Jill Franks' healthy new year
Jill Franks, QVC's health and nutrition expert, shares her tips for healthy eating this new year.
"A third of people are heavier three weeks after they finish a detox or diet"
Forget dieting
'A third of people are heavier three weeks after they finish a detox or diet' says Jill. 'Healthy living shouldn't be a fad, it should be for life!'
After the indulgence of the festive season many of us look for a get-thin-quick plan and magazines are packed with new diets to try, but Jill is not a fan 'It's not a good idea to cut out any food groups, to miss meals or to starve yourself' she warns. 'The best way to lose weight is to have a long term strategy that you stick to. You need a balanced diet and regular exercise - and will power!'
A balanced diet
The idea is actually quite simple; stick to three full meals a day, taking in the right amount of carbs, protein and sugar to keep you healthy, and replace or moderate the fatty culprits.
'Try swapping fatty carbs like potatoes and white rice for healthier alternatives like sweet potato, bulgar wheat, flaxseed or whole grain rice' Jill suggests. 'For protein, chicken and fish, and a little red meat are fine, but go easy on fatty yoghurts and cheeses.'
How you cook your food is important too. Try steaming rather than frying - your food will be less calorific and retain more of its natural goodness.
Reduce sugar
'Processed sugar in tea or cakes and biscuits picks you up, and then makes you crash and feel awful' warns Jill. 'And it's bad for your blood pressure!'
While sugar can be a difficult vice to kick, there are alternatives. For tea and coffee use stevia, a natural, calorie-free replacement. And opt for foods with slow-release sugars like berries or healthy snack bars rather than cakes and biscuits.
See a nutritionist
Educating yourself is also important. 'I highly recommend paying to see a nutritionist' says Jill. 'They're not expensive and will help you create a proper long-term diet plan.'
Many nutritionists will recommend starting a food diary. This is an excellent way to keep track of your eating patterns and see where you're going wrong as long as you're honest about what you've eaten!
