You eat a healthy breakfast, you pack a good-for-you lunch, and then . . . you spend the rest of the day snacking. Sound familiar? If you can't seem to stop noshing throughout the workday, follow these simple tips to stay satisfied while keeping your nutrition on track.

• Make your meals count: If you aren't eating enough for breakfast and lunch, extra afternoon snacking is inevitable. Be sure to include plenty of protein and filling fiber in your morning meals so that you can skip the mindless munching later on. A simple switch to fiber-rich steel cut oats rather than sugary cereal will help. Check out these other simple ways to add more protein and fiber to your breakfast.
• Consider water your new best friend: You need to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated — otherwise, you may end up confusing dehydration with hunger. Amp up the flavor and give your H20 an extra-healthy boost with these detoxifying water add ins, like mint and ginger.
• Listen to your body: Before you head to the office kitchen, ask yourself if you're actually hungry. Are you just bored or anxious? Are you busying yourself to avoid a difficult work project? If that's the case, try switching gears, tackling a new task, or walking around the block for an invigorating change in scenery.

All that being said, if you do find yourself feeling hungry between meals, here are a few guidelines for healthy snacking: keep your picks under 200 calories, use the snack to fill missing nutrients in your diet — like yogurt for calcium or citrus fruits for vitamin C — and make a point to pack your own snacks rather than settling for the office sweets.

Planning to indulge in a few festive sips for Cinco de Mayo? Before you toast with your pals, take a look at the nutritional content for these classic fiesta cocktails. Some of the picks aren't traditional Mexican drinks, but we've included a few Spanish and Latin sips to cover all the calorie bases. Whether you consider yourself a margarita enthusiast or more of a Corona type, you'll be able to sip smart thanks to our cocktail calorie breakdown.

Get it after the break!

You may think you're right on track with your fitness regimen, but if you're not seeing the results you expect, these surprising bad habits may be to blame. Sure, there's something to be said for a steady schedule, but do you remember to switch it up every once in a while? From unreasonable goals to dull solo workout sessions, here are four bad patterns to avoid if you're hoping to improve your fitness routine.

• You make unrealistic gym plans: If you don't have the time or physical energy to run for an hour, then don't try to force it. Remember that every little bit counts and making yourself do too much can be the quickest way to get injured — or make you give up altogether.
• You only exercise solo: Including friends in your fitness routine can be a great way to stay motivated. Not only will they keep you accountable, but they can also share tips and tricks of their own. Hesitant to reach out? Learn the benefits of a workout buddy and ask pals to join your plan.
• You stick to what you know: Stepping outside your comfort zone and surprising your body with new, challenging exercises helps you to break through plateaus and stay in shape. It's important to mix up your fitness routine: fresh workouts keep you from getting bored, and you'll have the chance to work different muscle groups for a well-rounded routine.
• You ignore hunger signals: If you don't properly fuel your body, you won't be able to push it during tough gym sessions. Learn what to eat (and when) before working out so you have plenty of energy to maximize your fitness potential.

Do you have any tips for a successful fitness program? Share them in the comments below!

Sometimes — especially during bikini season — plans come up at the last minute, and you wish you could feel thinner in a snap. While there aren't any instant fixes, there are definitely a few ways to feel leaner fast. If you're hoping to get slim quickly, follow these five steps to feel better by tomorrow:

1. Skip the salt: Avoid that puffy, bloated feeling by steering clear of the saltshaker. Feel like you're retaining water? Try these tips to cut down on salt and choose seasonal Spring foods that naturally detox. That swollen sensation will be gone in no time.
2. Catch plenty of z's: If you're tired and dragging, you won't have the drive to exercise. Sleep deprivation also stimulates the appetite — ever noticed that you eat more when you're worn out? Avoid an unnecessary binge and stay energized by crawling into bed a bit earlier and getting a good night's rest. To help you have a restful night, check out these tips for getting quality sleep.
3. Get moving: A good sweat session can definitely help your body detox, but on top of the physical benefits, there's the immediate post-workout confidence boost. Whether it's a quick walk or long jog, fitting in some exercise is a surefire way to feel leaner.
4. Sip some H2O: Water does wonders to beat belly bloat, so swap out sodas and sports drinks for a tall glass of H20. Looking for some extra flavor? Toss in some sliced fruit or fresh mint to give your slim-down drink better taste without too many calories.
5. Cook at home: When you dine out, it's tough to know exactly what's on your plate — not to mention the heaping portion sizes. Do your body a favor by stepping into your kitchen for a home-cooked meal. That way, you're sure of which ingredients are used, and it's easier to stick to smaller portions.

If you regularly get the munchies between meals, but can't seem to quit the afternoon cupcake habit, it's time to make over your snack routine. Whether you're into midday treats or late-night noshing, here are five simple ways to improve your snack selections:

Be a Savvy Shopper
How and when you navigate the grocery store can have a major impact on your eating habits. Bring a full grocery list and shop soon after you've eaten. If you head out when you're hungry, you'll end up grabbing unhealthy foods you'd otherwise avoid. Here are five healthy grocery shopping tips to follow.

Contemplate Your Kitchen Arrangements
If the potato chips are out on the counter and fruit is hidden in the fridge, guess what you'll reach for? Make it easy on yourself by keeping healthier snacks in an easy-to-reach place. When it comes to more indulgent picks, stow them away in a drawer or on a higher shelf. That way, you'll have to make a conscious effort to grab them, which means an extra second or two to consider your options. Learn how to organize your kitchen for healthy eating here.

More healthy snack tips after the break!

If you tend to feel bored at the gym and spend more time watching the clock, these easy tricks are sure to boost your motivation. Whether you're just beginning a bikini-ready plan for the Summer or consider yourself a seasoned gym rat, here are 11 simple ways to fire up your indoor workouts:

1. Vary your machines: If the treadmill is your best (and only) friend, it's time to switch things up. Try the seated row, the stationary bike, the elliptical, or a mix of all four to keep your body guessing.
2. Head for the hills: Ward off repetition by changing the incline regularly. The best part? You'll tone your muscles and burn extra calories.
3. Direct your thoughts: If you can't stop thinking about how bored you are, try coming up with a new focus for every minute or mile. Plan your future wedding, imagine a dream home, or brainstorm your favorite songs and movies to distract yourself.
4. Alternate weights and cardio: Rather than following a full strength workout with a long bout of cardio, mix up the two. Not only will you stave off boredom, but you'll also give your metabolism an extra boost from the intervals.
5. Change your listening habits: If you're sick of your workout playlists, why not try an audiobook? What about a podcast? If you prefer something with a fast tempo while you run, reserve audiobooks and podcasts for incline walks or cool downs.

Keep reading for more boredom busters.

Some of the healthiest foods are high in calories, so it's important to learn the correct serving sizes before you go overboard. Can't resist extra guacamole? Love to munch on spoonfuls of nut butter? Check out the recommended portions and try to tweak your habits accordingly:

• Avocado: Sure, avocado is full of good-for-you fats, but you should stick to eating just half of the fruit (114 calories) to avoid overload. Quick tip: cut avocados width-wise (pictured here) so that when you store the second half, there's less surface area exposed that might brown.
• Whole grain pasta: When it comes to carbohydrates, complex is certainly the way to go. With extra fiber, protein, and vitamins, they're a crucial part of any diet. But a full plate of whole grain pasta? Not your best bet. Learn what serving sizes look like so that you can eyeball it on your own, and keep in mind that a 1/2 cup of dry whole grain pasta is around 200 calories
• Energy bars: Although they shouldn't replace meals too often, that's what most energy bars are meant to do — a single bar can contain up to 300 calories, after all. They're convenient and usually healthy, but it's smart to study labels and scrutinize ingredients. That way, you'll recognize which bars are healthy snacks versus those that should be eaten as meal replacements.
• Yogurt: Creamy yogurt packs a great protein punch, plus a healthy serving of calcium. Not so nutritious? The ones with lots of added sugars. Stick to one cup of yogurt to keep sugar intake in check and calories right around 150.
• Wine: Yes, red wine has health benefits, but that doesn't mean you should empty an entire bottle; one glass of the heart-healthy drink will set you back about 123 calories. To reap the benefits without hurting your health, pour carefully and steer clear of giant goblets.

Keep reading to learn more proper portion sizes.

Salads are a great meal option when you're trying to lose weight, but calorie-packed toppings can make your "smart" choice an unhealthy pick. Hoping to get lean by beach season? Stick to your slim-down goals by substituting nutritious add-ons for the most common topping offenders. Make these simple, health-conscious ingredient swaps to boost your salad's nutrition without sacrificing flavor:

Instead of . . .

• Candied pecans, choose almonds: When it comes to crunchy toppings, avoid excess sugar and calories by skipping candied options and going for toasted, unsalted nuts instead.
• Cheese, try avocado: Craving something smooth and creamy? Choose ripe avocado over cheese to get the same smooth texture with healthier, more satisfying fats.
• Dried cranberries, pick pomegranate seeds: If you like to add some sweet, tart flavor to your salads, try pomegranate seeds, a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, they're a great topping with plenty of health benefits.
• Bacon, add edamame. When you're considering different protein picks, swap out salty bacon for filling edamame. By choosing the soy beans, you'll steer clear of unhealthy fats while still filling up on some substantial protein.
• Croutons, toss in seeds: Hoping to add a bit of crunch? Pass on croutons — and a handful of empty calories — in favor of vitamin-rich pumpkin or sunflower seeds, which also contain some protein.

The bottom line: when you choose the right toppings, salads can be a healthy, satisfying meal that's easy to throw together. Still, it's important to consider the nutritional quality of your ingredients before you toss them in. Otherwise, you may be eating extra calories that won't leave you satisfied.

You may think your diet is right on track, but do you know how much fat, sugar, and salt you should be eating on an everyday basis? In honor of National Nutrition Month, we're taking a look at the dietary guidelines for some of the sneakiest health spoilers. Learn the recommended daily intake for fat, sugar, and salt based on a 2,000 calories-per-day diet and try to adjust your habits accordingly:

• Fat: The American Heart Association suggests that people consume 500 to 700 calories from fat each day, somewhere between 56 to 78 grams (or 25 to 35 percent of your total daily calories). Don't think of fat as the bad guy, though. Instead, try to eat more healthy fats, found in foods like nuts, avocado, and olive oil. You should also limit your saturated fat intake to less than 16 grams and keep unhealthy trans fats to less than two grams per day.
• Sugar: It's recommended that women eat 100 calories from added sugars each day, just five percent of their daily diet. Wondering what 100 calories of sugar looks like? About six teaspoons. That may seem like a lot, but sugar tends to turn up in some surprising sources, like bread and yogurt, so educate yourself on the sweet culprits and learn how to cut back on sugar. Since nutrition labels list both naturally occurring and added sugars, check the ingredient list for a more detailed account of which kind of sugars a food item may have; anything containing fruit or dairy will contain natural sugars.
• Salt: The recommended daily intake of salt is 1,500 milligrams to 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon), depending on your risk factors. Less than you expected? The overconsumption of sodium is linked to high-blood pressure and a range of other health issues, so monitor your salt intake and follow these tips to limit sodium.

Scrutinizing the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in every food you eat isn't realistic, but it's important to learn the proper health guidelines so you can aim for the recommended totals. Not sure where to start? Try checking the labels on some of your favorite foods to kick-start your awareness and tailor your nutrition as needed.

Source: Flickr User Momentcaptured1