by Alwin Templar

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

We all know of someone who can apparently eat anything they want and never put on that extra pound. Their secret is usually put down to them having been born with a strong metabolism, yet this is something of a myth. People who are naturally slim will certainly have a healthy metabolism, but this is not just down to fortunate genetics. Their metabolism is healthy because of the way they live and, more particularly, the healthy relationship they have with what they eat.

The key to healthy eating is in being able to recognize when the natural appetite is satisfied and not continuing to eat simply for the pleasure of eating. Processed foods are created to tempt us to do just that and we happily oblige by munching on until our stomachs are fit to burst. This isn't healthy for body or mind. Naturally slim people concentrate on what they eat when they eat, learning to enjoy the subtle flavours of their food and not relying solely on a feeling of fullness to satisfy them.

Subtle natural flavours are at a premium these days, especially when so much glossy advertising of processed food products can make us forget how easy and beneficial it can be to prepare our own healthy meals rather than buy microwave meals in cartons. Cooking our own food, at least some of the time, does not involve slaving over a hot stove for hours on end. Simple and delicious meals composed of natural ingredients are easy and quick to prepare. Fresh vegetables, pulses, herbs, fish, pasta and rice are not only good for us, they are cheap to buy and from them we can produce any number of delicious combinations. And all this with not an additive in sight.

And by eating wholesome additive-free meals we can begin to normalise our eating habits and not overeat our way to ill health and lethargy. Our digestive system wasn't designed to be filled to overflowing. Doing so creates all manner of digestive problems in the short term and possibly more sinister problems in the long term. We should never fill the stomach more than half full at any time. Eating little and often normalises our digestive system and allows us to extract maximum energy from what we eat, thereby giving us more energy and also the urge to use it.

Sedentary lifestyles are the cause of so many health problems these days, yet becoming more active does not mean we must join a gym or train for a marathon. We should simply learn to walk more and stretch more. A brisk walk at any time of the day, preferably outdoors, can do us a power of good. Not only does it correct bad posture but it gets our lungs working and our blood pumping yet without the need for a shower afterwards. Even if we are tied to a desk all day there is no excuse not to go for a wander now and again to clear the head and invigorate the system.

There is no magic diet that will transform us unless we overhaul our entire attitude to the food we eat, yet this need not be difficult. Good wholesome food eaten in sensible quantities, fresh air and moderate exercise will lead to a slimmer body and increased energy levels. This in turn will create the urge to be more active and this urge will make us even slimmer. That is why naturally slim people are the way they are. They have simply realised that good habits are as easy to adopt as bad ones.

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