Lipsticks & Celery Sticks

Despite being deemed an edible enemy by the deluded world of dieting, we don't need to banish bread from our daily diet to drop a dress size. In order to ensure that you enjoy healthier sources, here are three fundamental facts to remember when resorting to this frequently feared and forbidden food... 1. Going wholegrain is best. Aside from containing complex carbohydrates (the type that provides a slow and sustained release of energy), wholegrains e.g.wholemeal bread, are bursting with up to 75%* more nutrients than their refined counterparts - this includes protein, satiety stimulating fibre and vital B vitamins to name but a few. 2. It's not sugar free. Despite being seen as a savoury food source, bread contains varying amounts of the sweet stuff with fruit filled loaves (think currants, raisins and sultanas) containing up to 8g* of sugar per slice. 3. Bread is bursting with salt. Although bread boasts numerous nutritional benefits, white and wholegrain varietie...

Sensible food swap... Swap: a pot of instant porridge oats. For: a pot of (golden syrup) protein oats by Oomf! Why: although tucking into an instant pot of porridge (oats) may seem like a sensible way to start the day, many breakfast based brands are bursting with an abundance of added sugar - the 'free' type that's largely linked to spiked blood sugar levels (hello mid morning munchies!), overweight and obesity.  By opting for a pot of Oomf! protein oats as opposed to a processed pot of porridge, you'll not only slash your sugar intake (a 75g serving of golden syrup protein oats contains only naturally occurring sugars, xylitol and a mere <1% of natural syrup flavouring as its final ingredient), but you'll also increase your intake of protein and fibre - two satiety stimulating nutrients that are associated with promoting a feeling of fullness, and aiding weight loss. Top tip: if you're tempted to add a tasty topping, opt for fruit (sliced banana...

Fast food for thought... The average dieter will turn to the internet for slimming support and solutions - an action that automatically exposes them to an abundance of appealing fads, fast fixes and false information that not only fail to lead to long-term weight loss (and maintenance!), but brainwash them into believing that in order to successfully shrink their silhouettes, they must favour so-called slimming shakes, supplements and self-starvation over the sensible and sustainable lifestyle changes that stem from adapting existing eating and exercise habits, the only effective way to eliminate excess weight without regaining it! www.twitter.com/celerylips

Are you mindful of every mouthful? With many of us leading a hectic lifestyle, finding the time to eat and enjoy our food in an environment that's free from detrimental distractions is fast becoming a thing of the past, but did you know that tucking into a plate full of food in front of the TV and technology is associated with a raised risk of weight gain as a result of overeating?  Yep, that's right, munching a meal mindlessly can not only leave us less likely to sense the satiety signals that stem from a satisfied stomach (the signals that cease an over consumption of calories by telling us when to stop eating), but it can also prevent us from experiencing the psychological pleasure that food promotes - a sensation that plays a predominant part in successful slimming and has a tendency to be triggered when we take the time to focus on our food by savouring the taste and texture of every mouthful, an action that can only be achieved when we munch our meals (and snacks!) ...