Tag: caloriescount

Nutrition and Calorie Tips

‘Healthy’ day of snacks vs ‘I’ve blown my diet’

Dr Nancy P

It’s amazing how we categorise our food choices in to good and bad. 😇😈

Having a day where you snack on a fruit smoothie, some dried fruit and a handful of nuts leaves you feeling virtuous, on track and having had a great, healthy day! Whilst if you’d had a doughnut, Mars bar and a couple of chocolate digestives you’d likely be feeling guilty, like you’d ruined your diet and were off the wagon totally right?

Now obviously in terms of nutritional value the dried fruit, smoothie and nuts are arguably a better choice – some good fats, a little protein and lots of vitamins and minerals. But they are also high in sugar – and yes it’s fruit sugars, but frankly that makes very little difference to how your body uses and processes them – sugar is sugar!

In contrast the ‘bad’ snacks are high in fat and sugar and lower in vitamins, minerals and good fats and protein. And I know someone will point out they’re more ‘processed’ but honestly that makes very little difference – everything we is processed and that smoothie is just as processed as the doughnut.

So if your goal is to increase the nutrients in your diet and to eat more ‘healthily’ then yes the fruit and nuts are the way to go. But if you’re goal is weight or fat loss then you really need to stop and consider the calorie differences.

That day of ‘good’ snacks is well over 50 percent of most people’s daily calorie requirement. The ‘bad’ snacks are almost 500 cals less….

So if you were trying to lose weight then maybe the ‘bad’ snacks are actually not so bad…. and you certainly haven’t ‘blown’ your diet. In fact you can probably still have a balanced couple of meals (to get all those other nutrients in) and finish the day within your calories.

No food is inherently good or bad… they’re just food. They have different nutritional profiles and different caloric values and all are fine as part of a balanced diet 🤗

Enjoy! Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Calorie Cuts

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Calorie Cuts ✂️

When you’re trying to lose weight it’s all about being in a calorie deficit so finding ways to cut calories easily without leaving you hungry is the key. There are a few easy cuts you can make that you’ll barely notice.

# 1 Non-stick Pan

Cooking with oils can add hundreds of calories to a meal without really contributing much to the taste. So invest a a good non-stick pan and some light 1 cal oil sprays and you can cut those cals without even noticing.

# 2 Skip the condiments

Often we don’t even consider the calories in the sauces and dressings we have with our meals. Avoid these sneaky calories but skipping them or going for smaller amounts, or swapping for a lower calorie version. Things like balsamic vinegar, mustard and salsa are great options that are lower calorie but pack a punch.

# 3 Reduce liquid calories

We often forget the calories we drink but they can really add up – all the milk in coffees/teas, soft drinks, smoothies, and booze. Try swapping milky coffees for Americanos, teas for herbal tea, soft drinks for diet versions, and lower calorie alcoholic drinks (e.g. slimline gin and tonic instead of beer)

# 4 Fill up

Opt for more filling foods whenever possible whilst still being mindful of calories. Foods higher in fibre and protein will keep you fuller for longer (but read the labels and check the cals). A recent study found foods such as potatoes, fish, oats, apples and oranges, wholewheat pasta, beef, beans, grapes, popcorn and wholemeal bread kept participants fuller for longer so consider including these in your meals.

# 5 Alternatives

Find alternatives for the foods you like that taste good but have less calories. Swapping your normal ice cream for low calorie ice creams (like halo top) is one way, or swapping your dessert/snack to strawberries and 0% Greek yoghurt is another great way. If you’re a savoury fan opt for things like popchips instead of crisps, and low fat cheese for a savoury snack (e.g. lite mini babybel)

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Magic Celery juice

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Magic Celery juice 🥬

You may have heard of the latest super food trend of celery juice. According to social media celery juice is magic and can restore natural stomach acid production, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, improve autoimmune disease, starve bad bacteria, flush out viruses, balance your body’s pH, detox your liver, clean your blood, hydrate on a deep cellular level, eliminate migraines, reduce anxiety and panic attacks, and reverse brain fog, depression and anxiety – in just a week!

Apparently you have have the juice (no pulp) 30 mins before breakfast. So what’s so good about celery and is there any truth to it? Celery is actually very nutrient dense. It’s low calorie, high fibre, rich in vitamin C, K, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and folate. It also contains lots of antioxidant polyphenols – preventing cell damage, boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation etc.

But is there any evidence it can do everything these people claim? In short – no.

There is no published research supporting these health claims. If you like celery and want to drink the juice then go for it – even if it’s just a placebo effect, it certainly won’t do any harm. But it isn’t going to magically make you lose weight or cure all your ailments.

It’s important to realise that no single food in isolation can provide everything we need for optimal health. Celery juice may be something to complement an already balanced diet, but what about the fibre you’re missing when you juice it? The majority of the fibre is in the pulp that you throw away. A much better option would be to include celery as part of your daily servings of fruit and veg in a salad, or smoothies or cooked in casseroles, soups, etc.

At the end of the day all vegetables are good for you, including celery. If juicing it and drinking it first thing makes you feel good then go for it! If not then just eat it, or if you don’t like celery don’t eat it! There are many other vegetables and fruits that are high in phytochemicals and antioxidants eg brocolli, spinach, berries etc. So just choose the veggies you enjoy eating and have them!

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Brown carbs aren’t better

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Brown carbs aren’t better 🍞

Most people feel like they’re being healthier if they’re having brown rice, pasta or bread rather than white. However is it actually that much better?

White grain products have just had the outer layer of the grain removed – in most cases this doesn’t remove that much in terms of nutrition. In terms of calories both products tend to be the same, sometimes the white version is lower in cals so if you’re tracking your intake then it can be a way to cut some cals. But what about fibre I hear you cry? Well most brown rice for example only actually has 1 percent more fibre than white rice. If you’re already having a balanced diet then you’re better off simply choosing the one you prefer the taste of.

Now that’s not to say there are no benefits at all to brown carbs. Often the brown versions may have added extras that increase the nutritiousness e.g comparing white and normal brown bread reveals little differences in nutritional profile, but compare white with a seeded or granary loaf and you’ll find additional benefits from the seeds etc (good fats and more

Fibre). But of course this also means more calories. Increased fibre can help keep you fuller for longer as well.

If you do want to go for higher fibre options choose the wholegrain versions. Do bear in mind that words like ‘wholesome’, ‘seeded’, ‘multigrain’, ‘brown’ etc don’t necessarily mean wholegrain – there’s no legal requirement in the UK to have wholegrains in the product to use those descriptions.

Bottom line – check the labels and look at the actual fibre content. Ultimately if you enjoy the taste brown carbs then go for them – I happen to love the taste of brown rice regardless, but if you’re not a fan and were only eating them because you thought they were a better option then maybe go back to the white stuff for enjoyment and lower calories (in some cases) and just ensure you’re getting your fibre from the rest of your diet.

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Managing Cravings

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Managing Cravings 🍕

Food cravings happen for many reasons -stress, boredom, habit, hydration, hormones and blood sugar levels but are most common when intake is restricted or in response to feelings (postive or negative ones). So how can we cope with cravings when they arise?

#1 No Restrictions

When we make something off limits it can set you up to binge on it later. Allow yourself smaller indulgences  and plan it in. If you love chocolate work it in to your daily calories and enjoy it, rather than cutting it totally out for 5 days and then bingeing on it at the weekend. 

#2 Hungry or Emotional?

Real hunger tends to come on gradually, doesn’t have the urgency to eat “RIGHT NOW”, and means you’ll eat whatever is available. Emotional hunger comes on quickly, with an urgent need to eat “NOW”, is often a desire for a specific food and leaves you feeling guilty. Take a moment, and if you still want that food, then eat and enjoy it slowly and don’t feel guilty. 

#3 Real deal

When you really want chocolate no amount of alternative snacks are going to cut it, so have some chocolate, just plan it, track it and enjoy it! There are also some great low calorie options that can satisfy cravings just as well e.g. Halo top ice cream vs a tub of Ben and Jerry’s is a great way to have what you want and save 800 cals! 

#4 Be mindful

If you’ve been craving a glass or wine or chocolate all day, then when you have it take time and enjoy it. Be mindful, rather than stuffing it down in 20 secs as you walk in the door. Turn off the distractions and focus on enjoying the food or drink.

#5 Plan

If you crave pizza then plan in a pizza and movie night etc. Planning ahead means you can work it in to your calories for the week, makes it enjoyable and removes the temptation to just grab it on the way home. I ask my clients to log the cals in advance so they can then adjust their calories on the days either side to buffer treats.

#6 Alternatives

If you tend to crave sweet stuff then strawberries, pineapple, mango etc are brilliant options to give a low cal sweet fix with less of a sugar rush. If it’s savoury stuff you crave then flavoured rice cakes or pop chips are a fab option at a fraction of the calories.

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx