body processes foods like white breads, pastries, and potatoes straight into sugar, which can then be stored as fat! Keep your carbs to less than half of your daily food intake and make sure they're coming from good sources such as whole grains, oats, quinoa, and beans.

• Try to avoid heavy meals or sugary foods 2-3 hours before bed. Your body digests food faster when you're standing, so if you eat a heavy meal and then lie down, it can be metabolized slower.

• Need extra energy? Try green tea. Green tea contains caffeine which can increase energy, as well as the antioxidant EGCG, which can enhance fat burning! It's recommended to drink up to 1-3 glasses per day.