Cut calories

Cut calories

A gram of fat contains twice as many calories as a gram of carbohydrate or protein. Reduce high-fat foods in your diet, choose lower or fat-reduced options, use cooking oil and spreads sparingly and remove excess fat from meat.

Include lower calorie options in your diet, such as fruit and vegetables. Bulky fibre-rich foods are also a good choice.

Try switching from white to wholemeal bread, or choose a wholegrain breakfast cereal.

Think about portion sizes

Portion sizes have increased over the years, especially when it comes to ready meals and snack foods. This means we're consuming extra calories, but we adapt quickly to eating bigger portions and don't tend to feel fuller as a result.

Downsize potatoes, pasta, rice and fatty and sugary foods, and super size fruit and vegetables.

Watch what you're drinking

Cut sugar-rich drinks and alcohol, and instead choose water, tea, coffee or artificially sweetened drinks.

Sugary drinks add extra calories to your diet but don't make you feel full or satisfied.

Keep a balanced diet

Remember the principles of a balanced diet - include plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day), unrefined foods with more fibre, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.