Tag: healthy foods

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday tip: Portion Control

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday tip: Portion Control 🥗

Portion control is super important for healthy eating and long term, sustainable fat loss but it’s one of the hardest things to master. Here are a few tips to help you naturally control portion sizes and develop healthy habits.

# 1 Aim for 50/25/25

Start by filling your plate half full of veg or salad, then a quarter with protein and the remainder with whatever starchy veg or carb you’re having (potato, rice, squash etc).

# 2 Set aside leftovers

If you plan to eat some for lunch tomorrow etc then set it aside at the start rather than after – that way you won’t be tempted to keep picking after you’ve eaten your portion.

# 3 Share

When you’re out at restaurants or cafes consider sharing with whoever you’re with. Portions are usually massive at restaurants so it can easily feed two, especially with things like potatoes or chips.

# 4 Smaller plates

Lots of studies have shown that eating from smaller plates leads to less calories being consumed (even when subjects are allowed to top up the plates). So choose side plates and small bowls to trick yourself into eating less. We’re conditioned to clear our plates, even when we’re already full, so this way you can clear your plate and not over eat.

# 5 Take a whiff

As well as our eyes our noses are heavily linked to feelings of satiety. Take time to smell the food you’re about to eat – breathe in the scent and savour it. Studies have shown this helps to limit the number of calories consumed by tricking your brain in to thinking you are more full than you are.

# 6 Don’t eat from the bag

Put your food or snacks out on a plate before eating then, rather than eating from the bag. Visually seeing your what you’re eating sends a message to the brain about the quantity you’re consuming and leads to less likelihood of overeating.

# 7 Put away distractions

When you’re eating focus on eating. If you’re distracted by TV, phones, etc then studies have shown you’re likely to over eat. Pay attention to what’s going into your mouth and you’ll be better able to recognise when you’re full and stop before you overeat.

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx

Recipes

Valentine’s Vanilla, Berry and Chocolate Porridge

Dr Nancy P

As it’s the season of love I thought I’d celebrate with something I love… porridge! This makes a great brekkie or lunch option. The protein powder is optional but adds the vanilla flavour and also the added protein helps to keep you fuller for longer. My current favourite protein powder is Missfits Vegan Vanilla powder – super yummy and available from amazon and Ocado (and other places!)

I make my porridge with water because I prefer it that way but obviously use milk if you prefer. I have used some yummy little protein chocolate hearts from Cocoa+ but you can use any chocolate you like! It would work well with some squares of dark chocolate

This comes in at approx 415 cals of warming yumminess!

You will need:

50g jumbo oats

Large handful of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional – replace with a 1/4 tsp Vanilla essence if not using)

3 Chocolate hearts or squares

Place the oats in to a saucepan with the protein powder. Add enough water to cover (I like my porridge quite dry so adjust the amount of water to suit you) – heat gently and stir well. If I’m rushed I just pour boiling water on to the oats and protein powder, stir and add a little extra water then blast in the microwave for a min.

Once it starts to cook add in the blueberries and raspberries and stir in.

Slice the strawberries. Once cooked pour the porridge in to a bowl and add the strawberries and chocs on the top.

Enjoy!

🙂

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday tip: Taming post-workout hunger

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday tip: Taming post-workout hunger 🍕

Do you find you’re famished after a workout? It could be down to the type of workout you’re doing. A recent study in The International Journal of Obesity found that strenous interval training dulls the urge to splurge. Participants who did high-intensity intervals were less hungry afterwards than people who spent the same amount of time on the treadmill or cycling at a steady rate. 🚴🏼

Why? Bursts of high intensity, hard effort actually helps to suppress the appetite as it decreases the production of the hormone ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and also increases the levels of blood lactate and glucose which reduce the desire to eat lots. In contrast, steady state, moderate intensity exercise can reduce blood glucose levels and suppress grehlin which makes you hungry. This is also the classic ‘runger’ that runners get!

So if you’re trying to watch what you eat consider focusing on shorter bursts of higher intensity workouts – either in the gym or in a class (HIIT, insanity or Bodyattack are great examples). If you love your longer runs or steady cycles etc there’s no need to stop them, just make sure you fuel yourself properly to prevent that post workout need to stuff your face! Have something with protein, fats and carbs before you do your workout – e.g. something like peanut butter on toast, and then try to get something in shortly after your workout that’s easily digested but high in protein and carbs – if you like it something like chocolate milk (normal or dairy free) is a fab option. If you want any specific tips for your own recovery then do drop me a line 🤗

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday Tip: Don’t Detox

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday Tip: Don’t Detox 🥗

Across social media people are peddling “detoxes” and “cleanses”. We’re told our bodies are full of toxins, and if you follow plan X / buy the pill/tea/shake you’ll get rid of them and feel/look amazing. You don’t need it, your liver and kidneys do a great job of “detoxing” you, and these products can make your health worse. But they sell them because WE want them; why?

#Post holiday detox

Over holidays we eat and drink more, so we crave simple, nutrient dense food – like salads. Physically it feels good, and psychologically it feels good to; drawing a line under all the junk. This sort of “detox” isn’t silly, it’s just a word we use to say “lets get back to eating well”

#Bloated

Over-indulging, or eating certain foods makes you bloated; rich foods, alcohol, beans, fizzy drinks, or foods high in salt, certain starches and sugars. If it’s a chronic issue see a Dr. If you’ve been eating lots of salt you will retain water, making you look and feel bloated, reduce the salt for a few days and you’ll be fine. Overdo the food and drink? You don’t need to do anything just eat normally for a few days.

#Bunged up

If you’ve been eating badly you may be constipated. Most detoxes /cleanses are laxatives, which can permanently damage your intestines. So first of all, increase water and fibre intake, then increase fruits, veg, and whole grains, but do it gradually; a sudden fibre increase can make you feel worse. If that doesn’t help, see a Dr, not a Facebook detox salesman.

#Fatloss detox

No, just no. A pill/shake won’t do that! Sometimes just buying something special is a powerful psychological message that you’re making a change and acts as a kickstart; which is why we fall for it. Sadly it won’t last, and you’re left out of pocket and likely to rebound. The more radical approach to losing weight, the more likely it is to fail. Slow and steady wins the race; make small, sustainable habit changes and you’ll reap the rewards.

It’s normal to want to reset, feel better and make changes, but you don’t need a “detox”. Just try to get some sleep, drink more water, eat veg and get moving. You’ll look and feel far better for it!

Happy Tuesday 🤗xx

Tuesday Tip

Tuesday tip: Watch Those Swaps

Dr Nancy P

Tuesday tip: watch those swaps 🥦🥛

Food fads and ‘healthy’ swaps are all the rage but they may not always be the best option for you and your gut. Sometimes too drastic a cutback or too dramatic a switch can result in GI issues such as bloating, constipation or abdominal pain — or exacerbate pre-existing GI issues. Here’s a few common swaps you may want to rethink.

#1 Cauliflower for Carbs

We’ve all heard of cauliflower rice or pizza crust and whilst it does reduce carbs (and calories) it’s also high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP). These can cause gastrointestinal distress, gas and bloating. Instead stick to white potatoes – full of energy, soluble and insoluble fibre and low FODMAP.

#2 Non-dairy milk

There is nothing wrong with non dairy milk in itself but it lacks the probiotics our gut needs. So if you’re not allergic to dairy then try to have some yoghurt or kefir as well which contains live active cultures. If you are sensitive to lactose these may still be an option for you as the cultures break down the lactose before it reaches your intestines. If you’re vegan then consider going for a probiotic supplement or foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh etc.

# 3 High fat in place of carbs

Keto is all the rage with people ditching carbs for protein and high fat foods. But this can cause both diarrhoea or, due to low fibre, constipation. So just go a bit easy – have half an avocado not a full one, add a little coconut to smoothies rather than 2 tbsp of coconut oil etc. And get lots of fibrous veggies in too.

#4 Sugar alcohols

Sweeteners such as erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol are used to sweeten foods with less calories and impact on blood glucose levels. But these sugar alcohols can cause gas, bloating and diarrhoea. You may be better off simply using less sugar and adding spices (ginger, cinnamon etc). Studies have shown the difference in sweetness isn’t even perceptible with the spices.

Happy Tuesday 🤗

Xx