Article Surfing Archive

One of the most daunting things about starting a slimming programme is planning what you're going to eat.

It doesn't have to be as hard as it seems though. Most meals are simple to make, especially if they are using healthy, fresh ingredients. Forget boiling your vegetables to death and eat them raw, or lightly steam them if you want them to be hot. Don't peel fruit that doesn't need peeling, it saves time, and allows you to get the full benefit of the fibre content. There are lots of ways to plan your meals that will help you to achieve your slimming goals.

1) Eat fish

Fish is good for you, particularly oily fish like salmon and mackerel. The other bonus is that fish is quick to cook. You can buy it ready-prepared from the supermarket or the fishmongers and most fish will grill in just a few minutes. It's also easy to bake in foil, and you can even add some vegetables such as leeks, peppers or tomatoes into the foil so that it all cooks at the same time. Even poaching fish in a little seasoned water doesn't take long. Plan to eat fish at least twice a week and you have an easy, healthy meal that requires little preparation and little cooking time.

2) Get used to salads

Provided you have the ingredients, you can make a wide range of salads in a short amount of time. Green salads made with romaine lettuce, cucumber, celery and avocado are healthy and can be prepared in 10 minutes. Carrots, dried fruit and lemon juice with sesame or sunflower seeds makes a quick and easy salad to serve with chicken or fish.

3) Steam, don't boil

Boiling vegetables like broccoli and cabbage reduces the effectiveness of their nutrients and makes them less appetising. Steam broccoli and other vegetables for just a couple of minutes for vibrant, crunchy vegetables and saut' cabbage in some lemon juice.

Although you have to change your eating habits when you are slimming, you don't have to plan your meals a week in advance to make sure you're eating properly. As long as you're buying the right foods, cooking them well and not over-eating, you should find your weight loss plan is easy and fun.