With spring in the air, there's never been a better time to assess and adjust the eating habits you've picked up during the cold winter months – especially if you're keen to shed a kilo or two ahead of bikini season.
Here are a few spring-cleaning tips to put you on track for your best summer yet.
Get back to basics
Rather than getting caught up in the latest diet fads, focus on the implementing the basics of good nutrition:
It's also worth remembering that there's no single diet that works for everyone. So, if you're aiming to slim down, consider a personalised weight loss plan that takes your lifestyle, taste, culture and health needs – food intolerances, allergies and other chronic conditions – into account.
Go with your gut
Recent research suggests that a healthy balance of good bacteria in the body may help to regulate weight and ward off a range of health issues. Probiotic foods – those that promote a healthy bacterial balance in the gut – should form an essential part of your daily diet and natural Greek yoghurt as well as fermented foods such as kimchee and sauerkraut are excellent options.
Eat after exercise
It's important to shed fat, not muscle, when you're trying to lose weight as this enhances your metabolism, encourages good health and gives you the toned look you're after. Eating post workout encourages your body to hold onto lean mass rather than burn it off for energy, refills the energy stores you've burned off and provides protein to the muscles you've worked so that they're able to repair themselves. If you plan to work out the next day, replenishing your energy stores also means you'll have the energy and strength to exercise intensely and burn more calories.
Spring Recipe: Healthy Baked Eggs
These healthy baked eggs easy to make at home, everyone will love them.
Serves 2 (Using 5-inch diameter ovenproof ramekins/dishes)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
½ medium brown onion
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ tsp chilli flakes
2 cups fresh baby spinach
200g canned crushed tomatoes
150g canned cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs
2 spring onions, chopped
Method:
Serving Size: 1 egg
Calories: 152.5 Fat: 9.3 g Protein: 12.2 g
Carb: 7.9 g Fibre: 3.7 g Sugar: 0.7 g
Sodium: 244 mg (without added salt)
To find out more recipes or nutritional information contact Mogestri, Elixr resident nutritionist, on 0414 650 515 or nutrition@elixr.com.au