Keep your sweet tooth at bay

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December is a time when we sit back, enjoy life and over indulge. Sugar is on pretty served on tap over the festive period and now many of us are looking to make some sensible, healthy swaps.

This said, you don’t have to live on water and dry crackers to get healthy but we have to tell you, the only way to kick a sugar habit is to cut right back.

This won’t be easy but over time your body will crave sugar less and you will feel so much better.

We have had a look at some delicious alternatives to sugary snacks and drinks that will keep your cravings for the white stuff at bay.

Porridge with sliced fruit isn’t just a brain boosting breakfast but can also be a filling snack. Keep a stash at work and you won’t be tempted to reach for that chocolate cake.

If you want a healthy snack with a naughty edge, go for rice cakes with peanut butter and chopped banana.

Popcorn can be a great, healthy treat. We aren’t talking about the mega buckets at the cinema but instead fresh popcorn made at home with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Give it a go; we think you will like it, a lot.

Organic oatcakes with hummus and slices of cucumber make a protein packed snack that will keep hunger locked up until lunchtime.

Bananas are great on cereal and smoothies but peel and chop ripe ones into bite-sized chunks and you have crunchy treats that are full of Vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and a serving of fibre too. Frozen grapes are pretty good too.

For an on the run snack that is as easy to make as it to eat, go for homemade trail mix. Throw together coconut flakes, dried fruit, goji berries, raw ruts and seeds and you have an instant, delicious snack that will keep you away from the vending machine. Just watch portion sizes.

Keep a stock of frozen berries in the freezer and add them to low-fat Greek yoghurt for an evening treat. This tastes great but it’s low in sugar and high in protein so will keep you fuller, for longer.

Chunks of melon, strawberries and grapes make tasty fruit kebabs and top up that all-important five a day quota.

Pumpkin and sunflower seeds with a handful of nuts are a cracking combination.

For a real taste bud tingle go for an ice-cold smoothie packed with mango, banana, kiwi, cucumber, spinach, a splash of coconut milk and a little lemongrass. Delicious and refreshing.

Low fat milk with a little honey can give you the sweet hit you need without blowing the plan out of the water.

For a sugar free savory winner, how about sliced apple and pear with a layer of low fat cream cheese?

If you are having a bad day and only chocolate will do, we will let you have a square or two of good quality dark chocolate, but don’t eat it all.

Got a winning combination? Let us know what healthy snacks work for you.

Team Pure-Beauty

How to avoid the afternoon slump

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Far from being an urban myth, the 3pm slump is alive and kicking and something many people experience everyday.

You leave the house full of energy, get through your to do list by lunch but come mid-afternoon lethargy kicks in and you start to count the hours until bedtime.

The ‘afternoon slump’ has tradiontally been connected with big meals, as often seen in the TV hit, the Royale Family, but you can’t just blame food. Bad habits, lack of sleep, too little exercise and the wrong diet can all add to that feeling of mid-afternoon tiredness.

Whilst there isn’t a magic wand to kick the blues out of the way, there are easy lifestyle changes you can make to keep afternoon fatigue away and put the spring back in your step.

What you eat for breakfast will have an impact on how you feel for the rest of the day. A pastry and cappuccino from the station might be quick and easy, but it won’t do you, or your wallet, any favours in the long run. Toast with peanut butter, a vitamin packed smoothie or a wholemeal muffin with a scrambled egg and avocado will give you the fuel you need for the day ahead.

At lunchtime, enjoy a balanced meal and get up and go for a walk and get some fresh air. Both are often lost due to busy schedules but they can make the world of difference. Healthy lunch choices include brown rice, whole-grain bread or a baked sweet potato with lean proteins such as turkey breast, fish, chicken, tofu or cottage cheese. These filling combinations will top up your energy levels and stop your blood sugar dropping.

Sweet snacks packed with sugar are often used as a pick me up, but this is where people go wrong. Yes, have them as a treat from time to time, but they will actually contribute to a dip in blood sugar levels and leave you feeling sluggish. Stay away from vending machines and fizzy drinks and opt for a handful of unsalted nuts, carrot sticks with hummus, plain popcorn or rice cakes and almond butter.

Caffeine is another well used energy booster, but again, the initial buzz can lead to headaches and poor sleep. You don’t have to avoid tea and coffee altogether but aim to limit your caffeine consumption to no more than 400 milligrams a day; a regular cup of coffee contains 90 to 120mg. Not only can this help prevent afternoon dips but can also help you feel calmer and aid better sleep.

If you want to ensure optimum brain and body power, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help keep you hydrated and awake. Keep a bottle of mineral water with you when you are out and about and add lemon and cucumber to iced water at home to liven up the taste and add a little extra zing.

We all tend to be creatures of habit but making small, active changes to your routine can keep you feel more alert. Cycle to work, go to a dance class at lunchtime, take the stairs rather than the lift and walk across the office to talk to colleagues rather than sending an email.

If you work in at a desk, it is really important to pay attention to your posture and how you are sitting. Sitting up straight, having your computer screen at the right level, placing your feet flat on the floor and taking small breaks to walk and stretch, can all make difference to how you feel and how tired you are. Give it a go, we bet it makes a difference.

Keep a diary of the changes you make and how you feel and we are sure that in a week or two, you will be feeling happier and more energised all day long.

Team Pure Beauty