You CAN tuck into takeaways ... just follow these orders

WHO doesn’t love the odd treat? I certainly do — but there’s no reason you have to punish yourself because you’re on a low-carb diet.

Food is almost always a part of major life events, such as weddings and milestone birthdays.

It’s also often central to simply socialising with friends. And it’s essential that you find a way to take part, so you don’t feel left out just because you’ve decided to adopt a new eating plan.

Apart from anything else, it will help you stay motivated to stick to a new lifestyle that should make you feel healthier, slimmer and happier.

If you’re carrying more weight than you should, or trying to manage type 2 diabetes, a treat needs to be just once in a while.

You need to change your mindset to accept this and alter the way you reward yourself.

on my high-carb diet, I used to reward myself with food all the time, from sugary cappuccinos to chocolate bars and Italian choux cream buns.

But following my diagnosis with type 2 diabetes in 2011, I had to take stock of my health — which included weighing 17st 7lb at my heaviest, my sight failing, nerve damage in my feet and arthritis.

After I discovered low carb and my health began to transform, I knew I had to change the way I treated myself.

Losing more than three stone and reversing my diabetes — along with feeling as though I had been granted a new lease of life — motivated me to keep going with low carb despite my sugar cravings.

I still allowed myself a mid-afternoon snack, but ditched sugary foods for a handful of walnuts with an apple or some berries, or a natural yoghurt.

Sometimes I allowed myself a couple of squares of 90 per cent dark chocolate, as this is relatively low in sugar, but still makes me feel I have had a treat. Dark chocolate is also a source of magnesium and antioxidants.

If you’re anything like me, you may find your palate changes as you include more fresh foods in your diet.

An apple could taste sweeter than you remember, for example. So might a glass of milk — the lovely, slightly sweet taste comes from a natural form of sugar found in dairy called lactose. Milk is also satisfying because of the fat and protein content.

QUICK AND EASY IDEAS FOR TASTY SNACKS

You don’t have to forgo snacks and picnic treats with low carb — just make sure you plan ahead so you’ll be ready with bite- sized morsels that don’t contain starch or sugar.

our favourite ideas include slices of turkey or chicken breast, olives or red peppers with a yoghurt-based dip. Prepare your own tzatziki with natural yoghurt, chopped mint and cucumber, for instance.

You could try rolling up ham with cream cheese inside. or how about some celery sticks with peanut butter as a protein-based, filling snack?

For a touch of luxury, we always have a punnet of strawberries or raspberries with some Greek yoghurt or a couple of squares of dark chocolate.

Make sure the chocolate contains around 90 per cent cocoa solids, and wrap up a couple of squares so you can’t eat the whole bar!

For a savoury option, you might enjoy 30g of mixed cheese cubes, salted pecans and olives.

You can always take a thermos of coffee to perk you up, too.

WHY DINING OUT ISN’T OFF THE MENU

When ordering in a restaurant, look for good-quality protein and vegetables. Don’t be afraid to ask for slight variations to the menu, such as ordering two starters rather than a main course, or requesting salad instead of chips.

You could also ask for the bread basket to be removed to discourage nibbling. Instead, snack on olives or drink water until the food arrives.

Puddings can be a challenge, so choose a coffee to finish your meal, or order fruit or cheese (without the crackers).

If the occasional takeaway is your guilty pleasure, reduce the overall carbs. have a curry, but not the rice or naan bread; order a kebab, not the pitta; or eat a burger, without the bun. Try asking for extra salad and low-carb vegetable dishes to bulk out your meal.

NOTE: Always consult your GP before starting a new diet plan, particularly if you take prescribed medication.