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    Fibre For Weight Loss: How Much Should You Eat? What Nutritionists Recommend

    If the phrase “fibre in your diet” calls to mind images of your mom popping Metamucil tablets, we don’t blame you — fibre is basically the Golden Girls of the nutrient world. However, it’s also essential for weight loss.

    Fibre is about as close to a magic weight loss ingredient as you can get, says Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t getting enough of it, she says. Here’s everything to know about fibre intake for weight loss.

    How much fibre should you eat per day?

    The average woman should be getting 25 grams of fibre per day, according to the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines. That’s the amount in seven apples, or 12 cups of broccoli, or seven and a half cups of oatmeal. But we’re going to take a wild guess that you’re not eating that many apples.

    How does fibre help you lose weight?

    Getting an adequate amount of that nutrient through whole foods (not fibre supplements, more on that later) keeps you fuller longer because fibre digests much slower than simple carbs. And the more full and satisfied you feel after eating healthy, fibre-filled foods, the less tempting those cookies in the break room will be after lunch, explains Gans.

    READ MORE: Finally, A Medical Aid Is Offering DNA Tests To All Members

    Another bonus that comes with packing fibre into your diet is that healthy, weight-loss-friendly foods, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains, are already full of the stuff, says Gans. So by aiming to meet your fibre quota, rather than counting calories, you’ll likely end up making better food choices overall, she says.

    What are the other health benefits of eating enough fibre?

    Fibre is an essential nutrient for health, says Katie Hake, a nutritionist at Indiana University Health. “Fibre can help to reduce cholesterol, which helps prevent heart disease. It can also help control blood sugar by slowing down the breakdown of food, particularly for those who live with diabetes,” she says.

    On top of that, this essential part of your diet keeps your digestive system trucking along, so you won’t be bloated or constipated. (*Insert poop emoji here.*) How exactly does fibre do that? It depends on the kind you’re consuming.

    There are three kinds of fibre: soluble, insoluble, and fermented. The first two aid digestion, but each type has a different role. “Soluble fibre, from oats, nuts, and seeds, acts as a broom to ‘sweep’ things along,” says Hake. Insoluble fibre, from things like cabbage, brown rice, and some dark leafy vegetables, on the other hand, promotes bowel movement by making your stool easier to pass. “[It’s] non-digestible and adds bulk to the stool, which can aid in moving things along,” says Hake.

    Then, there’s fermentable fibre, which you can get from foods like beans and garlic. “Fermentable” means the fibre holds an ability to promote growth of good bacteria in the gut, similar to probiotics, says Hake.

    How can I eat 25 grams of fibre a day?

    Since pounding six apples at the end of your day to meet your fibre goal isn’t appetizing, the best strategy is to spread your servings out across all your meals and snacks for the day, says Gans.

    “All of your meals should include at least eight grams of fibre,” she says. To hit the 25 grams per day goal, snack on a medium pear or half an avocado, which has about six grams of fibre each, says Gans.

    READ MORE: Tracey-Lee Lusty Opens Up About Her Bariatric Surgery And What Being Body Positive Means To Her Now

    To ramp up your fibre intake at each meal, start including oatmeal, which has four grams per cup, quinoa (five grams per cup), and barley (eight grams per 1/4 cup) into your menu. To up the ante even further, get friendly with fibre-filled mix-ins like chia seeds (10 grams per ounce), and chickpeas (about nine grams per 1/4 cup). Above all, remember that fibre is your friend.

    What foods are highest in fibre?

    If you need more ideas of high-fibre foods you can add to your daily diet, there are plenty of other options. Here’s a list of foods you can try, according to Hake.

    Lentils (7.8 g of fibre per half cup): “Lentils can be a great source of protein for lentil tacos, chilli, or stuffed in cooked peppers,” she says.

    High-fibre bran cereal (9.1 grams of fibre per half cup): “It’s an easy food to add to yoghurt or eat for breakfast to help keep you full for a busy day ahead,” Hake says.

    White beans (9.6 grams of fibre per half cup, cooked): Hake notes that white beans are easy to add to a soup or salad for an added fibre boost.

    Black beans (7.7 grams of fibre per half cup, cooked): “These make a great base for all kinds of meals and add additional fibre,” she says.

    Artichokes (7.2 grams of fibre per half cup, cooked): Try adding artichokes to a salad or on top of homemade pizza for a twist.

    READ MORE: Will Eating Less Really Help You Shrink Your Stomach?

    Can you eat too much fibre — and what happens if you do?

    It is possible to have too much fibre, especially if you’re incorporating supplements into your diet or if you consume in excess of the dietary guideline limit of 25 grams a day. If you’ve had too much, you’ll feel it. “Consuming an excess of the dietary guidelines can cause gas, bloating, discomfort, nausea, and even constipation,” says Hake.

    Again, the best way to avoid going overboard is to avoid fibre supplements. (Tip: It’s also better to get fibre from natural foods because it encourages you to eat more nutritious options, which you might not if you rely on supps — not ideal for weight loss.)

    If you’re just beginning to monitor and up your fibre intake, Hake suggests increasing gradually to allow your body time to adjust and minimize symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help reduce any likelihood of stomach aches from upping your daily fibre.

    The bottom line: Fibre is a crucial nutrient for weight loss, and the average woman needs 25 grams per day, which can be spread out across your meals and snacks.

    This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com More

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    What Exactly Is The OMAD Diet?

    What’s your favourite meal of the day? Maybe it’s breakfast when you can have a hearty plate of eggs and bacon, or dinner when you can finally have that salmon you’ve been thinking about all day.

    Now, imagine that’s the only meal you can eat each day. That’s the premise behind the OMAD diet, which stands for “one meal a day,” which is essentially a form of fasting.

    While fasting can be good for you (just ask Vanessa Hudgens or Jenna Jameson), some experts believe certain methods like the OMAD diet aren’t a healthy, sustainable solution for weight loss. Here’s what you need to know.

    What exactly is the OMAD diet?

    “Think of OMAD as intermittent fasting on steroids,” says Dena Champion, registered dietician of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “OMAD is literally when someone eats one meal daily during one hour of the day and then fasts the other 23 hours.” You are allowed to drink black coffee or other non-calorie drinks during that fasting time—but nothing else.

    On top of that, you’re instructed to eat that one meal during the same four-hour window every day, says Jen Oikarinen, a clinical dietitian with Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. “Consistency is emphasised in the OMAD diet,” she says. And while it is recommended that you make healthy food choices, it’s more about when you eat than what you eat, says Champion.

    READ MORE: Will Eating Less Really Help You Shrink Your Stomach?

    OMAD dieters are supposed to adhere to a set of rules known as the “4 ones,” says Oikarinen. So if you’re on the OMAD diet:

    You should only be eating one meal per day

    You can only eat within one hour of your four-hour eating window

    You must eat off an 11-inch (27cm) diameter plate

    Your meal shouldn’t be more than seven centimetres high on your plate (so…a mountain of french fries is definitely off-limits)

    Worth noting: While the OMAD diet is technically a fasting diet, it’s quite different from other intermittent fasting diets like the 16:8 diet, which instructs you to fast for 16 hours and eat three (or four!) meals during the remaining eight hours.

    READ MORE: This Vegetarian Recipe Makes The Perfect Movie Night Snack

    So, can the OMAD diet help me lose weight?

    Yes, but again, some experts say it’s neither healthy nor sustainable weight loss.

    OMAD is basically a starvation diet if you follow all the stipulations, says Rebecca Elbaum, a clinical administrative dietitian at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. That’s because you’re not consuming enough calories with just one meal as you would by eating three or four times a day, so weight loss will occur.

    Also, because you’re eating so little (and so sparingly), you’d also likely go into ketosis (the state during which your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbs) from this diet—not because you’re upping your fat content and decreasing your carbs, but because you’re eating very little in general, says Elbaum.

    Aside from the weight loss, a fasting programme like OMAD can also result in mood swings, muscle loss, hormone disturbances, and even changes in your menstrual cycle (like having it stop completely), says Oikarinen. “Another major concern is the increased risk for nutrient deficiencies; decreased intake of food also means decreased intake of beneficial vitamins and minerals,” Oikarinen says.

    One study showed that compared with people who ate three meals a day, the risk of death increases by 30%, and goes up even more for cardiovascular-related deaths. And, skipping meals is closely related to having an unhealthy diet, a higher intake of alcohol and taking in less energy overall.

    READ MORE: Want To Manifest Your Goal? Don’t Make These Manifesting Mistakes

    Should I try the OMAD diet?

    While plenty of people sing the OMAD diet’s praises online, and some experts certainly endorse various forms of intermittent fasting, Elbaum believes not even healthy people should try the OMAD diet. And that goes doubly for anyone who’s pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering from past disordered eating, has diabetes, or even regularly exercises or lifts weights, she says.

    “Healthy weight loss will be whatever is the most sustainable over a lifetime,” she says. “This includes a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.”

    Interested in some type of fasting? A less intense form (like the 16:8 diet) might be your best bet. Even then, it’s wise to talk to a registered dietician about your options and how best to work an intermittent fasting diet into your lifestyle, says Oikarinen.

    The bottom line: Definitely steer clear of the OMAD diet—it won’t promote healthy or sustainable weight loss.

    This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com  More

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    The Only Loaded Nachos Recipe You’ll Ever Need

    Summer nights are for fun food. And this recipe has that in scoop. This is definitely a “do try this at home” kinda dish and once you’ve made it once, you’ll never want to try another loaded nachos recipe again.

    Best part? We’re well aware most people would’ve already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions or goals. And we’re here to help you get back on the right track (or even find a new goal). Without taking more of your precious time.

    You Can “Read” While You Make This Loaded Nachos Recipe

    If you promised you’d read more this year but have found your bookshelf doing little more than collecting dust, this is for you. Meet your new BFF — Blinkist. This app condenses non-fiction books into 15-minute audiobooks. So, you’ll be able to get at least one or two in while nailing this nachos recipe. Reading challenge, sorted!

    READ MORE: This Beetroot Chocolate Cake Is So Moist It Doesn’t Even Need Icing

    Beef & Bean Loaded Nachos Recipe

    Loaded nachos are one of those dishes so delicious you can’t really choose a stand out ingredient. Between the guac, cheese, chips, beans, meat and more, with every layer you add, the more moreishs it becomes.This loaded nachos recipe might be the exception, though. The star of this show is the cheese. It’s a souped-up béchamel — saucy, stretchy and delicious. You’ll never want to make nachos any differently after trying this recipe.

    Prep Time 10 minsCook Time 30 mins

    Course Main CourseCuisine Mexican

    Servings 6 people

    1 Frying Pan1 Oveproof Dish
    1 tbsp Olive oil1 kg Beef mince1 tbsp Dried oregano2 tsp Ground cumin2 tsp Smoked paprika1 tsp Ground coriander1 Onion, chopped3 Garlic cloves, crushed1 tbsp Tomato paste (concentrated puree)400 g Tin black beans, drained and rinsed400 g Tin chopped tomatoes2 tbsp Sea salt100 g Corn chipsBig dollop of sour creamCheese Sauce500 ml Béchamel sauce mix125 ml Milk200 g Grated cheddar125 g Grated mozzarellaGuacamole3 Small avocados, roughly choppedJuice of 1 limet tsp Sea salt1 tbsp Spring onion, green part only, chopped1 tbsp Coriander, chopped1 tbsp Pickled jalapeño, choppedTomato Salsa2 Roma tomatoes, chopped1 Golden shallots, chopped1 tbsp Olive oil1 tsp Red wine vinegar1 tsp Sea salt1 tsp SugarOptional IngredientsA margarita Although this could be classed as essential
    Preheat the oven to 180°C. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat and brown the mince for 5 minutes or so, breaking up any large lumps as you go.Add the spices, onion and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes until the onion has softened.Add the tomato paste, black beans and tinned tomatoes. Half-fill the tomato tin with water and swish it around, then add to the pan. Season with the salt.Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes so it reduces a bit. Meanwhile, for the cheese sauce, make the béchamel, adding the milk slowly until the sauce is smooth. Fold in the grated cheese until melted and combined. Mmmm.Transfer the mince mixture to an ovenproof dish and nestle the corn chips on top.Drop spoonfuls of cheese sauce over the meat and corn chips.Bake for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.While that’s happening, make the guacamole by combining all the ingredients in a bowl.Ditto for the tomato salsa.Eat the nachos with the guacamole, tomato salsa and sour cream.

    Keyword beef, mexican dish, nachos More

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    Long-Distance Trail Running: Here’s Exactly How To Prep And Push Through

    There’s running, there’s long-distance running and then there’s long-distance trail running. And if hitting the tar or trails for a cheeky 5km wasn’t tasking enough, then tackling this terrain is exactly the kind of torture you will enjoy. But before you head off into the great outdoors, here are some practical tips to bear in mind.

    1. Your Training Should Be A Priority

    Modern trail runners are spoiled for choice when it comes to cutting-edge nutritional supplements, exercise regimes and gear, but speak to any trail runner after a major event, however, and you’ll hear the same tales of runners failing to finish due to altitude sickness, ripped up feet from ill-fitting shoes, or upset stomachs from eating too much of the wrong items at the wrong times.

    “A good mix of running and hiking, and knowing when to switch between the two will make it more enjoyable”

    To ensure your safety and enjoyment, the very first lesson for new runners is that your race journey doesn’t start when the race starts, but in the years and months leading up to that moment.

    READ MORE: Get Strong, Shapely Legs With This Do-Anywhere Leg Workout

    2. Don’t Push Yourself Too Early

    According to Coach Rebecca Johansson who has a PhD in Exercise Science from the University of Cape Town, new runners should be patient and enjoy the journey. “A good mix of running and hiking, and knowing when to switch between the two will make it more enjoyable and will help keep your breathing and effort sustainable,” she recommends. “As you gain fitness, strength and experience you will feel more confident and comfortable running longer distances.”

    Getty Images

    3. Don’t Try To Do It All Alone

    This applies as much to your preparation for any run – where it will initially be critical for your safety that you follow a more knowledgeable runner who can offer you guidance on-the-fly – as it does to during the race event itself.

    “Having a pacer or supporter can be very helpful in order to make observations on whether you are disorientated or hallucinating, and can help decide if you need to rest, need certain nutrients etc,” explains Coach Rebecca. “For a 160km race, with nine checkpoints along the way, it’s possible to do the race without a pacer. You will need to ensure to restock your nutrients at each checkpoint to have enough until the next point.”

    4. Sign Up For An Exciting Race

    One of the most challenging trail running events is the annual Ultra-Trail® Drakensberg (UTD), in April, with races ranging from 21km to 160km. What it’s really known for, however, is its unparalleled vistas as runners cross the border between South Africa and Lesotho, with the trail incorporating and skirting some of the legendary features of the Drakensberg, including Sani Pass and the Twelve Apostles.

    “Most people run too fast early on in the race, not taking into account that they’re literally going to be running the entire day”

    READ MORE: How Triathlete Vicky van der Merwe Balances Training With Motherhood

    5. Make Sure You Keep A Steady Pace

    Pieter ‘Everyone calls me Pete’ Calitz finished sixth overall in last year’s UTD 100km race. A professional tennis coach, Pete got into trail running seven years ago and participated in several races in his home city of Cape Town and surrounds before he tackled the UTD for a new challenge.

    According to him, the most common mistake he sees on runs is incorrect pacing: “Most people run too fast early on in the race, not taking into account that they’re literally going to be running the entire day. If you can run in the last 20 or 30 kilometres, it’s going to be much better for you than having run fast in the first 30 or 40 kilometres and then literally walking or death-marching towards the end.”

    6. Get Good Miles On Your Legs

    Jo Keppler also ran the UTD in 2022, making the trip from her home on a farm outside Pietermaritzburg with the aim of improving her time in the UTD 160km. Avoiding 2021’s ankle injury, in 2022 she accomplished her goal of a sub-28 hour time, shaving more than two hours off her 9th place finish in 2021, to finish fourth overall this year.

    Your preparation for a new event should preferably take into account both the local terrain and a distance which is related to whatever you’ll be running on race day. Jo left nothing to chance: she and a friend ran 226km along the Drakensberg Grand Traverse over 89 hours without any support a month before the race. “We were up in altitude most of the time, it was very wet on the escarpment and conditions were really difficult. So I think that really toughened me up,” she says.

    “Always have back up plans. If you are not acclimated to the area, the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive”

    According to Pete, variety is key: “To run 100km you have to mix up long runs with a lot of climbing and you have to do some speed, so I just do a mix of some track work once a week and do lots of climbing up the mountain – even if it’s just for beers or coffees – and then every couple of weeks I do some long runs. I did a road marathon before the UTD race which was a way to run 42km.”

    READ MORE: This Cardio Abs Workout Takes Only 20 Minutes But Works All Your Major Muscles

    7. Prepare For High Altitude So You Have Low Stress

    Preparing yourself for the possibility of altitude sickness is also important in the Drakensberg. “Always have backup plans. If you are not acclimated to the area, the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive which could make you more susceptible to GI distress,” explains Coach Rebecca. “If this happens, you need ‘back up’ food and drinks you can try. Some athletes will rely more on liquid nutrition as a backup, or slow down to get food down.”

    Jo agrees: “A lot of people get quite nauseous. From my experiences you really need to slow it down and drop your heart rate and keep eating, because then people stop eating and drinking and that makes it ten times worse. So I try to eat something every hour on the hour, even if I don’t feel like it.”

    Getty Images

    8. Make Sure You Fuel Yourself Correctly

    Marthinus Stander, the General Manager for the Premier Resort Sani Pass Hotel (a favourite venue for runners tackling the various Drakensberg races due to the location and runner camaraderie there), started road running eight years ago before getting hooked on trail running after moving from Durban to Sani.

    He explains that running in extremely cold and rainy conditions can suppress a runner’s appetite. “You’re so cold that all the blood has flowed to your skin to try to keep you warm in that environment. There’s no blood going to your stomach to process the food that you’re putting into it,” Marthinus says. “So the liquid diet that you’re on for that period works. There’s a bit of comfort in eating a handful of nuts or chewy sweets or a little race bar, but to actually have a sandwich is going to be  hard to get down.”

    According to Jo, nutrition has been a case of trial and error for her, but she feels she’s finding a good balance now. “I use Hammer gels and Hammer bars, which are all-natural. And then I use Maurten drink mix and Tailwind, so that’s like specialised nutrition which you don’t get at the refreshment tables,” she says. “So I’ll carry those and my cashews and dates, and at the tables, I’ll have some fruits, bananas and potatoes.”

    “A month before the time, I did the whole UTD route, broken up into 15km pieces. I think that played a massive role”

    9. Get To Know The Area

    Although trail runners can rarely spend months at their race’s venue beforehand, a site recce to familiarise yourself with the environment and soaking up local knowledge is a good idea.

    Marthinus recommends that runners prepare for new races by studying the actual routes they’ll be running while under less challenging conditions: “A month before the time, I did the whole UTD route, broken up into 15km pieces. I think that played a massive role, especially the pieces I was going to do at night.”

    “A lot of people will come back to do a recce for the UTD next year, and they’ll sit with me and say, ‘Right, how do we get from here to there? How tough is this?” he shares. “I have the knowledge to give to these people and say ‘This is how it works. Let me run with you for 10km or put you in touch with a farmer in that part of town who will allow you to run through his farm to a checkpoint.”

    Getty Images

    READ MORE: Meet Blue Health Travel, The New Water-Focused Jet-setting Trend

    10. Take The Leap

    When it comes to destination trail runs – aimed at all skill levels – it’s easy to see why the Drakensberg region attracts runners from across SA and the world. Whether your breath is taken away by the majestic mountain ranges, the biting cold, the high altitudes or your over-optimistic pace, there is something about the great outdoors.

    Apart from the UTD, two other trail runs in the Drakensberg which are worth investigating are The Giant’s Cup in May and the Sani Stagger in November.

    If all you want to do is just hike these routes and appreciate the beauty at your own pace, that’s also an option with The Giant’s Cup’s ‘Hiking Giants’ event. More

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    Exactly How Sleep Deprivation And Weight Gain Are Linked – And How To Prevent The Spread

    Before, we thought that sleep deprivation and weight gain weren’t related. But research in recent years has shown that not only are they linked, but getting too few zzz’s can have a major impact on an expanding waistline.

    In a study by the University of Chicago, researchers determined that four nights of sleep deprivation reduced insulin sensitivity in fat cells by a whopping 30 percent. And the less sensitive your cells are to insulin, the less your body produces the hunger-regulating hormone leptin.

    “This is one of the first studies to show that a cell outside of the brain – the fat cell – also needs sleep,” says study author Matthew Brady, vice-chair of the Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition at the University of Chicago.

    Brady and a team of researchers put seven young, healthy subjects through two study conditions: First, they spent 8.5 hours in bed for four nights in a row (participants slept for roughly eight hours each night, the ideal length). One month later, they spent 4.5 hours in bed for four nights.

    Previous research has shown that getting only four hours of sleep negatively affects metabolism. After the fourth night, the subjects took a glucose tolerance test and had fat cells biopsied. And, yes, food intake was controlled and identical.

    READ MORE: Will Eating Less Really Help You Shrink Your Stomach?

    How Sleep Affects Fat

    The authors found that sleep deprivation made fat cells less sensitive to insulin, a hormone that cells use to take in glucose for energy. Brady explains that insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is proportional to the secretion of leptin, a hormone made in the fat cell that regulates hunger. The less sensitive cells are to insulin, the less leptin they produce, and the hungrier you are. And the magnitude of the decrease, in this case, was very surprising.

    “A 30 percent reduction in insulin sensitivity is equivalent to metabolically ageing the subjects 10-20 years just from four nights of four and a half hours of sleep,” Brady says.

    “It’s not that we took someone who was on the tipping point of developing metabolic disease and just pushed them over the edge. These were very young, healthy subjects.”

    Brady says the findings are important because they suggest that sleep could be a treatment for obesity. To that end, his next study will consist of trying to improve the sleep of overweight or obese subjects who have obstructive sleep apnea to see if sleep quality has any effect on insulin sensitivity and metabolism.

    He’s excited about the possible impact such a study might have: “It’s hard to get people to diet and exercise but if you could show that improving your sleep quality and duration has a positive benefit, that may be an easier therapeutic intervention for people to undertake.”

    Getting more sleep can also yield weight loss results. In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, overweight participants who went from sleeping only 6.5 hours a night to sleeping a full 8.5 hours were able to reduce their daily caloric intake by a huge 270 calories.

    In another literature review, authors noted that sleep deprivation is linked with a higher intake of calories throughout the day. Sleeping less than six hours a night is associated with a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) and having less sleep for five days in a row can result in short-term weight gain. Even working nights and having irregular schedules is linked with a less favourable metabolic profile.

    READ MORE: Exactly How To Lose 2kg, 5kg Or 10kg, According To A Dietician

    Ways To Get Better Sleep

    While the University of Chicago study still leaves some questions unanswered – namely, if “catching up” on sleep over the weekend can reverse the effects – it’s clear that getting enough sleep is important for both your mind AND your body. Here are five ways you can improve your sleep now.

    1. Make a Bedtime Routine

    Pick an hour for shutting down every night and stick to it – on weekends, too. A regular bedtime and waking time will help you fall asleep.

    2. Power Down

    Checking your cell before bed amps up brain activity, making it harder to doze off. Plus, the blue light emitted from gadgets can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin. At least an hour before bedtime, turn off your TV and computer and don’t use your phone.

    READ MORE: 6 Weight Loss Strategies That’ll Get You Closer To Your #BodyGoals

    3. Chill Out

    A cooler body makes it easier to fall asleep. Exaggerate that feeling with a toasty, pre-bed bath or shower. Lower your thermostat a bit, then pile on the blankets—you’ll save money on your heat while you’re at it.

    4. Sip Wisely

    No caffeine after sundown and no booze before bed. While drinking alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, you could wake up in the middle of the night. Enjoy a cup of decaf or herbal tea instead.

    5. Drown Out Noise

    Sleep with a fan on or invest in a sound machine that can produce white noise to block the racket of the outside world. More

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    Tracey-Lee Lusty Opens Up About Her Bariatric Surgery And What Being Body Positive Means To Her Now

    Tracey-Lee Lusty visited our phones years ago as FitnessGirl_ZA, a woman on a weight-loss mission while championing body positivity and a kind approach to health and wellness. Now, Tracey-Lee has opened up about her struggle with binge eating and how it’s resulted in her opting for life-saving bariatric surgery to recover from obesity.

    We sat down with Tracey-Lee to talk about her thoughts on the surgery, body positivity, and what it means to her.

    Firstly, what does the body positivity movement mean to you?

    I’ve always maintained that body positivity is about ensuring that your body is functioning healthily and optionally for you. Therefore, you can still be body positive and actively work on bettering your health which could have the consequences of a changing size. I don’t believe that it is a club reserved for plus sizes persons, nor do I believe that only certain body-size persons can be body positive. To me, body positivity is about accepting and learning to love your body in every body season.

    READ MORE: 6 Weight Loss Strategies That’ll Get You Closer To Your #BodyGoals

    You’ve always had a body positivity platform while losing weight and working towards your goal weight. Did working towards a goal weight challenge your body positivity?

    Initially, I was conflicted as mainstream schools of thought require that in order to be body positive you have to accept your body in its entirety, therefore ANY attempt to change your body whatsoever (even for health reasons) would be the antithesis of body positivity. I reconciled this issue with the fact that the very core principle that underpins the Body Positive movement is self-love. And surely ensuring your body is functioning healthily and optimally for you is the very act of self-love?

    When did you realise you had an eating disorder, and how did this impact your work as a public figure?

    I’ve suffered from disordered eating patterns from as early as 13 years old. I went on my first diet at 7 years old and by 13 I was already in a terrible binge-restrict cycle. I don’t think my disorder has had a negative impact on my work because I’ve always shared openly and authentically about my life. However, I will say that in recent months I’ve felt the impact of my declining health, especially when it comes to pursuing more fitness-orientated performance goals.

    “I’ve always maintained that body positivity is about ensuring that your body is functioning healthily and optimally for you.”Tracey-lee lusty

    READ MORE: “Body Positivity Was The Key To My Mind And Body Transformation”

    You’ve called your obesity a disease that’s impacting your health. Do you feel the same is true for all obese women, or that this issue pertains only to you?

    It is an established scientific fact that obesity has now been recognised as a chronic disease by medical professionals which may require medical intervention like other prominent chronic illnesses. This has been a massive win for those who suffer from obesity and who have continuously been stigmatised by society who believe that obesity is a result of a lack of willpower, discipline or greed. I’ve learned that hormones play a huge role in weight regulation and often a breakdown of communication between the satiety centre in our brains and our gut can lead to a lifelong weight gain struggle (as is the case for me).

    Whether or not a person wishes to seek medical intervention or not is a personal choice. I believe that if someone who is medically categorised as obese (using preferred medical standards and testing) and who is also suffering from the co-morbidities associated with obesity (such as diabetes and chronic hypertension or high blood pressure), then the consideration for obesity medication and/or surgery is an option worth exploring.

    I am, however, proof that you can be overweight/obese and still be fit and healthy. I have been overweight, yet fit and healthy, since 2017 so I do not think it’s correct to assume that every obese person should undergo surgery. It was only in recent months that I recognised my obesity had reached a point where I personally felt it needed medical intervention.

    READ MORE: Download Your Free 28-Day Essential Guide To Self-Care

    For your upcoming surgery, what are your hopes on how this will impact your journey going forward?

    In the last year and since contracting Covid in 2020, I’ve really struggled with my health. I’ve also been unable to get my weight under control and have seen a steady incline despite undertaking a conservative caloric intake and regular weight training sessions and cardio.

    Despite my best efforts, my body felt like it was in complete free fall and I knew something was wrong as it just didn’t make scientific sense. It was only on my honeymoon when I was precluded from doing certain activities such as horse riding and parasailing due to my weight that I realised I needed serious help. The moment of realisation really came when we had finished snorkelling and it took 3 grown men to pull me out of the water onto the boat because I couldn’t lift myself up (despite being a very strong woman).

    The decision to have surgery was initially a really difficult one. I was very conflicted before I knew and understood the science behind obesity as a disease (and not self-inflicted as many assume) as well as the science behind the surgery itself. However, after my first consultation with my team, I had so much clarity about why this surgery is certainly not the easy way out or a cop-out.

    I was very sceptical before I understood that this was far more than “weight loss surgery” but rather a life-saving surgery. That really helped me put everything into perspective and it fully aligned with my body positive principle of ensuring your body is functioning healthily and optionally. At the end of the day, this decision is for my health and does not negatively impact others in any way.

    Tracey-Lee Lusty at the hospital for her bariatric surgery

    “I was very sceptical before I understood that this was far more than “weight loss surgery” but rather a life-saving surgery.”
    Tracey-Lee Lusty

    READ MORE: Exactly How To Lose 2kg, 5kg Or 10kg, According To A Dietician

    As someone who has been through extensive therapy and teaching others to love their bodies in every season, I was very nervous about going public with my decision for fear that some of my audience would feel betrayed by my decision. I knew that the only way to prevent this was to come out and be completely open and honest and approach this new chapter in my life from a point of education.

    Just as I was sceptical because of how the media portrays the surgery, I knew many people would be too. This is why I made the decision to use my platform to dismantle the stigma associated with not only obesity but also surgery. Educating and encouraging positive discourse around this topic is my aim for 2023.

    I am excited to be able to meet my performance-related fitness goals again and to be able to run with my husband and hike again. I would also like to start a family soon so I’m doing this for family planning purposes too. This surgery is life-changing for so many people and I am really looking forward to being able to do the things I love again.

    Tracey-Lee Lusty has received bariatric surgery and is now in recovery. Follow her on Instagram here. More

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    in diet and nutrition

    This Vegetarian Recipe Makes The Perfect Movie Night Snack

    There are many ways to enjoy this Boland water plant. This Asian-inspired vegetarian snack recipe wins every day. Here’s what you need to know about the South African delicacy.

    What Is A Waterblommetjie?

    Waterblommetjies (literally water flowers) are native to the Western Cape and grow in ponds. They grow in winter so if you’re eating seasonally like Ilse Van Der Merwe, creator of this recipe and author or Simply Seasonal, reserve this recipe for the cold, wet months.

    But how are these flowers actually eaten, you ask? Well, the most common way to use waterblommetjies is in the ultimate comfort food; a bredie. The delicate and earthy flavour of these little plants balance out the rich, fatty flavour of the lamb in the stew to make a tummy-warming meal.

    READ MORE: Try This Trendy And Delicious Vegetarian Orzo Pasta Recipe Now

    The Ultimate South African Vegetarian Snack Recipe Ahead

    And although bredie has been waterblommetjies’ claim to fame for centuries, this vegetarian snack recipe is sure to put it on the map as crispy, saucy, proudly South African snack. Now, all that’s left is to choose what you’ll be binge-watching tonight.

    Waterblommetjie Tempura With Aïoli And A Soy Dipping Sauce Recipe

    Chef’s Note: The two dipping sauces are a must, but if you’re only going to make one sauce, make the soy and ginger one.We all love a good shortcut and if you need one this is it: you can also use store-bought ponzu sauce as is, as a substitute.Want more proudly South African recipes? Get a copy of Simply Seasonal by Ilse Van Der Merwe.

    Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 20 mins

    Course Appetizer, SnackCuisine South African

    Servings 6 people

    1 Blender1 Whisk1 Small mixing bowl1 Wide pot
    Aioli2 Egg yolks30 ml Lemon juice10 ml Dijon mustard1 Clove Garlic125 ml Canola oilSalt and pepperSoy Dipping Sauce45 ml Soy sauce45 ml Fresh lemon juice15 ml Finely grated fresh ginger2.5 ml Sesame oil1-2 Whole Spring onions, finely slicedWaterblommetjie Tempura500 grams Fresh waterblommetjies70 grams Cake flour60 grams Cornflour±180 ml Soda waterCanola oil, for deep fryingSalt and pepper, to taste
    For the aÏoli, blend the yolks, lemon juice, mustard and garlic in a small blender with an open spout (or tall cup with a stick blender) and season with salt and pepper. Add the oil in a thin stream while blending continuously, until a thick mayonnaise is achieved. Set aside.For the soy dipping sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.For the tempura, rinse the waterblommetjies under running tap water, then bring about 1 cm of water to a simmer in a wide pot.Add the rinsed waterblommetjies, cover with a lid, and steam for 10 minutes. Remove from the pot and drain off the excess water. Set aside to cool slightly.In a mixing bowl, mix the cake flour and cornflour, season with salt and pepper and add the soda water. Mix with a fork or whisk – some lumps should remain.Heat 4–5cm of oil in a wide pot to 180°C (most of us don’t have a thermometer for this, so test a few drops of tempura batter to see if it sizzles). Dip each waterblommetjie into the batter to cover all sides, then place carefully into the oil. Fry in batches on both sides until golden (they won’t get very dark because of the cornflour) and fully cooked, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Serve hot, with the aÏoli and the soy dipping sauce on the side.

    Keyword starter, vegetarian More

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    in diet and nutrition

    This Dark Chocolate & Date Fudge Is The Perfect Healthy Treat

    This decadent twist on an old classic is bound to do the trick. This will be your go-to easy fudge recipe for anything from a date night or picnic with friends to a healthy treat for when the cravings hit.

    READ MORE: This Simple Freezer-Friendly Pulled Pork Tortilla Recipe Is Perfect For Meal Prep

    Dark Chocolate And Date Fudge Recipe

    This decadent, yet healthy dessert only has 4 grams of sugar and is the perfect treat for any occasion.

    Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 0 mins

    Course DessertCuisine American

    Servings 64 servingsCalories 51 kcal

    1 Baking pan1 Food processor
    Non-stick cooking spray1 cup pitted Medjool dates1 tsp pure vanilla extract1/4 tsp kosher salt1 3/4 cup 70 percent dark chocolate, melted1/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned, and very roughly chopped1/4 tsp flaky salt
    Lightly spray a 20x20cm baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; spray paper.Soak dates in boiling water for 10 min; reserve ½ cup liquid, drain, and transfer to a food processor along with vanilla extract and kosher salt.Add ¼ cup reserved liquid and puree, scraping down the sides and adding additional reserved liquid as necessary to blend, until smooth. Add chocolate and puree until smooth.Transfer mixture to the prepared pan, top with hazelnuts and ¼ tsp flaky salt. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Cut into 2.5cm squares. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Keyword chocolate, healthy

    *This article was originally published on Women’s Health US More