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Last Updated on 1st December 2023
It’s not always easy to eat as healthily as we know we should. We all have the best of intentions, but sometimes all it takes is a tough day or a roommate telling you that they have a takeaway discount code for you to forget all about those big plans to sort your diet out. Although there is nothing wrong with the occasional treat, it is important to remember that a healthy diet is something that requires hard work, preparation and consistent effort. Here are a few tips for changes that you can make to lose a bit of weight and improve your health.
Cut Down On Alcohol
There have been a lot of studies over the course of the pandemic about how many of us have leaned a little too heavily on the booze. There have also been a lot of troubling reports about how that has turned into dependency and abuse. Even if you aren’t worried about how much alcohol you are consuming, cutting down or cutting it out entirely will help you lose weight. It will also lower the risk of serious health issues.
Find A Diet Plan With A Routine
One of the most effective ways to keep to a new diet is by having a clear plan, a routine that you can structure around your day. This is one of the reasons why meal replacement products are so popular: the good ones will offer different options depending on your needs as well as educational and community support. With a number of different brands out there, you want to make sure you make the right choice and discover the diet plan that is right for you. Shake That Weight offers lower-calorie products than their competitors and a lot of support options, and this is actually a cheaper option than other big-name brands.
Eat Meals With A Higher Starchy Fibre Carbohydrates
More than a third of the food you eat should consist of starchy carbohydrates, including potatoes, rice, bread, cereals and pasta. Wholegrain or higher fibre varieties are best such as brown rice and wholewheat pasta. Eating wholegrain or high fibre varieties are healthier than white or refined starchy carbs and they help you feel fuller over more hours of the day.
For each main meal, you should try to add 1 starchy food. Some people think that these foods are the reason why some people gain weight – carbohydrates provide fewer calories than fat to your diet gram for gram. When you cook or serve these types of foods, remember to keep track of the amount of fat that you add because it increases the calories of the dish.
Stop The Takeaways
We know that we already mentioned takeaways in the intro but this bears repeating. When the restaurants and cafes closed during lockdown, we all treated ourselves to more takeout than usual. If you are serious about losing some weight and living healthier, it’s time to put a stop to this. Obviously healthy takeout is exempt, but if your standard Deliveroo order is fried meats, pizza and chips, then you know what to do.
Eat A Lot of Fruit and Vegetables
Eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day is highly recommended. They can be fresh, frozen with skin on, canned or in sauces, dried or juiced. Getting your 5 A Day is easier than you may think – just eat a banana for breakfast and swap out your usual mid-morning snack for some fruit!
Drink Enough Water
Drinking plenty of water is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that drinking water can result in weight loss and help with weight maintenance, and it may even increase the number of calories you burn every day.
Drinking water before meals can reduce your food intake and appetite. This is important because drinking water instead of other drinks will significantly lower your intake of sugar and calories, which may be more beneficial to you in the long run. Regularly drinking water may also be linked to a healthier diet and decreased consumption of calories from beverages.
Eat Less Sugar
Find Snack Replacements
When you are working from home, it is all too easy to develop an unhealthy snack habit. The kitchen cupboard is right there, why not have a biscuit with that cup of coffee? While stopping snacking altogether may be tricky, you should think about swapping out that chocolate and crisps for healthier alternatives.
Dried fruits and nuts give you a satisfying blend of sweet and crunchy. Think about chopping up some crunchy veg the night before so you have some crudites ready to go if you get snacky. If you’re really struggling to quit the crisps, rice cakes and crisp bread are significantly better for you. Finally, make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Water naturally suppresses your appetite and it helps your metabolism to work faster.