Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Eat your veggies!
Read this article about how to make any veggie taste great!
Great reasons for eating vegetables
Great reasons for eating vegetables
- Low in fat
- Low in calories
- Less water retention - low in sodium
- Fill stomach quickly - high in fiber
- Increased vitality due to high nutrient content
What stops you from getting 5 a day - Time, Money, Dislike All Fruit and Vegetables? Article from Weightloss Resources website
Lack of time for healthy shopping
Look out for canned, frozen and juiced fruit and vegetables. They are just as nutritious. Buying your fruit and vegetables in this way also means you have plenty to hand when you need it without having to spend time stocking up with fresh produce every few days. Healthy eating doesn't mean you can't make use of convenience foods.
5 a day is too expensive
Don't be fooled, you could find healthy eating better for your budget. Fruit and vegetables (excluding exotic / imported ones) are surprisingly cheap. An average banana costs 20p - less than most bars of chocolate / crisps from the vending machine - and provides more in the way of nourishment for less calories.
- Choose fresh fruit and vegetables in season, not only are they cheaper they will also be most flavoursome and at their best.
- Markets also tend to be cheaper than supermarkets, particularly if you catch them when they packing up for the day.
- Alternatively opt for supermarket branded tinned or frozen fruit and vegetables.
Dislike All Fruit and Vegetables
With such variety of tastes, it's hard to believe anyone can dislike them all. Also remember that tastes change as you age and therefore things you detested in your youth (like brussel sprouts...) may be a lot more palatable now! Try a different fruit / vegetable each week until you find some you enjoy.
Working Your Way to Five A Day
Make it a mission to start working to your five a day quota. Remember you don't have to include all five portions overnight - your body probably won't thank you for it! (A sudden change can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas). Also don't rush out and buy a heap of fresh fruit and vegetables - to watch it rot in the fridge / fruit bowl over the coming week! Build up gradually, make it a habit and remember each extra serving is a step in the right direction. Try these healthy eating tips for including more fruit and vegetables:
Healthy Breakfast
- Have a glass of 100% pure, unsweetened fruit juice
- Slice some fresh fruit over your breakfast cereal or toss in a handful of dried apricots / raisins
- Try a banana sandwich made with wholemeal / granary bread for extra fibre too
- Make a delicious fruit smoothie from fresh fruit. Or add some skimmed milk / low fat yoghurt for a more creamy consistency
Healthy Snacks
- Look out individual portions of carrot batons, dried apricots, raisins and grapes at the supermarket - grab these instead of chocolate / crisps
- Make some crudites - carrots batons, celery sticks, baby sweetcorn, asparagus tips - to enjoy with a low calorie dip
- Keep a piece of fresh fruit on hand - and ensure you eat it before you reach for high sugar / calorie snacks
Healthy Lunch
- Add tomatoes, cucumber, mixed salad leaves to your sandwiches
- Toss a selection of fruit / vegetables and salad leaves together for a delicious alternative - drizzle with a low calorie dressing and enjoy with a crusty wholemeal roll
- Make your own vegetable soup for colder weather
Healthy Evening Meal
- Try to include at least one vegetable with your evening meal
- Add sliced vegetables to stir fries and disguise grated carrot in homemade dishes
- Make a fresh fruit salad for dessert
Healthy Eating Out
- Order a pure, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice
- Request a side salad or vegetables instead of chips
- Order a fresh fruit salad for dessert
What is a Portion of Fruit and Veg?
- 1 apple, banana, pear, orange or other similar sized fruit
- 2 plums, satsumas, kiwi fruit or other similar sized fruit
- 1⁄2 a grapefruit or avocado
- 1 large slice of melon or fresh pineapple
- 3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables, beans or pulses
- 3 heaped tablespoons of fruit salad or stewed fruit
- 1 heaped tablespoon of raisins or sultanas
- 3 dried apricots
- 1 cupful of grapes, cherries or berries
- 1 dessert bowl of salad
- 1 small glass (150ml) of pure fruit juice
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Weigh In Tomorrow!
Don't Forget...
We will meet at Lorraine's house.
Hopefully there will be no crying!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
1 more week before weigh in....
HOw is everyone doing? Leave a comment below and let's get some chit-chat going.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Hello Ladies!
Well, we have all taken the first step to a healthier body by the end of march! I encourage you to use this blog as a means of encouraging one another by sharing tips you've found to work, favorite motivational articles, recipes you love or workout groups you are hosting. If you have info you want to share leave a comment to a current post or email me and I will post it separately as it's own. Check back often as I will try my best to post every other day. I will be sure to post any updates about the weigh-in here also. I love to cook, as a lot of you know, so be on the look out for healthy recipes I try out.
Good Health to all.....
:) Renee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)