Herbs & Health

Eat Well
Teresa Cutter shares her tips for a healthy lifestyle

‘Healthy Chef' Teresa Cutter bases her latest ‘80/20' diet on the philosophy that if you eat well 80 per cent of the time, around 20 per cent of the time you can enjoy a little indulgence!

Teresa's rules for her 80/20 diet are:

  • Shop wisely – plan menus for the week, including healthy snacks. Don't go shopping without a shopping list.
  • Cook simply and lightly –the healthiest cooking methods are steaming, poaching, baking, roasting, grilling and stir-frying. Sauté meats and vegetables in a non-stick pan with a teaspoon of a healthy mono-unsaturated oil such as olive, adding a little stock during cooking.
  • Eat the right way – about 80 per cent of the time you should be eating lots of fruit, vegetables, lean protein, wholegrains, raw nuts and seeds.
  • Drink eight glasses of water daily – vital for life, water is an excellent anti-ageing tonic and keeps hunger pangs at bay.
  • Do strength training – weight training increases your metabolic rate, encouraging your body to use more fat for fuel, and keeps you lean and toned.
  • Keep moving – make time to exercise at least five days a week. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you just move!
  • Work on your flexibility – stretching increases mobility, helps to decrease muscle soreness and reduces the rate of injury.
  • Set realistic goals – don't expect to change eating habits overnight or start running marathons without gradually building up an exercise program.
  • Stay positive – a positive approach is the best way to tackle anything.
  • Put yourself first – to enjoy everyday life, you need to look after yourself and prioritise your needs.
  • Make time for relaxation – adequate sleep and relaxation are essential for your body and mind to revive, repair and recharge. Learning to relax can also help reduce stress and anxiety.