How to lose weight – 8 food swaps that will help you lose weight

Weight loss is easy when you know how. You don’t need to go overboard and dramatically drop your calorie intake, you just need to avoid overeating and eat as healthy as you can. Express.co.uk chatted to Signe Svanfeldt, nutritionist at nutrition app Lifesum (www.lifesum.com), to find out eight heathy food swaps that will help you lose weight.

A common mistake when losing weight is to eat as little as possible, but that isn’t necessary and could be harmful.

Signe said: “People tend to think that if they just eat a minimal amount of calories, they’ll reach their goal sooner. It’s really not that simple.

“Yes, you need to be on an energy deficit in order to lose weight, but too large an energy deficit can result in fatigue, nutrient deficiencies and osteoporosis.

“A steady, stable and healthy weight loss pace, where you ensure you get enough energy and nutrients, is key.”

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Whole grain pasta instead of white pasta

Whole grain pasta is a much healthier alternative to white pasta because it is filled with complex carbs rather than simple carbs, fibre, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Refined carbohydrates have been stripped of these nutrients during their processing, so you’re better off eating whole grain pasta.

Signe said: “Many think that pasta is a big no-no when you want to lose weight, but whole grain pasta is actually a great source of dietary fibre and protein. It’s all about the amounts!”

Whole grain bread instead of white bread

The same applies to whole grain bread, which is full of vitamins, minerals and fibre.

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Signe said: “Make sure to read the nutritional label, aim for high fibre, low sodium and sugar content.”

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Low-fat Greek yoghurt instead of fruit yoghurt

Low-fat and sweetened yoghurt barely tastes different, but there’s a huge difference in calories.

Signe said: “Many people aren’t aware of the high sugar content in sweetened yoghurt, which makes the calories rise without providing any more nutrients, and it won’t make you feel full for longer.

“It’s better to choose low-fat Greek yoghurt with a high protein content and top it with a fresh fruit or some nuts – then you get more food for the same amount of energy.”

Water instead of sugary drinks

Water has no calories and will quench your thirst like no other drink.

Signe said: “Some people drink fizzy drinks and sugary juices and squash when they’re thirsty.

“Swap these drinks with water, a more hydrating drink, and you’ll save a lot of energy to spend on nutritious food instead. Your body and teeth will thank you!”

If you are sick of drinking water every day, try drinking sparkling water with a slice of lemon, orange or cucumber.

Whole fruit instead of jam or marmalade

Ditch your sugar-filled jam and marmalade and use whole fruit instead.

Whether you’re making a cake, toast, sandwich, scone or anything else, there’s an easy way to make the treat less calorific.

Signe said: “Sliced fruit goes just as well on your sandwich instead of marmalade, and some chopped fruit is perfect in your porridge, instead of jam.”

Fresh fruit instead of sweets

Sometimes all you want is something sweet and sugary, but don’t reach for a bag of processed sweets.

Signe said: “Instead of that bag of sweets, slice up some fresh fruits – nature’s own delicious sweets!”