The same goes for drinking more water. Even seemingly small changes require commitment. "Changing a pattern of behavior is complicated, and requires time and energy," Wolper said.
Still, it could be worth a try, she added. "Unless people overload on water, it's harmless, inexpensive. And if over the course of the entire day, it reduces the amount of food people take in, then of course it's a good idea," Wolper said.
Dieticians often will suggest a non-caloric drink such as club soda with lemon, diet soda or tea to help resist the urge to snack after dinner, Wolper said.
More information
The Harvard School of Public Health has more on eating a healthy diet.
SOURCES: Brenda Davy, Ph.D, R.D., associate professor, department of human nutrition, foods and exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.; Carla Wolper, Ed.D., assistant professor, Eating Disorders Center, Columbia University and research faculty, New York Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's Hospital, New York City; Barry Popkin, Ph.D, director, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, and professor, department of nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Aug. 23, 2010, presentation, American Chemical Society annual meeting, Boston
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