Y
ou are what you eat, so the saying goes and with true aplomb most of us will be expecting to sprout wings and commence a dull warble
having consumed considerable amounts of turkey over the festive period.
Obviously it is not meant to be taken that literally and I am certain I will not be growing any wings (or doing too much warbling), but for most FOODLOVERs our built-in craving to eat well is often indulged at the expense of eating healthily.
The Christmas period epitomises that indulgence and so as the new year kicks in we are bombarded with unhealthy statistics about how we should eat less and eat better. This is all well and good but the majority of people find it difficult to switch instantly from oval plates piled high with roasted goodness to tea plates adorned with lettuce leaves. We attach emotion to our food, we cherish it and when it is taken away we yearn and crave it.
The key to getting back in shape is setting manageable targets and changing one’s lifestyle for the better. Gym memberships go through the roof in January and with good reason – it is difficult to lose weight sitting still. Activity is a key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle but from a FOODLOVER’s point of view, it is the change in diet that can cause the most stress. A healthy diet does not have to mean ‘rabbit food’. There are so many nutritional food options out there but intresting healthy eating does require thought. A healthy diet is a balanced one, the body supplied with all the fuel and nutrients it needs to operate at full
10 | THE WEST COUNTRY FOODLOVER
capacity. Try to avoid so called ‘fad diets’ as research has shown that while short-term weight loss may be positive, the long-term benefits are minimal as bad habits are quickly reintroduced once target weight has been hit. If you are looking for information the NHS Live Well website offers a wealth of advice on understanding food labels, nutrition, calories and your diet. It can all seem a bit overpowering but the main message is to think about what you eat. Don’t fret too much. If you have piled on a few pounds since you last looked and feel daunted at the prospect of forcing down a variety of low-calorie concoctions and potions, fear not as FOODLOVER has compiled some sensible tips and tastebud-tingling recipes that utilise some underused and healthy foodstuffs and will leave you feeling satisfied, not fighting the urge to indulge.
1
DON’T OVER EAT It can be difficult we know but if you are leaving the dinner table feeling ‘stuffed’, then you have
eaten too much. Try to make sure you can still function after eating!
2
UP THE ACTIVITY
Go for a walk, a quick jog if you are feeling brave or even get that bicycle out of the shed. For 18-64 year olds, 20-25 minutes of moderate activity a day can dramatically help your well-being according to the Government’s Department of Health Guidelines. Source: Department of Health Guidelines for Physical Activity in Adults, 18-64, factsheet 4
January
TIPS FOR A HEALTHY START TO THE NEW YEAR:
One Step at a Time, Please…
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