If you’re struggling to get started, you might find the following list useful for your next food shop…

One of the biggest challenges so many of us face when trying to create a healthier lifestyle and lose unwanted flab, is the idea (or horror) of having to give things up. Or what alternatives to have in their place, in order to fill the void they have left.

Many of my personal training clients and Bootcampers were, when we first met, almost despairing at what to eat instead of the things that they were stuck in the habit of having every day.

And it wasn’t that they thought these foods were unhealthy, but rather there was so much conflicting info on Dr Google about what was and what wasn’t going to be good for them it was impossible to make a choice so they just stuck with what they knew!

Of course everyone’s different, and yes certain food choices will and will not work for certain people. So in order to avoid confusion, I’ve put together a list of basic everyday swaps you can start incorporating into your life.

Please remember, this is just a basic list and may not fit every individual’s personal requirements. So if you’re looking to learn more about what will and will not work for you nutritionally, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Juice → homemade smoothie

Squash → water with lemon/lime slices

Tea → hot water with lemon, herbal or green tea

Tinned fruit → fresh fruit

Sugar → stevia, xylitol or sugavida

Condiments → Herbs and spices

Mayonnaise → smashed avocado

Peanut butter → organic almond butter

Cereal → organic oats mixed with nuts, seeds, blueberries etc

Milk → unsweetened almond or coconut milk

Yogurt → coconut milk yogurt

Flour → almond meal or coconut flour

Vegetable oil → cold pressed coconut oil

Breadcrumbs → rolled oats

Wraps → romaine lettuce or collard leaves

Pasta → spiralised courgette

Rice → quinoa

Potato wedges → roasted cauliflower

Cheese → cashew nut cheese, nutritional yeast flakes

Coco powder → raw cacao powder

Overall: READ THE LABELS of what you are buying!

The healthier alternatives listed above are mostly single ingredient foods. The more natural and unprocessed your choices, the higher their nutritional value.

It is the cumulative affect of what you are eating, that will create you the best results over time. I hope you find the recipes on my blog quite useful in helping you get started. Change your choices and your waistline will thank you!

Good luck, Gen x