FOOD BOREDOM = WEIGHT GAIN

Let's face it, in our society food plays a major role.  Family gatherings are done around the dinner table, birthdays are celebrated with cake, anniversaries are cause for a dinner out, funerals encourage mourners to gather for food and comfort, even vacations arrangements are made with food in mind - all inclusive anyone?   Because so many of our important life-events involve food, it's only natural we want it to taste good and make a favourable impression on our guests.  For those trying to lose weight  however, serving up something to please the masses and still manage to shed a few pounds can feel like an impossible task.  But it doesn't have to be.

The myth that in order to lose weight you must eat boring, bland meals to be successful is, well, a myth.  On the contrary, people working to achieve weight loss and health goals who make their meals fun, full of flavour and use a variety of different foods are more likely to be fully satisfied after a meal and less likely to reach for those items they will regret later.  So, how can you appeal to the masses, or even your own family, and still continue moving towards your weight loss goals?  It's really a lot easier than you might think. 

For starters, choose a dish that you are familiar with, one you have served often regardless of how healthy/unhealthy it may be.  Butter chicken is a favourite around our house and typically not thought of as something one would be able to enjoy and still lose weight. Take a look at the ingredients and identify the protein, fat and carbohydrate, making note if any are missing.  Chicken is the protein, fat is the butter and cream and white rice is the carbohydrate.  Spices are free and don't need to be accounted for so go ahead and spice up your creations!

Next, look for ways to swap out unhealthy or lesser quality ingredients without compromising taste.  Replacing the butter and cream (saturated fat) with a little coconut oil and coconut milk (healthy plant based fats) are much higher in quality and taste amazing in spicy dishes.  White rice has a much higher glycemic index (converts to sugar more quickly, storing more fat) than brown rice so opting for a brown basmati greatly improves the quality of your carbohydrate.  In addition to quality, portion size of rice is also a factor in preventing a sugar spike and fat storage.  Adding vegetables (slower digesting carbs) such as onions, red pepper, broccoli and cauliflower to your dish will make the dish more filling, encouraging smaller portions of rice and creating a healthier balance. 

With just a little planning and thought, and by exploring different aisles in the grocery store, you too can make your favourite dishes fit your plan of a healthier lifestyle.  All the taste, comfort and enjoyment you want at your own dinner table and on special occasions, with the balance you need to stay on track and achieve your weight loss and health goals.