Bananas

Bananas are a good source of vitamin C and B6 (a lack of B6 in your diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia). They are also high in potassium - vital for proper brain function - and are a good source of cholesterol-lowering dietary fibre. Bananas make the perfect snack too because they are a low Glycaemic Index. This means they'll keep you feeling fuller for longer. And bananas are fat-free but do give you energy, with a medium banana (150g) providing 37kJ. Bananas should be bought free from bruises and will ripen quickly if purchased green. ideally, bananas should be kept at room temperature but they can also be stored in the fridge where the skin will darken, but the flesh will not be harmed.

Source: Slimming Magazine August 2003

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a veggie, but many people think it's a fruit because it's so sweet. It's a good source of fibre and vitamin C. Rhubarb can have a laxative effect, but in small amounts it can also be an anti diarrhoea agent because of its tannin. Stalks should be firm and crisp yet tender (not woody) and bright pink. Store in the crisper in a plastic bag and eat within 3-5 days. Only eat the stalks because the oxalic acid in the leaves makes them toxic. To prepare, trim away leaves and white ends from the stalks, wash and cut into short lengths. Try this recipe: stew rhubarb with apple, sultanas, cinnamon and brown sugar. Wrap in filo pastry and bake to brown. Serve with low-fat ice-cream.

Source: Slimming Magazine August 2003

Parsley

Parsley is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A and iron. There are two main types - common parsley, which has tight dark green leaves, and Italian or Continental parsley, which is fat, broader leaves, and a stronger flavour. Fresh parsley stands firm and upright and has a fresh aroma. Store in an airtight plastic bag in the crisper, or immerse stems in cold water and stand in a coo, , dry place for up to a week. To prepare, wash and shake it dry,m pick off leaves or cut finely. It enhances the flavour of soups, stew, scrambled eggs and is a great garnish. Parsley is also a key ingredient in tabouleh salad, which includes lemon juice, cracked burghul wheat, tomato and onion. Try couscous instead for an interesting change.

Source: Slimming Magazine August 2003

Did you know?

You should never defrost food at room temperature unless you want to risk contracting a dose of food poisoning. Thaw it slowly in the fridge, or in the microwave. if you use the microwave, make sure you plan on cooking it straight away, otherwise it could be at perfect temperature for bugs to grow.

Source: Slimming Magazine August 2003

Confused about kilojoules?

You may be eating well, but are you consuming the right amount of kilojoules? Use the table below to calculate your energy requirement to maintain your current weight - deduct 2000kJ to estimate your intake for weight loss. These are just estimates and if you are not losing weight, this means that you haven't lowered your intake below your energy expenditure. You may have overestimated your activity level or are eating more kilojoules than you realise. Try dropping your intake to the next level and upping your daily activity levels.

Women
Level of activity - energy requirement kJ/per KG/per day
Very light - 126
Light 146
Moderate 155

Men
Level of activity - energy requirement kJ/per KG/per day
Very light - 130
Light - 160
Moderate - 172

NB - Use the very light level if you spend a lot of time sitting, driving and/or childcare. Use the moderate activity level if you exercise daily as well as being active in your daily tasks.

Source: Slimming Magazine August 2003




I worked this out for me and it adds up.
66Kg x 126 = 8316
8316 - 2000 = 6316kJ
6316kJ * 0.24Kg = 1509 calories a day
Perfect!

"Nothing tastes as good as thin and healthy feels!"

Blueberries

Blueberries make a beautiful display and are often used more for their good looks than eating. But they are, in fact, a good source of vitamins A and C and they are convenient to eat as a snack because they're small and don't have to be peeled or sliced. Select juicy, plump blueberries with a fresh blue colour and keep them dry by storing in an airtight container in the fridge for a short time only. Try placing them on a cheese or fruit platter, adding them to muffins, smoothies or use them to top off a low-fat cheesecake or pavlova.

Source: Slimming Magazine September 2003

Peas

Most people buy frozen peas and, although there is nothing wrong with frozen veggies nutritionally, you really can't get much better than eating big, fat, juicy fresh peas. They are an excellent source of thiamine, niacin, vitamin C and a good source of fibre and iron. Select shiny, bright green and well-filled pods before they begin to wrinkle and lose colour. Keep peas in their pods until ready to use and store in the fridge crisper in an airtight plastic bag. Shell peas by squeezing the rounded end of the pod gently. The pod should split and the peas should push out in one movement. Serve them in stews, soups, stir-fries, raw in salads, or just simply boiled and served on the side.

Source: Slimming Magazine September 2003

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a type of sprout, with other varieties being bean sprouts, mung beans and snow peas. It's an excellent source of vitamin C and proves a healthy addition to sandwiches and salads. Choose springy or crisp alfalfa with a fresh smell and good colour as it can become toxic when eaten slimy, limp and brown in colour. Store in a well-ventilated container in the fridge for four days to a week. Alfalfa is the best low-fuss veggie around as it only needs to be rinsed and drained before eating.

Source: Slimming Magazine September 2003

I'm going to bump this again. It's refreshing to read over all the tips and tricks

I heard Oprah talking about her struggle with weight the other day, and heard her say something along the lines of (and I'm adding a bit here just you get the gist of it).......


....I'm thankful for my body...I'm thankful because my heart has kept beating, my bones have not broken, my organs serve their purpose, my brain still thinks, this body continues to carry me day after day, this body has bore me beautiful children, despite the way I have treated it, despite not exercising enough to keep it at it's ultimate, despite eating a whole lot of crap food for years on end, despite not protecting it from the sun, despite everything it is still here, still moving, still functioning for me, so I am thankful for my body.....

This really brought tears to my eyes, because I don't often stop to think of my body like this. We are so quick to list the things that our body ISN'T or what we wish it WAS, we should simply be thankful for it.

THIS is motivation for me to work harder to treat my body better, it deserves it after all it's done for me!

I put my usual jeans on yesterday and my husband said "Are you not going to wear a belt, those jeans are too big"
That was great motivation for me because those jeans used to be tight on me!!

Yay 2girls! That would definitely be a motivator.