PICK-ME-UPS

Like lots of you, I’m on the go all of the time. With my job and way of life I’m active, at work and doing things for 16-18 hours a day. Naturally, at times I find myself tired and in search of a pick-me-up. With my new regime, I’ve had to make an adjustment as to what that can be. It might be something as simple as a bit of leftover roast meat or a quick omelette. Other times, I reach for something instant to get me through. These are the things that work for me when I need a boost –

they might work for you too!

Coffee

At the start of this journey, I looked at low-carb diets which stressed the importance of eliminating caffeine, but I was mad about caffeine and I still am. Caffeine can deplete dopamine, so it isn’t to be recommended, but I love my coffee! It’s a stimulant and helps keep me awake. I’ve included it in my regime and still lost weight, so you don’t have to step away from the espresso machine.

Chocolate

Before I embarked on this regime, I never thought I had a sweet tooth. Once I gave up alcohol though, my body started to crave the sugar it was missing from booze and I found I needed to balance that out. I was avoiding cakes and desserts, so I started to reach for a bar of chocolate when the cravings struck. I realised quickly that this wasn’t good. If I had to have chocolate, I made sure it was the best quality I could find, at least 70 per cent cocoa solids. It’s low in carbohydrate but still feels like a treat. Eventually, those cravings subside so I find I reach less and less for a bar of chocolate, but I do allow myself the odd square now and again.

Fruit This has become a high-priority food for me. I know that fruits are quite high in sugar, and some low-carb diets severely restrict their consumption, but they feel like a healthy treat. And at the beginning at least, not a day went by without me grabbing a handful of grapes. I’ve

also developed a love of apples, enjoying their crunch and flavour. It’s a bonus that some of the fruits lowest in carbohydrates – berries for example, at only 6g per 100g – are rich in antioxidants.