What to eat if you're on a diet but desperate for a snack!

There's something about going on a diet that makes you think about nothing but food all day long. You obsess about it, you long for pizza and you even dream about Chinese food / Mexican food / Indian food...... 

This is the reason I don't really think diets work because you end up resenting them because they deprive you. However, if you are on a diet and find yourself ready to chew your own arm off, what can you eat that won't ruin all your hard work so far?

Take a look at my list of 10 snack ideas and I'd love to hear about the snacks you turn to when hunger strikes.

The most important thing if you are on a diet and really hungry is not to ignore it. Starving yourself won't help you lose weight - just water.

1. Mug of hot water with a slice of lemon or a slice of orange. Refreshing and filling.

2. A banana or an apple. Both of these pieces of fruit will help quash the hunger pangs. Try frozen grapes for some variety.

3. A small pot of fat free yogurt. Sprinkle some nuts on top to add the protein (protein fills you for much longer than carbs)

4. Drink a glass of water and wait 10 minutes. Often, when you think you are hungry, you are only thirsty. You should feel fine after 10 mins.

5. Hard boiled egg - if you're at home, this is a great snack and it'll fill you till your next meal.

6. 2 rice cakes. Not yummy admittedly but they do the job. Avoid the flavoured ones - stick to plain.

7. Handful of dried fruit - keep a bag of apricots or raisins on your desk at work.

8. Chopped carrots, celery, radishes. 2-3 of these will sort out your craving.

9. Green tea - good for weight loss as well as satisfying hunger cravings.

10.Slice of chicken breast or turkey breast - the protein is filling but these lean meats will make you feel like you have filled the hole in your tummy.

Keep this list as reference so you always have something low in calories and low in fat to turn to when you're in need. What do you snack on?

Photograph by programwitch Flickr

5 Best Dinners for Losing Weight

Here is the final installment about what meal choices to make that are great when you're trying to lose weight. We're had healthy breakfast ideas and lots of lunch suggestions - today is all about dinner. Trying to eat healthily doesn't have to mean starving yourself and spending all day dreaming about your next meal. that's never going to work. But sometimes it's hard to find out what's good to eat that will fill you but not fatten you.

Here are a few suggestions of my own to give you some new ideas.

1.Grilled Salmon
Pre heat the grill and brush the salmon fillet with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper and crushed garlic. Wrap the fish in foil and place under the grill for 10 mins. Open the foil so the fish is exposed to the grill directly and cook for a further 5-10 mins depending on how you like your fish. Add a squeeze of lemon and serve with wild rice / cous cous / brown rice and small side salad.

2. Vegetable Pasta Bake
Choose 4 of your favourite vegetables (red pepper, mushrooms, carrots and leeks for example) and chop into medium size pieces and add to a pan on a low heat with a crop of olive oil. After 3 mins, add a can of tinned tomatoes and mix together. Season with oregano, thyme, salt and pepper (garlic optional). Using another pan, boil some wholewheat pasta in a pan and when it is al dente, drain the water and add the pasta to the vegetable and tomato mix. Pour this pasta / vegetable mix into a a casserole dish, add some low fat mozarella to the top, cover and place in the over for 20 mins.

3. Spaghetti Bolognese
Make this classic even healthier by using turkey mince instead of beef and use a jar of passata and not a pre-prepared bolognese sauce. Season with oregano, garlic and add some grated carrot. Serve with wholewheat spaghetti and a tomato and onion salad on the side. Yum!

4.Grilled Steak with Greens
Buy the best cut you can afford and make sure it's lean. Season with some black pepper and salt and a little steak seasoning mix if desired. Chop a few mushrooms in half and put under the grill at the same time as the steak. Grilling times according to taste. Serve with steamed spinach, green beans and peas.

5. Grilled Mackerel on Toast
Squeeze a wedge of lime over the fish and season before placing under the grill. Serve on top of 2 slices of wholemeal / granary toast. This makes a perfect light supper that will still fill you.


Photograph by marielito (flickr)