The 600-calorie feasts that make healthy eating a pleasure

Forget fad diets, says Pip Payne, aka the Slimming Foodie, eating well involves a bit of planning, and everything in moderation. These filling meals are all under 600 calories

There are so many misleading messages around healthy eating and dieting, with new fads emerging all the time. I’ve always kept up to date with science-based food news and I adopt a commonsense approach to healthy eating. I eat a varied, balanced diet, based on the principle of moderation in all things. Cutting down on added fats and sugars where I can, I try to put more vegetables, fruits, pulses and legumes on my plate, as well as good proteins such as fish, eggs, poultry, red meat, nuts and seeds. I increase my fibre intake wherever possible, too. By avoiding processed and pre-packaged convenience foods, I know exactly what I am eating, while keeping indulgent foods and drinks as an occasional treat means I don’t feel I’m missing out. It’s simple enough, but healthy food starts with cooking from scratch.

I know this isn’t always easy – work, family and household pressures can make it seem you don’t have time to spend in the kitchen – but there are things you can do to help make home cooking easier. Plan a weekly menu and shop accordingly; knowing what you are going to be cooking takes away the exhausting evening cupboard raids to try to find something to cook. Batch cook – if I’m cooking something that will freeze well, I’ll often try to cook extra so I have some to freeze: homemade ready meals when you need them! And finally, try to relax about cooking. Instead of seeing it as a chore, put some music on and enjoy the process. It’s a great activity to take your mind off other worries, and has the added benefit of nourishing your body.

The Slimming Foodie by Pip Payne (Aster, £20) is out on Thursday.