THE GOLDEN RULES TO MAKE IT SO SIMPLE

THE Low-Carb Healthy-Fat diet (LCHF) is designed to keep carbohydrate intake low, depending on how active you are and how quickly you want to lose weight. If getting slimmer, rather than general health, is your first concern, use weight loss mode (below) as your model, switching to health mode when your aim has been achieved. WEIGHT loss mode (total 50g carbs): three meals a day and up to two snacks (if you’re hungry). Each meal should contain protein (¼ of the plate) and non-starchy salad and vegetables (½ plate) . The remaining ¼ should be healthy fats. In addition, eat berries (80g per day). HEALTH mode (total 1 0g carbs): three meals a day and up to two snacks if you’re hungry. Each meal should contain protein (¼ of the plate), non-starchy salad and vegetables (¼ plate) and starchy vegetables, pulses or low-carb grains (¼ plate) with the remaining ¼ as healthy fats. In addition, enjoy berries (80g a day), a glass of wine or vodka (with slimline mixer) plus two squares of dark chocolate a day.

EACH MEAL SHOULD HAVE:

PROTEIN: Meat, poultry, fish: 100-150g per meal, but relish the chicken skin and savour the fat on a juicy steak. EGGS: Up to three a day. VEGETABLES: As many and as varied as possible.

FATS: A large handful of nuts (not peanuts) or -3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp butter, coconut oil or nut butter, ½ avocado, 3 tbsp full fat yoghurt, 3 tbsp cream or coconut cream, 30-50g cheese.

DRINKS: Water (6-8 glasses a day), tea and coffee (ideally with cream but no sugar). FRUIT: Berries 80g a day. CARBOHYDRATES: Avoid in weight-loss phase but, if you are active, enjoy one tennis ballsized portion (when cooked) per day of ‘dense’ vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, sweetcorn, peas, beans and pulses (lentils, beans and chickpeas) or ‘pseudo grains’ such as quinoa and buckwheat.