But not just any way! Yes to slimming down, but with pleasure!
To assist you in this daunting resolution that will help you achieve the figure of your dreams, Nice-Premium invites you to follow the advice of Thérèse Ferrari, a certified dietitian.
Nice-Premium: Thérèse Ferrari, “slimming” and “pleasure” are terms not often associated when it comes to weight loss, right?
Thérèse Ferrari: They can be, but it requires learning: in terms of cooking, the quantities of “pleasure” foods, and the frequency of consumption.
N-P: So we can slim down with pleasure, but how?
T.F.: First of all, learn to cook in a simple yet tasty way by enhancing the flavor using natural elements other than fats. Fats often provide the “stewed dishes” flavor, so it is necessary to learn to achieve a similar result but without them or almost without them. I am never in favor of just steam-cooked vegetables and always grilled meats and fish: one gets tired of them very quickly and it’s a rather sad diet…
N-P: Is it necessary to have a personalized meal plan?
T.F.: Certainly, if only because we don’t all have the same tastes, it’s better to adopt an example of menus that suit us, that is, made from our favorite foods.
N-P: Does the body have the same needs at all times?
T.F.: No, the body does not have the same needs for a man or for a woman, and for a given individual, needs will vary depending on the season, physical activity, and overall calorie expenditure, certainly depending on age as well.
N-P: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner: Is this a mandatory routine to follow?
T.F.: It’s preferable, if only to avoid snacking in the afternoon following an abbreviated or skipped midday meal. However, there are possible adjustments to make eating at work easier; you can have a very hearty breakfast and a lunch that only brings supplementary elements: this can simplify things for working people. For adults, the snack isn’t essential, but it is advisable whenever there’s a tendency to snack: it’s better to establish an additional meal.
N-P: What should a breakfast consist of?
T.F.: Ideally, always:
– 1 dairy product: milk or yogurt or cheese
– 1 cereal product: bread is ideal (vary between white and wholemeal), baguette, toasted bread, or rusks (a bit richer in fats but very convenient) or cereals
– 1 fresh fruit eaten as is (better for fiber intake) or as juice: this is ideal for the day’s vitamin C intake. This season 2 tangerines or 1 orange or 1 kiwi is perfect!
– 1 flavored drink: tea or coffee
And why not an additional protein intake: egg or trimmed “skinless” ham or turkey breast: this can allow for a lighter midday meal.
N-P: Tea or coffee?
T.F.: It doesn’t matter: these are often chosen by taste and not by obligation. Both are stimulants that the body needs to “start,” green tea is rich in antioxidants but can also be enjoyed at other times of the day.
N-P: More and more people eat lunch quickly, is that dangerous to our health?
T.F.: It’s especially not advisable to eat without chewing and to eat too quickly; rather than danger, one often speaks of digestive discomfort or even digestive disorders. It is better to eat little by organizing other meals accordingly but to eat slowly, chewing food well.
N-P: What foods should be favored for a snack?
T.F.: Without a doubt, bread and chocolate for children. For adults, if there’s a dip at 4 pm, a small snack is welcome; this can be 1 fruit (preferred if there’s a sports activity in the late afternoon) or a dairy product. Bread can also be advised when the lunch consisted only of green vegetables and one has to wait for a late dinner.
N-P: Is water an essential element in weight loss?
T.F.: Yes, it’s not that water will cause weight loss but it will help eliminate waste from metabolism and will help “suppress hunger” gently and comfortably: it’s impossible to follow a diet while being hungry all day.
