Dieting does not mean you have to eat like a rabbit. In fact, we believe the term diet should be replaced with being more healthy and eating intuitively well. Sounds better doesn’t it? Less depriving. More inspiring. All one really has to be mindful of when looking at improving their lifestyle – is getting the basics right for you and your body. If you’re starting to do the positives more than the negatives, you’re on your way. A slip up here and there isn’t going to be the end of the world so don’t feel guilty about it. Just get back on the healthy bandwagon when you’re ready and willing to give it 100% again. Or 75%. Whatever works for you.
What is important though, is that whatever your “diet” plan is – is that it’s sustainable for the long run. Otherwise, results will slow and plateau then stop all together and let’s be honest, that just makes all the effort you’ve put into your diet plan, a wasted exercise.
Keep these tips in the back of your mind when you’re looking at improving your diet plan, making your experience more positive and successful.
Meal replacements
The key to successfully losing weight and keeping it off is to make simple little changes to your diet and lifestyle that are sustainable and suited to you. Meal replacement shakes can be of benefit at the early stage of your new diet plan as they help simplify your diet – and from there, you can work on re-creating healthy and long lasting lifestyle habits.
Trusted and delicious meal replacement shakes are popular options, however, not all are created equal. A high-quality meal replacement shake must be nutritionally-balanced with protein, vitamins and minerals, contain fibre, be easy to make and again we stress, should be yum!
Food swapsies
Believe it or not, losing weight doesn’t mean cutting out complete food groups, sticking to grapefruit cleanses or depriving yourself of absolutely everything you love. There are some amazingly easy, delicious food swaps that will help you lose weight but, more importantly, help you sustain a healthier lifestyle. These switcheroos are an easy and surprising place to start.
Hello there beer! Bye bye cider
Swap cider for beer. A-ha! See told you dieting doesn’t have to be a negative experience. When it comes to weight loss, cider is one of the highest calorie beverages on offer. One standard cider (285mL) equates to 154 calories, whereas a mid strength beer only contains 59 calories. Like all food and beverages, everything in moderation and remember to drink responsibly.
Hot chips. Nah. Oven baked sweet potato chips…yeah!
How good are hot chips! Try making your own chips from sweet potatoes as it can result in 150 less calories and 168 mg less sodium based on a 100g serve. The sweet potato superfood status has been confirmed too. They are known to heal stomach ulcers, lower blood pressure and aid weight loss. Did you know a sweet potato has 28% more potassium than a banana? Now you do!
Salmon over battered fish – even though it’s higher in calories
When choosing fish, you might be surprised to learn 100g of salmon contains 23 calories more than 100g of battered flake. In this instance however, the higher calorie option is the healthier option and is more likely to result in long-term weight loss. Salmon contains more protein (by almost 10g), which helps you stay fuller for longer. It’s also lower in sodium which as we are aware, sodium causes fluid retention. Therefore, choosing lower sodium options even in fish can actually help you drop a dress size, as your body isn’t holding onto excess fluid.
Dieting definitely doesn’t have to be negative experience full of rabbit food, just remember to make simple changes to your daily routine that you can stick to more often than not. Get creative too and see what other food items you can swap that you will enjoy. Keep the end goal in mind as well! That is to feel better inside, not just look better on the outside.
