The Perfect Diet

I have recently read about a so called diet known as the dash diet. I don’t know what this new diet is about. It may be one of the many to get people to shed the extra pounds during the festive season. To be honest, I couldn’t care less about this one or another that experts may throw at us. In fact, my own diet is what I call the I-couldn’t-care-less one! 

I must thank to God that I can still afford to shop for food and even to invite my friends to diner. But don’t take me wrong -I’m not one to eat just anything, to rely on convenience or junk food, because I am so lazy that I avoid staying in the kitchen for longer than ten minutes. Contrary to this, I love cooking and chopping, peeling and sieving helps me to relax and to unwind from everyday stress and worries.

I know well that to enjoy good health and to be in good form, one has to eat everything. The quantities may vary according to age and daily activity. An office employee won’t need more than a man working in a building site, in the same way that an elderly won’t need more than an active adult.

My weekly shopping contains leafy green vegetables, fruit, fish, a choice of meat for meat balls or a hearty casserole, salad and tomatoes. Then, of course, in the cupboard, there must always be potatoes, onions and garlic. In the same way that one must have eggs, cheese or yogurts in the fridge.

Aromatic herbs and spices are my joy, lining together on a shelf.

I have always believed in the three square meals a day, that is, breakfast, lunch and supper. In doing so, one won’t go hungry until the next meal and there won’t be need to snack in between meals.

Diets have become a profitable business for some experts and magazines. On one day it may be a Dash diet and on another, it will be a different one. One will start one to leave it after few days. I once knew a lady who was known as the perfect dieter, because she tried everyone of them, but none of them seemed to work on her. She felt peckish and was pulling from this and that before she sat to have a proper meal.

Meat

I know that vegetarians will exclaim “Yuk!” at the sight of the photograph above. However, the body needs everything and a meaty dish once a week will do no harm, especially at wintertime.

Fish

By eating fish once or twice a week, we hall have the necessary Omega-3, especially if it is blue fish such as sardines, fresh anchovies, mackerel, etc.

Legumes

They are a source of minerals, vitamins and fibre and we should have them at least once a week, be them lentils, beans or chickpeas.

Leafy, green vegetables

They are a source of several vitamins and minerals -do make sure you always have some in the back of the fridge. Some boiled vegetables with spuds, dressed with olive oil and vinegar is a good evening meal.

Fresh fruit

Shall I have to say how necessary it is? The WHO advises on five pieces a day, but don’t worry if you disobey them by eating six or seven. It can’t, but do a lot of good to you and an apple when feeling peckish is a lot better than a bag of crisps or a  bar of choc. 

Have you put on weight after the Christmas season? You don’t have to starve yourself, but you only have to go back on a bit of austerity and to get out of the house for brisk walk late in the evening.   

Remember that miraculous or perfect diets don’t exist. It is about shopping well, cooking and your three square meals a day. No more and no less!