Saturday 25 January 2014

"The New Years Diet"



Well Christmas has come and gone, a month exactly to this day. We have all embraced and welcomed the New Year into our lives. A new year always brings change and the biggest one has to be “the diet”.  We all want to lose those extra kilos we gained whilst indulging ourselves in tasty treats over the Holiday Season. But why should a diet involve starving ourselves or eating bland tasteless foods? Fortunately, it doesn't! Here are a few tips to drop those unwanted extra bits but still being able to enjoy our food experiences.

·         Enjoy a good nutritious breakfast. The worse mistake you could accomplish would be skipping breakfast. It is a vital routine of the day that kick starts our metabolism. An ideal breakfast would involve oats (porridge), natural sugars (honey) and a piece of fruit.
Or at the weekend it could be a poached or dippy egg with wholegrain/nut/seedy bread. Full of protein that releases energy. Avoid adding any extra fat!
·         Make lunchtimes fun and not dull. This could be done by enjoying a salad which doesn't necessarily have to involve soggy green leaves. Rustle up a fluffy couscous salad that’s jam packed with flavour and crunch. It’s great with dried/fresh fruits such as; sultanas, dried apricots and pomegranate. Add some crunch with the addition of dry toasted nuts/seeds such as walnuts or pumpkin seeds. Finally, for the feel of indulgence add a low fat soft cheese crumbled throughout. Tip: For pasta salads use whole-wheat- just as good but healthier!
·         Dinner time needs to be balanced, nutritious and full of protein. A balanced meal needs to contain 2/3 vegetables, meat that is low in fat (replacing chicken with turkey) and a small amount of carbohydrates. Tip: Replace regular potatoes for sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are not a carbohydrate but a vegetable. However, you still get the sensation of having a full meal.
·         Snacks: Make up your five a day by munching on your favourite fruit or vegetable.
·         Finally, a little indulgence here and there doesn't hurt. You don’t want to cut out all naughty’s as if you do it will drive you mad and you’ll end up going on a fast food frenzy!

Here are a few useful website’s that will help you create delicious but healthy meals: