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Diet Plan for weight loss

A weight loss diet is completely individual depending on the needs, goals, and preferences for each person. Some people enjoy a diet of whole, unprocessed foods with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Others find that a meal replacement diet works best, by including meal replacements and diet shakes for weight loss in their usual food plan. It goes without saying that prioritising your health is a solid foundation for any diet plan. Many people have a lot of success with a diet plan that feels comfortable and easily sustainable. Of course, results differ from person to person – it is always a good idea to check with your GP if you have questions about how to lose weight and choosing the ideal diet for your body’s needs.

Another popular diet that many people have gotten positive results with is a fasting diet. In various traditions and cultures around the world, fasting is used as a tool for not only physical purposes, but also mental clarity and a general sense of wellbeing and connectedness. A diet plan where you abstain from eating for periods of time has the advantage of being very simple and allowing you to save time on food preparation and eating, which really comes in handy in a modern, busy lifestyle. There are many variations of fasting diets, such as an intermittent fasting diet like the 5:2 diet, where you eat close to maintenance level on five days of the week and then restrict your caloric intake for two days.

At Nupo, we suggest the 2:5 diet or On & Off Diet if you want to fast, since you can easily adjust the periods of time when you eat regularly and then when you limit your caloric intake to suit your individual needs. When consuming Nupo on fasting days, you are ensured to get all the nutrients your body needs making it easier to keep to the plan.

No matter which method you decide to try, a nice complement to most every diet is to ensure you drink enough fluids so that you stay well-hydrated. Of course, physical activity is also a key ingredient for maintaining physical fitness and a healthy condition. Although you can definitely achieve weight loss through a diet plan alone – simply by reducing the number of calories you eat to be less than what you expend in a day – building muscle mass can help you to burn calories more efficiently and can contribute greatly to overall health. For this reason, some people opt to go with a muscle gain diet plan where they focus on getting enough protein. With so many different types of diet plans to explore, you can notice what calls to you and discover just what kind of diet is most aligned with your lifestyle.

A diet for each and everyone 

Some food plans that are medically prescribed for specific conditions also function as a diet that helps to shed extra kilos, such as the Keto diet. Other diets serve to alleviate physical symptoms while also supporting a healthy body weight, like an anti-inflammatory diet which includes foods like olive oil, tomatoes and salmon that help to fight inflammation in conditions like arthritis and can also help prevent heart disease and diabetes.

A gluten-free diet is a necessity for people with the autoimmune disease known as celiac’s disease but can also help relieve various symptoms in people who are sensitive to the gluten you find in wheat and starchy foods like bread. Some people choose to adhere to a diet plan for ethical reasons as well as health. For example, a vegetarian diet plan is a plant-based diet that does not include meat or fish. Taking the concept even further, a vegan diet plan cuts out all animal products altogether, including dairy products, eggs, and honey.

For people who need to supplement with specific nutrients, a meal replacement diet plan can help to ensure that the body’s requirements are met. If your protein intake is low or you are looking to build muscle mass, then a protein bar or meal replacement high in protein can help you hit your nutritional goals. When you are looking for a diet to suit your individual needs, it is fortunate that there are so many different types to choose from to suit a seemingly endless range of preferences, goals, and physical needs.

A healthy lifestyle

Health, as a lifestyle commitment, is a great foundation for sustainable weight loss. There are a whole host of benefits from losing excess body fat and maintaining a healthy weight for your height as a result of a sound and balanced diet. Feeling lighter and more confident in the way you look are additional benefits. Even if you are thinking more about fitting into your favourite trousers than improving your health and being less at risk for certain diseases and conditions, whatever diet plan works for you and keeps you motivated is effective.

An ideal diet for weight loss is a simple and efficient diet that suits your preferences and condition. For many, an ideal diet plan might be one that can have quick results – but the fastest route is not always the most healthy or sustainable way to go about it. If you keep yourself and optimal health as the main priority, you can reframe the word “quick” to mean the most efficient for your body’s natural rhythm. This reframing allows you to focus on self-care and not feeling pulled to compare your progress with others. When you find out what motivates you, it’s good to stick with it on your journey to finding a diet plan that is healthy and sustainable.

The formula for weight loss is always the same: the number of calories consumed, needs to be fewer than the number of calories burned. This means that no matter what you eat – whether it is meal replacement shakes or other kinds of diet food or even your favourite goodies – as long as your daily caloric intake is less than your daily energy expenditure, you are bound to lose weight. As you can see from the many types of diets and food plans, there are many ways and methods to go about sustainable weight loss while improving your overall health.

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Weight loss – a growing challenge

Over the past few decades, the number of people who are overweight has increased exponentially. Being overweight is a condition that is defined by a person being at a weight that is high enough to present a health risk, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity is the term for when someone is excessively overweight. Although there are a great number of factors that contribute to weight gain, it is generally caused by a caloric intake that is too high for the energy a person burns. This means that they are eating too much for the amount of activity they do. To put it in a simple equation, calories in, equals calories out, so the number of calories you eat needs to be less than what you burn in order to lose weight.

Carrying extra body weight has many negative consequences. The excess kilos put a strain on the body and can contribute to sickness and disease over time, e.g. high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and type II diabetes, which are all serious conditions that are health effects of being overweight or obese. Many people might be concerned about how they look and search for the best way to lose belly fat to fit in to those favourite jeans, but there are more critical reasons that support healthy benefits of a weight loss. Even with a smaller weight loss, a person can be at a lesser risk for a number of health conditions. The quality of life can be much higher when you are at a healthy weight for your body.

The best way to lose weight

In a nutshell, to lose weight you need to burn more energy than you take in. Doctors generally recommend eating healthy meals for weight loss, including a balanced diet of a variety of whole foods, with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats. They advise you to be mindful of calorie intake, listen to hunger and fullness cues, exercise regularly, drink enough water and get adequate, quality sleep.

However, some people still prefer to kickstart their weight loss and to go on a restricted diet plan for a period of time. They may consider a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) which consists of a maximum of 800 calories per day, in a nutritionally balanced way. How many calories to lose weight for your particular body type depends on how much you burn in a day. It depends on your height, age, condition and how much you exercise. If you have any questions or concerns about a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) consult your GP before starting this type of diet.

What should I eat to lose weight?

The most successful way to lose weight is to make lifestyle changes and have a clear idea of how much you need to drop and a realistic timeframe to achieve that goal. Official dietary guidelines recommend eating a balanced diet with moderate portions, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, 350 grams of fish per week, and whole grains. They also encourage staying hydrated and to be mindful of both salt and saturated fat intake. When trying to lose weight, it is also helpful to keep an eye on sugar intake, and to avoid using sweets and desserts as a reward.

Diet food in the form of meal replacements can be a great way to kick-start weight loss, or just as a convenient way to grab a quick meal that provides ample nutrition. Some complete diet replacements are designed to replace all your daily meals – whether it’s diet shakes, diet meals or diet soups. Alternatively, you can also use diet foods to replace a portion of what you eat in a day. Diet foods like these offer a simple and convenient way to manage your weight in a busy, everyday lifestyle while ensuring that you get all the necessary protein, fibres, vitamins and minerals.

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Vegetable snacks with pea dip

Snacks are almost impossible to avoid. We like to snack! However, we also know that snacking is one of those irritating habits that has a way of making it difficult to maintain our weight. A good way to revert these bad habits are by simply replacing our snack time with healthy options. The crunch of the vegetables and the taste of the dip can quite often do the trick. Here’s one suggestion for a very healthy snack.


You’ll need:

1 bell pepper
¼ cucumber
1 carrot
1 celery bundle
40 g frozen peas
½ large garlic clove
2 tsp. Greek yoghurt, 2%
A pinch of sea salt
A little fresh ground pepper

How to prepare:

Pour boiling water over the peas so they thaw. Blend them together with the pressed garlic and Greek yoghurt. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cut the vegetables into long pieces or sticks. Prepare on a small plate or take it with you to work as a snack. You can also use it as an accompaniment to your dinner.

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Snack asparagus with turkey bacon

This appetizer or side dish is so easy to make, it’s hard to believe how tasty it is.  It is just a classic but it is also look elegant on any plate. The full texture and rich flavor, bacon wrapped asparagus is always a party-favourite.


You’ll need:

1 bundle of green asparagus
1 pack of turkey bacon

How to prepare:

Set your oven to 200 C°. Rinse the asparagus, then wrap one piece of turkey bacon around 3-4 pieces of asparagus. Place in the oven at 200 C° for about 15 minutes or until crispy.

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Egg Muffins

These Egg Muffins are not only delicious they are also the perfect protein-packed breakfast. In addition, eggs are an excellent source of protein and one of the best health benefits is their ability to improve cardiovascular by reducing the risk of heart disease.


You’ll need:

10 eggs
2 tomatoes
1 leek
A bundle of scallions
200 g spinach
200 g turkey bacon
1 tsp. oil
1 tsp. salt
½ bundle of chives

Equipment: 12 silicone muffin forms

How to prepare:

Set your oven to 200 C°. Heat up some oil in a pan and fry the bacon until crispy. Whisk the eggs in a bowl and add salt. Cut the scallions, tomato, and leek into small pieces. Chop the spinach and add all of the vegetables, the small bacon pieces, and milk into the bowl with the eggs. Use the egg mixture to fill the muffin forms, and garnish with scallions. Bake in the oven at 200 C° for about 12-15 min.

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Baked Pumpkin Pieces

Pumpkin is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Scientifically, pumpkin is a fruit, because it contains seeds. However, it is nutritionally more similar to vegetables than it is to fruits. With its delicious taste,  pumpkin is nutritious and linked to many health benefits: Rich in vitamin A, contains antioxidants, such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants can neutralize free radicals that can damage your cells. They are also high in potassium, vitamin C and fiber.

Pumpkins are what we consider weight-loss friendly food, which means that they are very low in calories, but still packed with nutrients.


You’ll need:

1 Hokkaido pumpkin
1 tbsp. olive oil
A dash of sea salt
A little thyme and rosemary
A little fresh ground pepper

How to prepare:

Set the oven to 200 C° convection. Peel the pumpkin and cut it in half. Remove the seeds from the pumpkin and then cut into smaller pieces. Brush with oil and then season with salt, pepper, and spices. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the pumpkin pieces are golden brown.

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Raita

Raita means an Indian side dish made of yogurt, usually diced cucumber, and seasonings. A dressing or dip you can use for so many different dishes. The bonus is that it is so easy to make yourself.

You’ll need:

250 g Greek yoghurt (2%)
½ cucumber
3 large tomatoes
1 large garlic clove
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
a little fresh ground pepper

How to prepare:

Cut the cucumber and tomato into small cubes. Mix them into the yoghurt and add grated garlic, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.

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Beef skewers

Beef skewers are always such a treat. Whether you are cooking in-doors or are outside grilling, skewers just look festive and taste delicious. You can cook basically any vegetables with them. Make a nice salad or serve with corn-on-the-cobb. The possibilities are endless! Here’s our suggestion – Hope you will enjoy!

You’ll need:

450 g ground beef (max 7%)
1 large onion
1 bundle of parsley
1-2 chili peppers
2-3 large garlic cloves
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt and pepper
2 tbsp. olive oil
2-3 red onions

Equipment: 8 wooden skewers

How to prepare:

Chop the onion, chili, and parsley into small pieces. Mix together the ground beef and vegetables. Mix in shredded garlic, cumin, and salt and pepper. Form small meatballs out of the mixture. Heat oil on a pan and fry the meatballs for about 5 min on each side until they gain a crispy crust. Peel and chop the red onions into bite sized pieces and fry them on a pan until they become golden. Make the skewers with 3 meatballs and 2 onion slices each.

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Kale Salad

The health benefits of kale. Kale is considered some of the most nutritious food there is. Kale contains very little fat, but a large portion of the fat there is in Kale, is an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic-acid. Kale is very high in antioxidants. It is an great source of vitamin C and vitamin K. Kale is incidentally also a great source of minerals, something that most people do not get nearly enough of. Kale is a weight loss friendly food, because it is very low in calories, but has a lot of fulness that can help you feel full – and healthy.

You’ll need:

250 g kale
100 g pomegranate seeds, fresh
½ Hokkaido pumpkin
45 g walnuts
50 g feta cheese (17% / 40+)
A pinch of salt and pepper


How to prepare:

Set the oven to 200 C° convection. Peel the squash and cut it in half. Remove the seeds from the squash and cut it into smaller pieces. Season with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the squash pieces are golden brown. Chop the walnuts into large pieces. Mix the kale and squash pieces in a bowl and top with pomegranate seeds.

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Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad is a stable in most homes and a dish you can easily prepare yourself and enjoy often. The type of meat from the chicken you use will impact nutrition. If you use breast meat (as opposed to dark meat or chicken cooked with the skin on) the salad will have less cholesterol and saturated fat. This salad can be composed of so many different products and put together after your own preferences. This is just one recipe.

You’ll need:

125 g chicken fillet
1 tbsp. olive oil
A dash of paprika and thyme
A pinch of salt
5 radishes
5 cherry tomatoes
A small handful of corn salad
2-3 leaves of lettuce
(optional) A few edible flowers for garnish

How to prepare:

Heat up the oil in a pan. Season the chicken with salt and the spices, and fry in the pan. Chop the vegetables and place on a plate with chicken. (Optional) Top with edible flowers.