Life after a diet

Clinical Nutritionist Linda Barr of The Nutrition and Health Company suggests another useful strategy for keeping weight off in the long term: choosing the right plan. For people starting a new diet, look for a weight loss programme that is a healthy lifestyle plan rather than a diet. 'If you change your eating habits to incorporate a healthy eating plan rather than a restrictive calorie-controlled diet, you need never come off it,' says Barr. Gradual changes in eating habits help encourage a permanent lifestyle change, which is essential to weight loss maintenance.

Barr adds, 'You must ensure that your weight loss programme is suitable for your body type. A lot of people lose weight on a diet and then put it straight back on as soon as they stop. This indicates that they've been on the wrong weight loss programme for their body.'

Part of the advice Barr gives her clients is to make sure they eat breakfast, have lots of leafy green vegetables, increase the amount of pulses and lentils in their diet and avoid sugars and processed foods. She explains, 'I don't believe this way of eating is about dieting. It's about creating a healthy lifestyle for yourself.'

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