There are plenty of healthy eating plans on the market to help, all suggesting how to get the right balance of proteins and carbohydrates.  Choosing the best approach will depend on your personal needs.  For example, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and women with medical conditions, should seek medical advice before altering eating programs.  Lady Jane recommends that women wanting to adopt a new program should do so only from a reliable source and should consult their doctor first.

Here are a few simple tips to get you started…

    •    Portion control. Change your dinner plate to entree size so meals are smaller.  You’ll find that more often than not, you feel just as satisfied after eating lesser amount.  This tricks the mind in believing a full meal has been eaten, rather than a half serve on a large plate.  

    •    Drink plenty of water before and during meals.  Often feelings of hunger are confused with feelings of thirst.  Quench your thirst first and assess then whether more food intake is really needed.

    •    Don’t eat out of boredom.  If you feel like “a little something” then perhaps tell yourself you’ll come back to that - just after you walk around the block, hang out the washing or make that phone call.

    •    Always make eating an event.  Chew your food carefully, savour the flavours and let your mind see what you are eating.  Eating in front of the television doesn’t allow your mind to register that the body is receiving food.  You will feel far more satisfied and content by eating at the table.

    •    There’s no rush.  Eat slowly, allowing your body time to adjust to the food intake.  This at times can be impossible for busy women who are trying to get a quick snack in before the kids wake up, the washing gets hung up or the next business meeting.  It’s not easy… this is where taking time out for oneself is a priority.  Giving yourself 15 minutes to eat and digest will make you feel refreshed and far more motivated to tackle the rest of the day.

    •    Eat regularly.  Don’t allow yourself to get into such a desperate state of hunger.  Snack on healthy options such as a piece of fruit to keep blood sugar levels stable.

    •    Don’t eat immediately before bed.  Your body needs enough time to digest food properly before going to bed.

    •    Reduce alcohol consumption.  Alcohol intake should be limited as it increases appetite and has a number of health implications if drunk in large quantities.  Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation.