Eating healthy this valentine

In the process, most people especially the ladies add a few pounds. But with a few tips and some planning, you can get through the big night without adding inches to your waistline.  Start out healthy: Begin with a light salad or soup to kick things off. This will help to fill you up before […]

In the process, most people especially the ladies add a few pounds. But with a few tips and some planning, you can get through the big night without adding inches to your waistline.  
Start out healthy: Begin with a light salad or soup to kick things off. This will help to fill you up before switching into the big meal.
Practice portion control: Remember that restaurant sizes are often larger than normal. Consider eating half of your meal and putting the rest in a take-away pack.
Step away from the bread basket: If you’d like a roll, grab one then move it away from yourself. This also applies to meals like chips. Grab a small handful and then stay away from them the rest of the night.
Avoid all the bells and whistles: Don’t add a bunch of extras to your meal. When it comes to a salad, avoid topping it off with buttery croutons, grated cheese, bacon and dollops of high-fat dressing. The same goes with a burger, baked potato and other entrees.
Think red: Since red would be the “colour of the day”, you can include the following as toppings in your salad: Red bell peppers, red beans, red onions and red tomatoes then the following should be taken as desserts: cherries, strawberries. These are all packed with vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants, fibre and protein. So forgo that cocktail, which can be loaded with sugar, and have a glass of red wine instead.
Meal modifications are key: Feel free to make special requests. Ask the waiter if they can put the sauce on the side – or to substitute veggies for the french fries. Find out if your meal can be made without butter, oil or salt…anything that could help cut down on calories.
Don’t always give a gift of chocolate: If you and your date are trying to lose or maintain weight, consider purchasing a fruit basket instead of a box of chocolate, or baking a low-calorie dessert. It’s also important to remember that a number of sugar-free candies and chocolate brands are available and can be found at your local grocery store or the candy section of an area pharmacy. In Nigeria, we ladies hardly appreciate flowers so it’ll be a big mistake if a guy presents a bouquet of flowers to his date because he wants her to keep fit.
Do not completely deprive yourself: Valentine’s Day is a time for laughter, fun and food. Having a small slice of cake or a couple of muffins will not lead to weight gain. Just be moderate. And if you do pop the lid off that box of chocolates today, don’t feel guilty. Research has shown that chocolates are full of healthy compounds and may actually help prevent heart disease, enhance immune systems and give us a feeling of well-being.