Are you always tired? Well, eating the right food can give you more energy.
First, increase your intake of Vitamin B. Have cereal for breakfast -— oatmeal or Muesli will make a real difference. Include a brightly colored fruit salad with some live yoghurt in your diet everyday. Bananas are wonderful high-energy snacks, which is why tennis players munch on them mid-match. A good breakfast sets you up for the day. People who eat breakfast have more energy for the day ahead. They are also less likely to snack and put on weight. Peaches are so good for you and great for energy. Avoid caffeine and sugary snacks. It is an amazing fact, but it is true that if you exercise you will have more energy. Exercise for 10 minutes every morning before your shower for a bright, confident and energetic start to your day. Just e-mail to [email protected] for a free copy of my “Mini-Morning Workout”.
If you are suffering from bloating and flatulence, the first thing to check is that you drink sufficient water, especially in hot weather. Insufficient water can also cause constipation. Vegetarians who are lacking protein in their diets can also suffer from fluid retention and flatulence. So make sure you have some protein everyday. Eating plain yoghurt is very good for the gut and helps prevent wind. Fresh pineapple contains wonderful enzymes that also help relieve wind and soothe the stomach. Aniseed and fennel can also decrease flatulence and aid digestion. Some people get wind after consuming dairy — if so you may be sensitive to dairy or lactose intolerant. Herbal teas like peppermint or fennel can help while also having a calming effect on the stomach.
If you are overweight, don’t immediately think of dieting. If you lose weight quickly on a diet you will almost certainly put it back on later. Take the intelligent approach. Think about eating positively and healthily. Make gradual changes to your routine; your body does not like sudden changes. Enjoy a healthy breakfast, mid-morning fruit snack, lunch to include a portion of carbohydrates, a mid-afternoon treat and supper with a low-fat dessert before 9 p.m. It is sensible, healthy eating by routine that gradually drops the kilos permanently. It is gradual lifestyle changes that last long term. Serial dieting just leads to misery!
Recipe of the Week
Mexican beans and rice
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup long-grain white rice - uncooked
1/2 tsp olive oil
1 cup onions — chopped
1 cup celery — sliced
1 clove garlic — minced
425 g pinto beans, canned — drained and washed
225 g no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
Method
Cook rice according to package directions. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat add onions, celery, and garlic. Cook and stir until crisp-tender. Add pinto beans, tomato sauce, water, ketchup, chili powder, and hot pepper sauce. Heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.
Ask Alva:
How many calories do we need to burn before we lose one kilo in weight? I know from your column that jogging can consume four calories per pound of the body weight per hour. Which means If I jog 30 minutes a day and my weight is 165 pounds I lose about (165 x 4) x 30/60 = 330 calories per day or 9,900 calories per month. Considering that my food intake per month is 5,000 calories therefore my net loss per month is 9,900 - 5,000 = 4,000 calories is it right? Therefore, I want to know approximately how many kilogram is 4,000 calories. Norodin
Of course, my guideline is only a guideline. I wish it were so simple! I doubt very much that your food intake per month is only 5,000 calories. That would be the equivalent of just 167 calories a day! In my experience, the average person in the Middle East consumes more than 1,300 calories a day (or around 40,000 calories a month), which is why they are overweight. So, if for example your daily calorie intake is 1,700 you would need to burn off 400 calories a day just to ensure that you did not put on any extra weight. Alva
