You probably have heard that abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym. Diet and exercise plays a key role if you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Keep in mind that there is no diet that will do what eating healthy does. Skip the diet, just eat healthy.

Here are the top 5 tips on how to maintain a healthy weight

1. Skip processed foods, sugary drinks and sodas

Keep in mind that processed foods, sugary drinks and sodas are packed with high level of salt, sugar, artificial coloring, additives and preservatives. They have a lot of calories and chemicals that slow down your metabolism.

2. Eat fiber rich foods

Foods high in fiber such as fruits and vegetables are great and can fill you up and at the same time help you with weight loss. As they say a salad a day keeps doctor away. Keep in mind that keeping your body slightly alkaline is a great way in marinating a healthy weight and fighting many chronic diseases.

3. Eat organic whenever you could

Pesticide ridden foods have chemicals like endocrine disruptors that can screw up your metabolism and make you fat.  In recent study, participants who ate mostly organic food had 89% lower level of pesticide in their blood. Organic foods have lower level of pesticides and higher level of nutrients and can help you with weight loss.

4. Skip dining out and eat at home

You cannot control how much salt, bad fat, sugar or oil is added to the food outside. Eating mostly at home and eating wholesome nutritious foods can help to boost up your metabolism and give you better nutrients. By eating at home, you can control your method of food preparation and the ingredients you use.

5. Eat smaller portions and do not eat after 7 pm

Try to eat the entire day, but smaller portions thought out the day and skip eating big meals later than 7 pm.