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How to Diet the Healthy Way

Posted by Lynda on November 2nd, 2012 (Diet, Health, Weight Loss)

How to diet the healthy way and lose weight permanently in five easy steps, by Sydney dietitian Lynda Hamilton.

 

If you want to learn how to diet the healthy way and lose weight permanently, you need to change your mind set.  A healthy diet is one we follow for life.  It’s a balanced, healthy diet packed with a varied diet that provides all the nutrition we need to remain healthy, fit and able.   Here’s how to diet the healthy way and lose weight in 5 easy steps.

– Forget fad diets & never cut out food groups
The first rule of how to diet is to forget about fad diets and never cut out food groups. A healthy diet consists of three balanced meals a day and two healthy snacks that will provide your body with the energy and nutrition it needs to function.  Never cut out carbs, dairy or any other food group unless you have a genuine diagnosed dietary condition such as lactose or wheat intolerance or Coeliac disease.

– Never starve yourself or feel hungry 
You should never starve yourself or feel hungry while eating a healthy diet.  Fill up with plenty of fresh fruit and veg; eat wholegrain bread, rice and pasta; eat pulses, beans and lentils, and fish twice a week.   If you want to more about what you should be eating on a healthy diet, watch my diet advice videos.

– Your diet plan has to be sustainable
Your diet has to suit you and your lifestyle in the long term because if a diet plan is not sustainable, it is not going to work and you will just put the weight back on when you return to eating normally.

– Weight loss should be gradual
The fourth rule of how to diet the healthy way is to aim for a gradual weight loss of 1 kg a week.  But don’t be scale obsessed – just start by consciously eating more healthily.  After a fortnight, or if you prefer a month, weigh yourself and see how much weight you have lost.

– Get active and exercise
Exercise goes hand in hand with a healthy diet and good nutrition.  You will burn more calories and build muscle – and the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns.  So get active whether its walking to the shops, taking the dog out for any extra run, joining a dance or yoga class, swimming or a team sport – just do whatever you enjoy.  You feel better, have more energy and be doing your heart a favour.

By Lynda Hamilton

Lynda Hamilton is an  Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist BSc, BHSc (N&D) at Hamilton Dietetics.  If you would like to speak to a dietitian, get in touch with Sydney dietitian, Lynda Hamilton.

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