Drink & still shrink!

Do you hate missing out when you’re on a diet? Denying yourself can be tough at this time of year when the alcohol is flowing and treats are aplenty. So if you can’t imagine life without a glass of wine and a nibble of chocolate, then this eating plan is for you. You get to indulge every day and you’ll still lose weight – what’s not to love about that?

HOW IT WORKS

On this clever four-week diet plan, the calorie-count from each delicious meal allows enough leeway to enjoy a small glass of wine every single day and you’ll also get to satisfy your sweet tooth – all while staying on track to lose weight at a healthy rate of 1-2lb a week. This plan helps to manage hunger by keeping blood sugar and insulin levels under control. You’ll bloat less thanks to plenty of good fibre and that’ll help to stop your digestive system from becoming sluggish, too. That’s not all – thanks to potassium-rich fruit and veg, your waist won’t be as prone to the fluid-retaining effects of salt.

WHAT TO DO

1 Choose one healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

2 You’re also allowed 1 x 125ml glass of wine daily plus a few squares of 70% dark chocolate, three times a week.

3 If you’re still hungry between meals, snack on some delicious berries, vegetable crudités with salsa, or a handful of Brazil nuts, cashews or almonds.

A TREAT IN MODERATION

Surprised that wine gets the green light? Yes, alcohol can derail a diet if enjoyed in excess, but there are some benefits to having controlled amounts – in fact, allowing yourself a small treat will prevent cravings and could motivate you to otherwise eat healthily, says research*.

BREAKFASTS

✣ 2 Oatibix biscuits topped with one mashed banana.

✣ Porridge made with semi-skimmed milk, topped with 1tbsp crushed pecans and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

✣ Poached egg on a small slice of seeded toast with a tiny scrape of butter, plus grilled mushrooms. Half a grapefruit.

✣ Half a cored, crisp apple, spread with 3tsp tahini or peanut butter.

Plus 100g 0% fat Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey.

✣ Bowl of strawberries with 150g 0% fat Greek yogurt and 1tbsp of any toasted seed mix.

✣ Whizz up 200ml of skimmed or almond milk, 1tbsp wheatgerm, 100g fresh or frozen berries, 2tsp clear honey and 1tbsp almond or peanut butter to make a smoothie.

✣ 2 soft-boiled eggs, with one small slice of seeded toast