Lose Fat Eating Dinner!

As your final main meal of the day, it's important that you continue to eat sensibly in the evening, especially since at this stage of the day you are likely to be relaxing and unwinding. This means you will be burning fewer calories, so it is vital that the food you eat is easily digested.

To do this you will need to reduce the amount of grains that you put on your dinner plate, which includes rice, pasta, bread, potato and couscous. This is mainly due to the fact that you simply won't need so much energy from your food at this stage of the day. Instead you will want to eat a plentiful amount of vegetables, which are lower in calories but at the same time full of fibre, to keep you feeling satisfied. Aim to eat twice the amount of vegetables that you have at lunch and half the amount of grains.

This system is simple to remember, but it is important that you listen to how your body feels. If doing this makes you feel hungry or lacking in energy then slowly up the amount of grains that you serve yourself at each meal until a happy medium is reached.

If you find yourself out in the evening, but not at a restaurant, follow the advice given for lunchtime 'on the move'. Otherwise, there are a few basic rules that you want to try to abide by. Remember that eating out is a treat, so by all means enjoy the food that you eat, but still bear in mind that what you eat could set you back, if you do not order wisely.

Before ordering, avoid attacking the bread basket. Ask instead for a small bowl of olives.
Choose either a starter and main course, or a main course and pudding.
Avoid overeating.
For your starter go for a high protein option, such as a meat or fish dish.
Avoid doughy bread options.
For your main course try to order something light on sauce.
Grilled is better than fried.
Order something that you haven't already eaten that day, to add variety to your diet.
Make sure that your main meal comes with vegetables, otherwise order a side portion.
Go easy on rice and pasta in the evening.
Drinking wine is ok, but also order a bottle of still water to accompany your food.
(You won't drink so much alcohol and you will be doing your digestion a favour too).
Finally, when possible, avoid eating out late, and skip that late-night coffee.

For those of you at home for your dinner, try one of the following healthy options:

Grilled fish of your choice, mixed vegetables, small serving of Butter Bean Mash
Grilled chicken sprinkled with mixed herbs / ground pepper, with ratatouille and brown rice
Oven cooked salmon with cauliflower cheese
Tuna steak with lemon and lime dressing, steamed vegetables and quinoa
Vegetable stir-fry with meat or fish - the more vegetable variety, the better
Chilli Con Carne with red kidney beans, organic brown rice
Chicken Ramen - Miso soup paste mixed with water. Add vegetables and chicken strips (light)
Pan Fried Dover Sole with wilted spinach and lemon dressing, vegetables
Spice coated chicken with ratatouille and a sweet potato
Grilled steak, lentils (mixed with green curry paste) and spinach
Chicken and ginger vegetable stir-fry with noodles
Italian Seasoned Chicken with fettucine and asparagus
Salmon with basil and ginger, stir-fried noodles with crispy vegetables
Lamb mince bolognaise (add vegetables of choice) with a wholemeal pitta bread
Lamb chops with fresh mint, sweet potato mash and green beans
Chicken Fajitas - add a variety of vegetables and look for wholemeal fajitas.

REMEMBER: Go easy on your portion sizes. If in doubt, underestimate and then add more. Good luck and eating sensibly!

Simon Dainton is a Certified Personal Trainer and fat loss expert. Founder of Fitstreet Personal Training in the UK, his Programs of Lifestyle change guarantee clients results, combining effective exercise, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. For more information and to receive your FREE fat loss guide, go to http://www.fitstreet.co.uk/ For the latest fat loss news and tips, check out http://fitstreet.blogspot.com