1. Make those summer salads more interesting by sprinkling a small handful of mixed seeds on top. This will add the crispness of croutons, but with a lot less calories and fat. Seeds are an excellent source of essential Omega 3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, magnesium and trace minerals, such as zinc. A variety of seeds should be used to obtain different nutrients and essential fats – try pumpkin, sesame, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds (also known as linseeds).
2. It takes time for your body to adapt to eating less. To stop those hunger pangs returning too soon after a meal, eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly and concentrate on the food you are eating, not the TV! Your brain is more likely to register that you are full if you take your time. Make your meal visibly attractive by including different coloured foods, as they represent different nutrients, and give your health a boost at the same time.
3. Cut out the salt to help banish a bloated stomach this summer. Salt raises sodium levels in the body, which is bad for our health, so more water is retained in the body in an attempt to dilute it. Cut out those salty snacks and ready meals and don’t add salt to food or cooking. Nature provides adequate levels in the natural foods that we eat.
4. Avocados are a superfood, but people avoid them due to their fat content. However, the majority of the fats they contain are the ‘good’ Omega fats, which our bodies cannot make. Avocados are also bursting with vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin E, which can improve the condition of your skin and hair.
5. Start the day with a cup of warm water and a squeeze of fresh lemon. This cleanses your gastro-intestinal tract and stimulates you liver at the start of the day. Cold water can be a shock to the system, so make sure your water is always at room temperature not to upset your digestion.
