Trick Yourself Into Losing Weight

For breakfast, you had chips from the vending machine. Half an hour later, you're munching on skittles. If you ate foods that you associate with meals--a hard-boiled egg, or a turkey-and-cheese roll-up—instead of snacking, you'd feel full longer and be more inclined to lose unwanted fat.

A recent study, performed by scientists from the State University of New York, found that undergrads who labeled meals as "snacks" ate 87% more at dinner than those who ate identical 2:30 pm foods but classified them as "meals." If you choose items that you think of as meals--real foods, rather than treats--they'll more likely satisfy your appetite, and that can translate into weight loss.

Choose a 150-calorie mini-meal if you normally eat three substantial meals and two snacks every day; while a 250-calorie option is for those who usually spread their daily calories over five or six small meals.