WITH so much conflicting advice about which diet is the best your health and how to lose weight, it can be hard to know where to turn.
But diet guru Dr Michael Mosley – creator of rapid weight loss programme The Fast 800 – cut through the noise to offer simple tips on how to reform your diet and blast fat fast.
Die guru Dr Mosley suggested packing your lunch beforehand to stop you reaching for unhealthy options
The TV presenter and trained doctor who made the 5:2 diet famous, is a firm advocate of Mediterranean-style eating, as it focuses “less on eating the wrong foods, and more on eating the right foods”, according to his website.
He offered two simple tips to make your diet healthier.
1. Pre-pack your lunch
When you’re at work or on the go, buying yourself seems like the easy and convenient thing to do.
But Dr Mosley cited a 2015 study which found that when people are not at home, they’re more likely make ‘poor food choices’ and eat lower quality foods with higher fat and calorie intake.
He advised you anticipate this and make your lunch ahead, to ensure you’re sticking to your goals and making the best choices about your diet.
Dr Mosley said: “Pack your lunch ahead of time for a meal just as convenient, but without the negative effects.”
2. Make simple swaps instead of depriving yourself
“Quitting bad health habits cold turkey isn’t going to necessarily help you in the long run,” Dr Mosley wrote.
So if you’re craving some dessert after dinner, it’s no good foregoing it altogether.
Instead, swap out your usual sugary choice of pudding for Greek yoghurt and berries.
And if that chocolate bar is calling to you during an afternoon slump at work, Dr Mosley advised you go for nuts and seeds instead.
When it comes to your meals, he suggested switching out simple carbs like white rice and pasta for veggie alternatives, like cauliflower rice.
“Making some simple swaps can begin to rewire your brain, and help you to make this a long-term change,” Dr Mosley explained.
“There are plenty of recipes out there that are healthier alternatives to favourite junk foods if you’re struggling for inspiration,” he added.
Dr Mosley had some additional, non-food related tips to help you make sure you’re making the best food choices.
Firstly, he stressed that prioritising sleep was integral maintaining a healthy diet.
If you’re not getting enough shuteye, you might find it harder to resist unhealthy food, he explained.
And if you often find yourself eating in front of a TV, Dr Mosely advised you switch it off until you’re done with your meal.
“Often we turn to junk food at a time of convenience or thoughtlessness, when our focus isn’t on the food itself but rather on a different task or activity, like watching TV,” he explained.
“Simply turning our attention to what and how we’re eating can make a big difference.”
According to the diet guru, eating mindfully can actually reduce food cravings and stop you reaching for ‘mindless snacks’.
He also advised you monitor your body’s reaction to certain foods.
“Try also noting how you feel throughout the day when eating high-sugar and high-fat foods, and see if there is a correlation between how sluggish you feel, or how your moods fluctuate.”
Dr Mosley recently shared which three fruits you should avoid if you’re trying to lose weight – and which ones you should opt for instead.
He also gave tips on which foods to swerve at breakfast – your cereal might be doing your body more harm than good, he revealed.
Meanwhile, nutritionist Graeme Tomlinson claimed you could lose a stone if you implemented his five tips for just a day.