The months leading up to your wedding are no time to run out of steam — make sure you know which foods will give you a natural boost, and invite them into your daily diet. Here are the top three.
Protein
Why: High protein foods will keep you from getting hungry and snacking, and also help to maintain energy throughout the day.
Serving Suggestion: Centre every meal around protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, light cheese, cottage cheese, or peanut butter. For breakfast, have toast with peanut butter; for lunch, include cottage cheese with fruit; and for dinner, go with fish or chicken.
Tip: If, two hours after you’ve eaten, you feel hungry and tired, chances are you didn’t get enough protein.
Complex Carbohydrates
Why: Complex carbs take longer to digest, contain less fat, and supply more energy than simple carbs.
Serving Suggestion: Opt for whole grain pasta, bread, and cereal and complex carbohydrates whenever possible. Instead of white bread, go for 10-grain; in lieu of corn flakes, try sultana bran.
Tip: Don’t be afraid of the organic foods section at the grocery store, where you’re likely to find tonnes of whole grain pasta, bread, and cereal options.
Water
Why: Water is the number one way to flush out toxins, prevent dehydration, and keep your body running in top shape.
Serving Suggestion: Instead of reaching for that can of sugary soft drink, make an effort to substitute with a glass of water. The amount of water you need depends on your weight. A good way to determine how much you need is to take your body weight and divide it by thirty. The resulting number is the number of litres you should be drinking every day. For example, if you weigh 70 kilograms, you should try to drink 2.5 litres of water daily.
Tip: To wean yourself off soft drink, try flavoured vitamin water or add a lemon to your glass.
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