Carrying around extra weight
can lead to a number of health problems.
Excess weight puts more strain on your heart.
It can raise blood pressure, contribute
to high blood cholesterol and makes diabetes
more likely to develop. Losing excess weight
is one of the best ways to reduce your risk
of heart disease. Not to mention you will
feel better about yourself and have more
energy!
In your quest to acheive
your ideal weight, avoid relying on fad
diets that exclude foods from any of the
four basic food groups (Grain Products,
Vegetables & Fruit, Milk Products, Meat
& Alternatives) or do not give you a
proper balance from these groups. Such diets
deprive your body of much needed nutrients
and teach eating habits that are not healthy
to sustain over a long period of time. You
can acheive your ideal weight in such a
way that is healthy and sustainable by following
Canada's
Food Guide to Healthy Eating and increasing
the amount of physical activity in your
daily routine.
Your mental approach is
a critical factor in successfully acheiving
and maintaining your ideal weight. It is
important to view your revised eating habits
as a healthy lifestyle change, rather than
a temporary means of acheiving a weight
loss goal. It is also essential to view
your new food choices in a positive light.
Think about the great things you are doing
for your body by eating more healthy foods,
rather than dwelling on the foods that you
are missing out on. And remember that once
in a while it is okay to indulge in some
of your favourite foods that may not be
such healthy choices.
Here
are some tips to help you put
a healthier spin on some of your
favourite foods:
Make lunch leaner. Replace
mayonnaise on sandwiches and
wraps with zesty lower fat options
like salsa or fruit chutney
or whole grain mustard.
Cut the
fat when cooking. Grilling and
broiling meats allow fat to drip
off. Using a non-stick skillet
for frying and stir-frying will
require little added fat. Baking,
steaming, boiling, and roasting
are other ways to prepare foods
without adding fat.
Put a
flavourful twist on the classics.
Top your baked potato with fresh
salsa and a dollop of plain low
fat yogourt.
Choose
lower fat versions of your favourite
dairy products, such as milk,
yogourt, cheese, margarine and
sour cream.
Product
Spotlight
Astro Plain Yogourt is made with natural ingredients
and has various milk fat levels,
Fat Free (0%), 1%, 2% and 3%.
The lower fat varieties can be
used in your favourite recipes
as a healthier alternative to
sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream.
Parmalat
offers a number of lower fat versions
of your favourite dairy products:
Black
Diamond Light and Fat
Free Cheddar, Mozzarella and Swiss
process cheese slices
Astro Zer0* has a great new look and a great new taste! And now we've added more fruit! Astro Zer0* is available in a variety of delicious guilt-free flavours as well as different sizes to meet your needs.
