ASK A NUTRITIONIST

Can consuming yoghurt assist with weight loss? How so?

Yes, as part of a whole food based, balanced diet, yoghurt can definitely be included in a diet aimed for weight loss. The previously mentioned protein and also fat content of full fat yoghurt is helpful to keep us satiated plus the additional micronutrients will ensure our body is getting the support it needs to shed the weight.

Especially in summer, I tend to eat less meat. I’m worried that I am not getting enough protein. What is the daily amount for good health?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein (the amount of protein needed to support health) varies with Life Stage Group (i.e., age). The RDA is actually based on a formula of .8 grams per kilogram of weight per day for healthy adults and 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram for pregnant women. For a healthy adult women above the age of 18, that is about 46 grams of protein per day, and about 71 grams of protein per day during pregnancy. For men over age 18, that number is approximately 56 grams of protein per day.

I’m struggling with knowing when I need to eat and when to stop eating. I feel like I tend to overeat, but start feeling full almost as soon as I start eating when I attempt to eat slower and more mindfully. Do you have any tips on accurately gauging hunger and satiation levels?

We encourage you to start to look at how satiating and filling each meal is, as you may not be eating enough of the right foods at mealtimes to support your body. Also, we recommend to eat three balanced meals each day and enjoy two snacks between meals, which helps to reduce overeating in general. A big tip is to also eat mindfully, which means no phone, social media or other distractions at mealtimes. Instead, try sitting down with a plate of food and eating in a calm environment. This immediately helps you to connect to when you are full and does wonders for your gut health too. We also ask people to take three deep breaths before each meal and slow down the whole process. Finally, know that you can always eat more food later if you’re still hungry. This shift in mentality helps people to gauge how much they really need to eat.

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