1. Eating on the Run
   Grabbing what is quick and easy because you’ve just changed your shirt for work for the third time, can’t find the teat for the bottle you’ve prepared for day care never mind your handbag as you run out the door is likely to be a big mistake. Let’s face it, those ‘quick and easy’ foods are very seldom healthy choices!
2. Finishing the Kid’s Food
   We all hate waste, but if you’re going to finish the food on your kids’ plates every night, you are adding calories onto your meal. Those last few crumbs in the chip packet, the last cookie and the left over soda may not seem like much until you add them up over a week. Rather put the leftovers in the fridge, or discard them altogether. It may seem like a waste – but rather that than another inch on your waist!
3. Eating what the Kids Eat
   While your young children may need full cream milk, you’re probably better off with low fat. Children have different nutritional needs to adults, and are usually a lot more active than we are. A good weight loss meal plan will tell you what foods to avoid and which ones you should eat to help you lose weight.
4. Going on a Fad Diet
   If you’re preparing meals for your family, a fad diet that has you living on nothing but grapefruit for days is going to be really hard to stick to. Rather try to find flexible weight loss eating plans that emphasise healthy food from different food groups. That way you can prepare a healthy meal for everyone and stick to your diet.
5. Eating when You’re Thirsty
   Often we eat something when what we really need is a drink. Try drinking a glass of water the next time you feel hungry – if you’re still hungry, have a healthy snack – but often you’ll find you were thirsty after all! Rushing around looking after children can lead to you not drinking enough water through the day too.

It’s not easy remembering all the rules, but stopping to think about what you are about to eat, and why, will help you stay on track.