20 Tips To Be Trim, Taught And Terrific

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 9, 2008

ANNETTE SYM

MODERATION is the key to wellbeing, so here are my 20 top tips for a healthy 2008.

1. Check the labels on food products. You should be looking for low sodium, low sugar and low saturated fat.

2. Have a high-fibre diet and you will not only be healthier for it but you will feel less hungry. Eat high-fibre cereals such as Weetbix, bran flakes, All-Bran, Vita Brits, and low-fat muesli. Have multigrain breads and instead of juicing your fruit, eat it whole.

3. Only eat lean meats and remove the skin from chicken. Avoid high-salt deli meats as they are also high in fat.

4. Give up full-cream milk (nearly 10 grams of fat compared to skim milk at 0.2 grams of fat).

5. Always eat breakfast it starts your metabolism for the day.

6. Drink at least two litres of water every day. Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger, so be hydrated and you may find you aren't as hungry.

7. Cut down or omit caffeine and salt.

8. Junk food can be high in fat, sugar and salt with very little fibre; so eat it only occasionally.

9. Drink alcohol in moderation. Too much and healthy eating goes out the window.

10. Use cooking sprays instead of adding oil or fats to the pan.

11. Use low-fat mayonnaise and no-oil dressings on your salads.

12. Eat slowly it takes 20 minutes to realise your stomach is full.

13. Don't miss lunch you may find yourself eating too much later in the day.

14. Don't feed your sweet tooth. The more sweet food you eat the more you will crave it.

15. Eat the quantities of food that your body needs, not what you desire.

16. Take control of food, do not allow food to control you. Don't have food in the house that you can't resist.

17. Think and act like a healthy person and you will become one.

18. Exercise at least four or five times a week.

19. Don't be a chronic dieter; instead enjoy low-fat food. Be satisfied, full and not deprived, be happy, think positive and live life to the fullest. Be your own best friend and love and nurture yourself every day.

20. Finally, remember that nothing tastes as good as being slim feels, so never give up.

Annette's Symply Too Good To Be True cookbooks, eight-week weight loss journal, CD-ROM menu planner and Get Motivated & Lose Weight CD are sold in newsagencies or visit symplytoogood.com.au.

RECIPE

WINE TRIFLE

SERVES: 8

* 1 packet diet jelly crystals (Cottees)

Custard mix

* 2 cups skim milk

* 2 tablespoons custard powder

* 1 tablespoon sugar

* ? teaspoon vanilla essence

* 1 x 800g can peach slices in natural juice

* 6 small (180g) sponge jam rollettes

* 60ml port or sherry (optional)

Method

Make jelly up as directed on packet. Refrigerate.

To make custard: Place all the custard mix ingredients in a

medium saucepan and blend with a whisk. Stir constantly until

mixture boils. Cool.

To assemble trifle: Drain peaches, cut into small pieces. Slice

rollettes thinly, place around base and edge of a deep glass

bowl. Sprinkle port over rollettes (optional). Spoon peaches over

cake then pour cooled custard on top. Mash up set jelly with a

fork and spread evenly over the top of the custard. Refrigerate

until required.

Variations

For an even sympler version replace custard mix with 600ml

carton of low-fat custard, or replace tinned peaches with your

choice of fruit equalling two cups.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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