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My Favourite Healthy Recipes to Fuel your Day || Marisa Pilates Fitness



Are you eating enough during the day? Let me share my story and help you.

I have been struggling with my diet for years and I was overweight in my teenage years. As a former dancer, I had to look after my body all the time. I decided to go on a diet for the first time in my life when I was 14 years old. I went on a soup diet for 3 months and there was a time in the back of my mind a little voice was whispering in my ears: "become anorexic or bulimic". I refused to eat all other foods, it had to be soup. I forced myself to eat just soup. My mom had to take me to see a dietician because I was so unhappy with my body I have been following all different types of diets and nothing worked. Even if I  lost weight, I  would gain extra weight as soon as I started eating normally again. I have been eating less and feeling dizzy during my workouts. I have been cutting all carbs out and still felt dizzy during my workout. Nothing worked for me. I strongly recommend seeing a dietician because this dietician will help you to keep your foods in balance. You can eat whatever you want. I am not talking about sugary foods or junk foods or oversize portions. You can have pizza, but the dietician will tell you how many pizza slices you can have with a big salad. It is okay to have a bad day with food and eat clean the next day :) Just enjoy your healthy, honest, proper food. 

What I normally eat in a day? I eat 5 times a day sometimes 3 when I am very hungry I will eat meals and snacks together. Please keep in mind that this works for me. Everybody is different. 

I always start my morning with cups of black filter coffee. I like to drink it in the morning so that I don't have to drink coffee in the afternoon. During the rest of the day, I drink a lot of green tea and water. Camomile tea when I have my period cramps or before bed sometimes. 

Morning:

Smoothie, any smoothie, my favorite is coconut milk with dates, blueberries, and peanut butter. I can also swop dates for banana. I love smoothie for breakfast. I also go for eggs or Jungle Oats.

Be careful with the coconut milk or cream, it has high levels of calories and fats. Too much of this milk and eating a high carbs-rich diet can result in weight gain. Coconut milk lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, build muscle, and reduce fat. Coconut milk is rich in electrolytes and can prevent fatigue. It also improves your digestion and relieves constipation. 

Snacks:

2 Blocks of Dark Chocolate or sugar-free hot chocolate with fruit. 

I love Dark Chocolate and make sure to go for above 70% Dark Chocolate. You should eat chocolate every day to keep your blood sugar level in control. It is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease. 

Lunch:

Chicken Salads or leftover dinner

Snacks:

Rice Crackers with hummus spread or popcorn

I love hummus, it is made by blending chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic in a food processer. Hummus is an incredibly popular Middle Eastern dip and spread. It is packed with nutrients. Hummus is abundant in plant-based protein and is rich in various vitamins and minerals. Hummus can help to keep your bones at optimal health and it also can help lower cholesterol. Hummus can help reduce the risk of cancer. It is the best wholesome snack ever and it can help you on your weight loss journey.

Popcorn is high in several important nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and polyphenol antioxidants. Not only that, but it is also incredibly tasty and one of the world's best sources of fiber. At the end of the day, popcorn is very healthy, and consuming it in moderation may even help with weight loss. Ditch chips and go for popcorn.

Dinner:

Salmon with Roast Vegetables or Zucchini Pasta with Bolognaise

With what I eat in a day meal plan, you can also swop your snacks or dinner for lunch and keep leftover dinner for lunch the next day. It saves your money a lot and do forget Ubereats or Mr. D Delivery! 😉 Learn to love your foods and enjoy it. 

I recommend seeing this dietician - Elienne Horwitz - https://www.mydietician.co.za/ 

She provides dietary counseling and eating plans for weight loss, weight gain, sport, insulin resistance, PCOS, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gut issues, pregnancy, postpartum period, emotional eating, eating disorders, and disordered eating, whatever your wish.

I don't have a scale at home, I don't really believe in a scale, I believe in measuring my body on a monthly basis, so you can ditch your scale! Elienne/Dietician has a real scale that shows your body fat and how much muscle mass you have. I hope this helps you to understand how important is to see a dietician if you are not happy about your weight rather than to cut foods out yourself and deprive your body of important nutrients.


Love,

Marisa xx








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