The beginning of the year is a time when projects, important decisions and wishes start coming alive. Giving up smoking, getting more active and losing weight are some of the most common New Year resolutions. In January we are at full speed, full of enthusiasm and strength, but losing weight is not that easy. People tend to do things radically, doing all kind of mistakes whilst hoping for quick results. You can stop eating, you can take pills or drink all kinds of teas, whatever works to make you lose weight… but when nothing works, you get frustrated and by March that enthusiasm is lost. Hunger is a state until you eat again; it is not a method for losing weight.

As a dietitian, I teach people how to eat well and become healthier, which by the way, is cheaper. So, why not start with a few simple solutions for everyday eating that will not compromise your day or your mental health? There is one thing you must keep in mind: if you choose seasonal foods over industrialized or pre-cooked foods you will be choosing food that is cheaper, healthier and nutritionally richer.

Here are a few tips to help you lose weight without changing your life:

• Eat Office Fruit! Eat them as a mid-morning snack or in the afternoon. If you do not get fruit in your office, buy it in a grocery store or bring it from home.
• Choose dairy products as skimmed milk or yogurts for breakfast or in the afternoon. They are healthier than any other soft drink or milk shake. Bring them from home if you can.
• If you do not have the time or the money to eat out, bring your own lunch. But please, bring more than a sandwich. You must bring something that will satisfy you until the afternoon snack.
• Consider bringing a vegetable soup, a whole bread sandwich and a fruit juice or pasta made with some vegetable or meat leftovers or even a salad with some meat, cheese and nuts.
• Please, get away from sugar. You don’t need it. Enjoy foods’ natural flavour.
• Do not let yourself get hungry. If you are starting to get hungry eat. It will be worse if you don’t.
• Eat before you go to the supermarket. If you don’t, you will buy unnecessary things!

Happy New Year,

Mariana Costenla

Dietitian/ Nutritionist

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 7th, 2012 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Office Fruit Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.