Health
“I’m a wellbeing expert – here are three things I’ll never do”
What would you never catch our founder, Liz Earle, doing when it comes to healthy eating?
From savvy swaps to foods she won’t give up, we have the scoop on the top three things Liz would never do for her wellbeing.
“I’m a wellbeing expert – these are three things I’d NEVER do”
Obsessively count calories
When it comes to eating well, Liz says that calorie counting is an approach that has never worked for her. Instead, she prefers to focus on the nutritional value of food.
Why? Take two chocolate chocolate digestive biscuits and half an avocado. They both have a very similar amount of calories, but differ in their nutritional makeup.
The biscuits will be full of sugar and have the potential to spike our blood sugars (leading to a whole host of other issues), while the avocado will be full of healthy fats, vitamins and fibre to keep us feeling satisfied.
That’s not to say that calorie counting should be entirely thrown out of the window. Many people do find it helpful. But focussing on what we’re eating over tallying up all the numbers could be more beneficial for setting up long-term healthy eating strategies.
Give up dark chocolate
You might not expect to find bars of chocolate in a wellbeing expert’s kitchen, but you definitely will in Liz’s.
We aren’t talking about sugar-laden white and milk chocolates. But Liz loves to tuck into a few squares of dark chocolate – the richer the cocoa content, the better (over 70% ideally).
Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants known as polyphenols, plus iron, potassium, magnesium and copper.
Not only that, but research shows that dark chocolate is more filling than the sweeter varieties, and may even help to reduce cravings for salty, sugary and more fatty foods.
That’s why Liz won’t be giving up dark chocolate any time soon!
Opt for low fat
Fat has long been demonised, with low-fat alternatives being pedalled as the ‘healthier’ option.
But Liz says she will never opt for low-fat foods. Instead, she embraces full-fat products, such as whole milk, yoghurts and soft cheeses.
Fat helps to keep us feeling fuller for longer, meaning we’re less likely to snack. It also helps our bodies to better absorb some vitamins. Plus, our energy levels will be more stable.
And, don’t forget that low-fat food is often higher in hidden sugars in order to retain the taste.
Find more of Liz’s tips for health in midlife and beyond in A Better Second Half
