Losing Weight the Boring Way!

It's new year so here come the fad diets. Don't listen to them. Here's my top 5 tips for losing weight gradually! You will also have to exercise- Stephen Fry had a good idea with his walking listening to e books, I'm sure there's something out there you will enjoy! Just think of that dress you will be able to fit into next Xmas.

Breakfast
It is not always easy to eat breakfast in the morning but have a bowl of cereal in the morning and you will be less tempted to snack, get a big hit of both vitamins & minerals (many cereals are fortified with Iron, B vitamins & folate) and be more awake and productive in the morning (lots of research show kids perform better at school if they have had breakfast- it is likely to be the same for adults!)

Fruit & Vegetables
There are loads of different types, and loads of different ways of eating them. Whether they are fresh, frozen, dried or canned they are all rich in nutrients and must be the foundation of your diet. 5 a day is the target but in many other countries (think France where deaths from heart disease are less common) the target is 10! I know many people find it difficult to eat so many vegetables but you will really feel the benefits.

Carbs
Base your evening meals around either potatoes, rice, pasta, noodles or cous cous. They are all low in calories and filling. Try and alternate between them and vary the way you cook them so you don't get bored!

Nuts, Seeds, Peas or Beans
Eat a handful of nuts or seeds OR have a portion of peas or beans everyday. They are all excellent sources of fibre and nutrients. I know nuts are high in fat so are sometimes avoided by people trying to lose weight but they are good fats and we must all have some fat in our diet!

Water
Hunger is often mistaken for thirst so drink regularly. It doesn't have to be plain water and you don't need to drink 2 litres a day as you will get a lot from your food, but make sure you drink before you feel thirsty. There is a small but.... many drinks are surprisingly high in calories so check the label. I wouldn't suggest drinking anymore than 1 glass of fruit juice per day, and although smoothies are a good way of increasing your fruit intake they are also high in calories. Try adding water to half a glass of fruit juice to make it less calorific.