1. Do not skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on
essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because
you feel hungry.
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
3. Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and
high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also
contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
4. Get more active
Being active
is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health
benefits,
exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet
alone.
5. Drink plenty of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger.
You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what
you need.
6. Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep
you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in
food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and
pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
7. Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you
choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a
particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.
8. Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat
smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to
gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes
about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and
stop eating before you feel full.
9. Do not ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss
plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them
more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you
stay within your daily calorie allowance.
10. Do not stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food –
such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead,
opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted
or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
11. Eat regular meals1. Do not
skip breakfast
Eating at regular times during the day helps
burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on
foods high in fat and sugar.
12. Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and
snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You
may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.