LOSE UP TO A STONE FOR SUMMER

A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY TO SHED THOSE LOCKDOWN POUNDS WITH

Packed with vitamins and minerals, bursting with summery flavours, yet affordable and easy to prepare, it’s no wonder that increasing numbers of us are basing more of our meals around vegetables.

You may be choosing to eat less meat (or cutting it out altogether) for health or ethical reasons, or perhaps you’re keen to take advantage of the disease-fighting properties that fruit and vegetables offer.

‘There are so many good reasons to embrace all the delicious seasonal fruit and vegetables that we associate with summer, and the fact that they will also help you to lose weight is an added bonus. It’s a winwin,’ says Julia Westgarth, head of programme at WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers.

‘Most fruit and vegetables are classed as having ZeroPoints on whichever myWW+ colour plan you choose to follow, because of their incredible benefits for your health — from boosting your immune system to helping to reduce your risk of certain cancers.

‘Fruit and veg are a fantastic source of fibre, which helps you to feel fuller and also aids digestion. Try to enjoy as many differently coloured varieties as you can.

‘It’s also quite hard to overeat veggies. This means you can enjoy them without worrying about weighing or portion sizes and they won’t count towards your daily SmartPoints budget.

‘We may not be able to travel as we’d like this summer, but there’s no reason you can’t recreate some of your favourite exotic meals at home using the vegetables, pulses, herbs and spices you’d find abroad.’

Let your thoughts drift to Italy as you sit down to a supper of lightbut-filling cauliflower risotto or imagine the sunlight on the Mediterranean as you savour a bite of olive and artichoke tart.

Or for something a little more exotic, try our creamy, aromatic recipe for pumpkin kale and coconut curry (see MyMail.co.uk for these and more delicious recipes).

all are featured in today’s exclusive selection of delectable vegetarian and vegan recipes as we continue our fabulous WW series to help you lose up to a stone — and a whole dress size — by the time lockdown restrictions finally end.

‘One of the best things about vegetable dishes is that they’re light yet sustaining, a far cry from the heavy cheese-and-stodge dishes we used to associate with vegetarian options in the past,’ says Julia Westgarth.

The myWW+ app is packed with a wide range of delectable, nourishing vegetarian and vegan suggestions for you to try at home.

You can also use the app to check the SmartPoints values of your own recipes: just tap in the ingredients and quantities and it will do the calculations for you.

‘Try experimenting with flavoured oils — using a spray of coconut or chilli oil instead of olive oil — and don’t forget to add texture with a few nuts and seeds or some crumbled feta cheese on top,’ advises Julia.

If you start today, you could have dropped a whole dress size by the end of June, and be well on the way to transforming your health and quality of life.

and who knows, you may also have discovered a new repertoire of delicious, vegetable-based dishes to enjoy with family and friends.