My Dearest Beauties,
Two weeks ago I decided I needed to see how I was really doing fitness wise. I went to Magie for consultation and as it turns out I have some more body fat to burn out and some muscles to gain. She gave me the best health program I have personally ever tried. I count portions and calories, I can choose from any of my favorite carbohydrates, proteins, fruits etc. So I mix and match, it is all about juggling and balancing with my portions and types of foods. I successfully lost two kilograms of pure fats! I have to say, I worked religiously with the program for the week days, the weekend, on the other hand were a little crazy.
What I love the most about my experience with Magie as my dietitian is that I am learning a lot about patterns of healthy eating and I feel like this could easily be incorporated into any lifestyle. I say that because, unlike going to work or attending classes in college, eating is not a task that we often practice as a strict schedule. We do not have working hours or special tasks, when we think of having a meal, I find. We sometimes have to stick to what we have, to what is the most practical. Sometimes we are obliged to eat out or sometimes we do not have the energy to stick to a strict diet. That is when working with portions comes in handy! You can always work your way around it, you can have a little more of x instead of y.
Now, I worked with Magie on some very common mistakes we make and questions we have.
This is what Magie had to say:
We put together the top five types of snacks that are healthy but they often are guilty of carrying a high calorie content.
- Olive Oil. Especially in our Lebanese heritage foods, meals like tabouli, labneh and zaatar sandwiches. Olive oil is definitely a healthy fat but, it is a fat at the end, and each teaspoon of it equals one whole portion of fat from your day.
- Dried fruits and nuts. These are delicious and a personal favorite but if eaten in crazy portions they become a weapon against maintaining a healthy balance.
- Corn Flakes and Granola Bars. These have high contents of carbohydrates and are easily eaten in bigger portions.
- Fresh Almonds and Pistachios. During the season of these delicious nuts, we tend to over eat them and although they are healthy, the big amounts turn them guilty.
- Avocados. Whether eaten alone, in salads, fruits cocktails or juiced; this deliciously guilty fruit is high in fats and cannot be eaten in big portion. Very healthy but very guilty.
Another common question is how can we maintain a balance while eating our guilty pleasures? Getting back on track or not even coming close to ruining your health program when having your treat is possible. We worked on some simple examples.
If you have a beer, then you will have to count it as two portions of carbohydrates. Two portions of carbs are about a loaf of arabic bread or a cup of cooked rice or pasta.
If you have a small cupcake, you will have to omit having portions of carbs and fats from your day. It all depends on the size of the cupcake.
If you have half a chocolate bar, you will have to omit a portion of carbs and a portion of fats. Chocolate is a carbohydrate and the butter and cream in it is a fat.
If you have a thin slice of pizza, omit having a portion of carbs. If you have a thick slice of pizza, it counts as much as 300 calories which is two whole portions of carbohydrates. You can eat it instead of your carbs portion or do a full hour of high intensity cardiovascular work outs.
If you have fried chips, have around 12 units and eat them as a portion of carbohydrates and don't forget that it is fried in oil so omit a portion of your fat intake.
Where to find Magie?
- Doha Aramoun, main street, facing Al Doha Pharmacy. 05 813 730
- Hamra, Abdel Aziz street, Al Mabani Bldg., 1st floor. 01 745 036
- Choueifat, Old Saida Road, Inside of Avalon gym. 70 684 910
Hope you find these helpful and interesting. I will have regular posts with Magie's advice, so if you have a specific diet or nutrition related question please leave it down in the comments and I may answer it in the upcoming posts.
Stay healthy,
Samar
