WHY A FRY-UP COULD HELP YOU SLIM

 

STOP WATCHING THE CALORIES AND START WATCHING THE CLOCK WITH THE HOTTEST NEW WAY TO SHED POUNDS – YEP, EATING A BIG BREKKIE COULD BE THE ANSWER TO YOUR SLIMMING DREAMS

 

 

Why is it your friend can stuff her face every morning and still fit into her skinny jeans, while you pile on the pounds with half a grapefruit?

Well, scientists may have discovered the answer.

A recent study found that women who consumed more than half their calories in the mornings lost, on average, 5lb more than those who stuck to low-cal breakfasts. In other words, it’s not how much you eat but when you eat it that counts.

Nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton from Iminseason.com says: “There’s a theory that skipping breakfast sends your brain into starvation mode, triggering your body to hold on to fat.

“Eating more food first thing revs up your metabolism and means you’re less likely to binge later in the day.”

So bring out the bacon, we say…

Your seven-day big breakfast plan

Breakfasts. Choose one (around 600 calories)

* 1 sausage, a slice of lean bacon, a large tomato, 1 poached egg, a serving of baked beans and a slice of wholemeal toast

* 2 Shredded Wheat with 125ml semi-skimmed milk, and a slice of wholemeal toast and marmalade

* Bacon sarnie with 3 slices of grilled lean bacon on granary bread with a dollop of ketchup and a glass of pure apple juice

* Large portion of porridge made with 100ml of semi-skimmed milk. Honey and chopped dried figs in natural yoghurt

* Wholemeal bagel topped with 2 scrambled eggs and a slice of smoked salmon

* Fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt, a mushroom omelette and skinny latte

* Large bowl of muesli topped with fresh berries, 200ml of semi-skimmed milk and a dollop of strawberry yoghurt

 

Lunches. Choose one (around 400 calories)

* Small jacket potato topped with cottage cheese and salad

* Medium wholemeal pitta filled with 100g of turkey breast and salad

* Veggie soup plus a granary roll

* Ham tortilla wrap made with a thick slice of ham, chopped fresh salad and 1tsp of mayonnaise

* Wafer-thin beef with lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad

* Tuna niçoise salad made with 1/2 can of tuna, 4 new potatoes, 1 egg, a handful of green beans, 4 anchovy slices, lettuce and a drizzle of low-fat salad dressing

 

Dinners. Choose one (around 400 calories)

* Chicken stir-fry with 1/2 a chicken breast, 40g medium egg noodles, a handful of beansprouts, pepper, mushrooms and cabbage, mixed up with 1/2tbsp sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce

* 1 fresh tuna steak (chargrilled) topped with 1 finely chopped tomato, 1/2 an avocado finely chopped, 1/4 cucumber finely chopped, fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon. Serve on a bed of mixed leaves.

* Salmon fillet and mixed steamed vegetables

* 2 Quorn sausages and a small serving of sweet potato mash

* Turkey fajitas made with 50g skinless turkey breast, 1 pepper, 1/2 an onion, 1tbsp of low-fat salsa and a drizzle of half-fat sour cream served on 2 tortillas

* 150g wholewheat pasta and broccoli served with 1/2 a jar of tomato and basil sauce

* Chicken caesar salad, made with 1 chicken breast, 4 anchovies and a drizzle of low-fat dressing served with mixed leaves

 

Snacks. Choose one (around 100 calories)

* Dollop of houmous and carrot sticks

* Handful of olives

* A low-fat yoghurt

* A piece of fruit

* Small handful of nuts (not roasted) eg. almonds or Brazils

* Slice of wholemeal bread with a scraping of peanut butter

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOPEFEATURES.COM, ALAMY, ANTHONY BLAKE