Healthy Indian food

[jengerpeg]

Hi all, I started my diet 3 weeks ago and so far I've lost 4 and a half pounds. I need to lose 2 stone and I've decided to now count calories. I've been really hungry this week so I really hope I lose more than the pound that I usually do! Trouble is I've been invited out for an Indian meal and don't know what's best to have. I'm thinking tandoori chicken and boiled rice but if anyone can suggest anything healthier please let me know

[behappynow]

Avoid items in cream..try not to have add on items with your meal...I would eat just half a meal ...enjoy...

[back2trim]

That's a pretty good plan, as has been said avoiding sauces a good idea. Alcohol pretty big calorie culprit too. As restaurant portions tend to be much more than we need, maybe eat more slowly as takes 20 mins to recognise we're full; but make sure you enjoy yourself. If you don't allow yourself any fun it won't be sustainable.

Also, manage your expectations. 4.5lbs in three weeks is good, it's more than a lb a wk, besides which much better to lose 1lb a week than 6 one week and put back 4 the next! If you give yourself the credit that you deserve it's easier to stay on track. People like doing things that they are good at, and you're more likely to crack if you tell yourself you're not doing well enough. Keep going.

[jengerpeg in reply to back2trim]

Thank you back2trim, I hadn't looked at it like that! And yes I do need to enjoy myself as well or I'm going to give up as I have before. Thanks again for the encouragement x

[gingernut49]

When I was daily calorie counting I'd have tandoori chicken and salad if we went out for a curry.

I've been doing 5:2 now since 2012 so I can still go out and enjoy a curry on a non-fasting day!

[jengerpeg in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks gingernut49. I toyed with the idea of doing 5:2 but the thought of only having 500 calories 2 days a week is quite scary! Does it get easier with time and what days do you do your 500 cals?

[gingernut49 in reply to jengerpeg]

I won't say the first days are easy but it becomes so much easier over time and it's so good for your body - as well as being the most effective diet. I'll give you all the details now:

I lost the three stone I needed to on the 5:2 Diet after watching Michael Mosley's excellent Horizon programme in 2012, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" tinyurl.com/qzgo7tq or tinyurl.com/a8ppjl7 and went from a size 16 to a size 10 by eating 500 calories two non-consecutive days a week. I've been maintaining my weight loss since April 2013 by just fasting one day a week - in the past I piled the weight back on as soon as I finished 'dieting'. I'd very much recommend you read Kate Harrison's book, "The 5:2 Diet" (tinyurl.com/qe6mz4u) - it really does work and it will save you a fortune (towards your smaller clothes!).

I'd also very much recommend a free app for your phone called MyFitnessPal. Counting calories is very important so you can see how much you're eating and therefore eat mindfully rather than mindlessly. There are excellent videos in the Help section on the app that show you how it works - there's even a barcode reader to scan in branded foods.

It's important you don't eat more than your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) on non-fasting days. You can work that out here thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-.... If yours works out at more than 2000 then aim at 2000 on non-fasting days.

Here I am in the Daily Mail on 7th January tinyurl.com/m7rqecq. The other two ladies’ stories are inspiring!

This little video explains more youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

[jengerpeg in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks for this! I feel I can do this now and there are so many plus points doing the 5:2 diet that outweigh the minus. It's good to know that when you're hungry you're actually burning fat! I now feel inspired to give it a go.

[gingernut49 in reply to jengerpeg]

[binksk]

My healthy go to if I'm out is chicken shashlik, it's Tandorri cooked chicken & veg (onion, peppers, tomato) it's comes with a side sauce, which I don't eat & I get rice with it or a small bread, I don't order a started! The bread is the only bad bit & I try to share with someone so I'm only eating half!! Don't restrict yourself to much, still enjoy your food it's ok to have a cheat meal occasionally x

[jengerpeg in reply to binksk]

Thanks binksk, that sounds interesting and still quite healthy and as you say I still need to enjoy my food or I'll give up x

[jengerpeg in reply to binksk]

Hi binksk, thought I'd let you know that I tried your suggestion of eating chicken shashlick and it was delicious! Will certainly be having that again. Didn't get any sauce and I had it with boiled rice (only ate half of that). Thanks for the suggestion x

[binksk]

Defiantly need to enjoy ourselves even when dieting or we'll get bored & quit! Everything in moderation & it sounds like your doing well, your on the right track! Go out, enjoy yourself, pick something healthy & get back to your diet the day after! I often find if I exercise the day after a cheat meal I feel less guilty about having eaten it..

[June1965]

Don't go is my advice !!!! No matter what you eat weight goes on, far to much temptation!!!

I couldn't resist..... That's just me.