Sunday 27 July 2014

The phenomenon known as the diet.

Eating & Living Well

It is a well-known fact that as the summer days approach a percentage of the population will start some sort of diet. Because we all want that “summer body”. Some of you may have already lost the weight for this summer and some may still be in the process of doing so.
Why is it we are so fixated on having these “perfect” bodies for the summer? Yet the rest of the year we’ll let ourselves go. Other than maybe after the festive season when we want to lose that extra belly fat. But how long does that New Year’s resolution really last?

The reason behind me writing this post is that I've actually been dieting this week with my family. My first “real diet”. So during this dieting process I have been doing some research in how to eat & live well.

Here are some (hopefully) helpful tips I have discovered:

Kick start the day with lemon and water. Drinking a glass of (boiled) water with the juice of half a lemon revitalises the body and mind as it is packed full of antioxidants- rich in vitamin C.
The pectin found in lemons creates a feeling of fullness which suppresses those cravings.

Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. If you want to eat a heavy meal then have it for breakfast as you’re going to burn the calories off throughout the day.

As you most probably know oats are great for breakfast as they’re filling. Oats contain natural sugars that when eaten are slowly released into blood stream, providing that energy boost you need.

Tip: Oats aren't just a heart-warming winter breakfast. They can be eaten cold too. Prepare ahead of time by soaking oats in twice the amount of milk. Add fruit (any you like), a squeeze of lemon juice (prevents fruit from browning and as noted above its good for you) and you’re good to go.

Note: Believe it or not but the size of your cereal can make a difference in losing weight. If you’re eating cereal with little flakes you’re more likely to fill more into your bowl. Whereas bigger flaked cereal looks like more so you’ll fill less into your bowl. There could be a 72 calorie difference between the two.

Lunch time is just as important as breakfast but doesn't need to be packed with heavy refined carbohydrates. If you’re going to eat carbohydrates have them at lunch time and opt for those that are unrefined such as; wild rice, wheat pasta or wholemeal noodles. Couscous and quinoa are healthier choices that seem to get forgotten about.

Cut out the amount of bread you’re eating, especially if its shop bought. Eating too much bread can cause problems to your digestive system.

Dinner time shouldn't put you into a food coma. Attempt to eat lighter meals in the evening by cutting out all starchy carbohydrates. Eating meat and plenty of vegetables will suffice. By cutting out those starchy carbohydrates in the evening you will feel less bloated/heavy in the morning.

Cutting out the excessive amount of salt & sugar that we consume. Most foods contain natural sugars which are good and are needed within our diet. However, processed foods are found to have unnecessary amounts of sugar in them as they’re used to bulk out the product. Our sugar intake is probably reached without us even knowing it. So if you’re having that sweet craving (like I do) have a go at making “sugar free” treats. A good example is banana and date flapjack. It contains no added sugars but tastes just as sweet from the natural sugars released from the fruit.

Snacking has become somewhat a habit of ours. As always it is recommended to snack healthy by eating fruits & vegetables. However, I recently discovered that it is best to eat fruits by lunch time due to the type of sugar in them. Avoid eating fruit in the evening as you don’t need the energy they provide before going to bed.

Exercise for me is a huge struggle. I have never been sporty, ever. But eating healthy and exercising go hand in hand. So if you’re like me and don’t play a sport or workout try opting for going on walks. If you can walk somewhere instead of taking the car, do it. Or take the stairs instead of the lift. Common little tricks that will help you get in the exercise you need.

So that’s what I have discovered. Some or all of it you may have already known, but if not I hope it was some helpful insight. I am not saying you should follow what I have found out (because even I will struggle to) but maybe these tips will help you feeling healthier, revived and/or energised.

Remember: Everyone’s bodies are different and certain things will work better for some than others.