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Top Tips on Filling up Without Pigging Out

Don't 'save yourself' for the special meal later

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This approach has 'Diet Disaster' written all over it. It is sensible to save up calories when you know you'll be having a meal later, but don't starve throughout the day. By not eating anything, the first drink is likely to go straight to your head, stimulate those taste buds and before you know it, all your will-power has gone out of the window! Instead, have a sensible breakfast as normal, a light lunch and a snack before you go out - for example, a bowl or soup or high fibre cereal. By not being ravenous, you will be much less likely to pig out.

Quality not quantity

Be choosy with your chocolate and don't settle for any less than the very best dark chocolate to satisfy your cravings. Good quality dark chocolate (Green and Black's is a fine example) contains 70% cocoa solids and so will give you a much more intense taste than higher fat and higher calorie milk chocolate. Savour the taste of a couple of small squares of dark chocolate. It is a real change from the 'easy to eat' milky variety - but that's the plan - you don't eat as much! Dark chocolate may not be cheap, but hey - we all need a bit of luxury from time to time.

Become a grazer

There is a difference between uncontrolled snacking and planned grazing. Rather than waiting for three big meals a day, eat little and often. The key is to not allow yourself to become really hungry by eating low cal healthy snacks at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels constant. It's when we are ravenous and our energy levels dip that our resolve and good intentions suddenly crack and we wolf down whatever comes to hand - generally not good foods. You can avoid falling off the weight loss wagon by munching on a piece of fruit or some 'planned in' food whenever the hunger pangs attack.