The latest research shows that the very best way of losing weight is to follow a low-fat, high-carbohydrate, high-fibre diet and to increase your level of exercise.

Basic diet plan

Breakfast	1 serving of fruit 1 glass of orange juice ½ cup of bran-rich cereal ½ a cup of low-fat milk OR ½ cup of low-fat yoghurt 1 teaspoon of honey on cereal Tea, coffee, or cocoa with ¼ cup of low-fat milk Variations Substitute two slices of whole-wheat toast for the cereal, plus two teaspoons of medium-fat margarine and two tablespoons low-fat cheese (substitute one poached egg for cheese, but only three to four times a week).
Lunch	2-4 servings of bread 2 double-slice, whole-wheat sandwiches with 2 teaspoons of medium-fat margarine 2 servings of meat/cheese 2-4 teaspoons of grated low-fat cheese OR 2 thin slices of meat without fat (60g) 1 serving of vegetables Lettuce, tomato, cucumber 1 serving of fruit Banana/apple/orange/grapes Tea or coffee with ¼ cup of low-fat milk OR 1 glass of fruit juice Variations Low-fat yoghurt with 2 fruits OR 2 thin slices of meat, like chicken breasts, with 2 cooked vegetables (beans/peas/butternut) and 2 fruits (no desserts).
Supper	2 servings of meat/cheese 2 slices of low-fat meat (chicken breasts, beef) (50 g) 2 servings of starch 1 large baked potato 2 vegetables ½ cup of cooked carrots and ½ cup of salad 2 teaspoons of fat 1 teaspoon of low-fat yoghurt dressing for potato and 1 teaspoon of low-oil dressing on salad 1 fruit Apple/banana/grapes Tea, coffee or cocoa with ¼ cup of low-fat milk

Low-fat diet recommendations

• Skimmed milk, and milk products, e.g. yoghurt and cottage cheese made from skimmed milk.
• Low-fat cheese, e.g. mozzarella, edam and tilsiter.
• Unrefined cereals, e.g. whole-wheat, brown or rye bread, brown rice, unrefined maize meal, bran-rich breakfast cereals, oats, maltabella, crisp breads, pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, noodles).
• Fresh and preferably raw fruit and vegetables, canned or frozen vegetables, dried fruit.
• Boiled or poached eggs, restrict to 4 per week.
• Small portions of meat, chicken or fish with all the visible fat cut off and prepared by grilling, steaming or pan baking without added fat.
• Legumes, e.g. cooked dry beans, peas, lentils and vegetable protein meat replacers, e.g. Toppers.
• 2 tablespoons of fat-reduced margarine with a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, or sunflower, avocado or canola oil, or low-oil dressing.

Diet tips

• Eat these low-fat foods in moderation and the fat cells will start to disappear.
• Cut down on alcohol intake to save on kilojoules and lose weight fast. Stick to one glass of red wine or whisky per day.
• Always read food labels to check how much fat a specific product contains.

Foods to avoid

• Processed foods: read the labels and see how much fat they contain.
• Food preparation methods that add fat to food, like frying. Sauces made from meat drippings and commercial dressings made with oil and eggs, e.g. mayonnaise (use low-oil dressings).
• Processed meats such as polony, ham, bacon, sausages, pies and sausage rolls (use reduced fat meat products).
• Cakes, pastries, biscuits, vetkoek, "koeksisters" (twists of dough deep fried and soaked in sugar syrup), refined rusks and chocolate.
• Hard or high-fat cheeses, e.g. gouda, cheddar, camembert and parmesan.
• Full-cream milk products, ice cream and commercial puddings.
• Coffee creamers, milk blends, cream, suet, lard.

Exercise

Burn up more energy by starting to exercise, but just check with your doctor first if you can participate in an exercise programme.

Regular brisk walking/running in the fresh air is probably the most pleasant and healthy form of exercise. Start gradually and increase how long and how actively you walk or run over a period of time. Enjoy.

If you prefer working out, or doing aerobics, join a good gym.

Regular swimming, cycling, tennis and squash are also excellent ways of increasing your energy output and firming the body. - (Dr I.V. van Heerden, registered dietician)

To combine this with a great exercise programme, click here.

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