Usually, when we hear the word “diet”, we automatically think of counting calories, eating salad, and being pretty miserable. In my opinion, this word is more about eating healthy, nutritious foods on a daily basis. We don’t need to go hungry just because we’re trying to lose weight!
So what does a balanced diet consist of? In my opinion, it’s all about eating foods that keep your metabolism running at a constant high level throughout the day, and allows them naturally drop in the evening. It’s really about eating right so that your body is continually fuelled to the best levels. This doesn’t mean eating salads all day – it simply involves thinking about when you should eat which foods.
My recommendations are:
– Eat complex carbohydrates earlier in the day to keep your energy levels up
– Try to eat protein rich foods within 4-6 hours of sleeping
– Watch your portion sizes – your stomach is usually about the size of your fist!
– Try not to go for more than 3 hours without eating at least a snack
– Drink at least 2 litres of water daily
– Aim to balance each meal with 50% Carbohydrates, 30% Protein and 20% Fat for ideal nutrition
– Try to eat foods with a low Glycemic Index (GI) as they keep the blood sugar level constant and minimize cravings
– Try to get 30 minutes of some form of exercise each day
I would strongly recommend that you keep these points in mind as you go through your daily routine as this will maximise the value of your diet. If you’re able to keep up with this over a period of time, you should find that you have more energy and your sugar cravings virtually disappear. This has definitely been my personal experience! Additionally, the pounds will naturally start to drop off without you needing to eat like a rabbit!
If you follow these guidelines, then I sincerely hope you find them as helpful as I have. At the end of the day, weight loss doesn’t have to be unpleasant! Conversely, eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to be about losing weight.
Eat well, eat happily, eat healthily, and don’t make this any tougher than it has to be.
Enjoy!