28-05-2025
'I've started eating 70p dish for weight loss and it's a total game-changer'
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I've always prided myself on maintaining a relatively healthy diet. Granted, I do have a penchant for sweets and chocolate, but my daily meals are generally not overly indulgent, unless I'm dining out.
However, despite my balanced eating habits, I confess there's a bit of extra weight I'd like to shed for the sake of my health and wellbeing. It's nothing drastic, but losing a stone would certainly boost my energy levels - something greatly needed when keeping up with an energetic toddler nearing his third birthday. Given that my diet is already quite wholesome, I was somewhat stumped as to how to create a calorie deficit to aid the weight loss.
As a full-time working mum, finding time for extensive exercise can be challenging, and reducing portion sizes leaves me feeling unsatisfied and grumpy. Therefore, I needed to devise a strategy to cut calories without drastically altering my current diet.
Feeling unsure of where to start, I sought advice from everyone's virtual confidant – ChatGPT – hoping it could provide some insight into how I might lose a stone.
ChatGPT offered several meal suggestions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that would help me consume fewer calories (approximately 1,400 – 1,600 per day) while still feeling satiated, thus increasing the likelihood of sticking to the plan.
(Image: Samantha Bartlett)
I must admit, one of its recommendations was a complete game-changer.
For breakfast, the plan proposed options such as Greek yoghurt with berries and granola, scrambled eggs with spinach and mushroom on wholegrain toast, and overnight oats with chia seeds, almond milk and strawberries.
Lunchtime meal ideas encompassed a grilled chicken salad with a wholemeal pita, a turkey breast wrap, and a tuna salad.
However, it was an evening meal suggestion that truly revolutionised my eating habits. The recommendation of cauliflower rice paired with stir-fried chicken, vegetables and light soy sauce has been a game-changer for me.
Initially, I had doubts about its taste, but after trying it with the suggested dish, chilli con carne, and other rice-based meals, I can confirm it's absolutely scrumptious.
(Image: Samantha Bartlett)
Moreover, it's good value for money as I purchase a frozen 4-pack of cauliflower rice from Tesco for £2.75, which works out at 70p per portion. It's also simple to prepare and packed with vitamins.
After consuming regular rice, I often feel somewhat lethargic, particularly in the evenings, but I've discovered that substituting it with cauliflower is gentler on my digestion and doesn't leave me feeling bloated.
In terms of maintaining a calorie deficit, it's also fantastic as it contains just 30 calories per serving, compared to the 175 calories in Uncle Ben's Mexican Rice, which I used to consume regularly.
I haven't been making the swap for long, so I don't believe it's had a significant impact on weight loss yet. However, I can envisage that if I adhere to the plan, it certainly would, given you're saving around 150 calories per portion of each meal.
Given it's such an easy substitution, I'd definitely endorse it if you're aiming to slim down a bit or even if you're simply trying to incorporate more vegetables and vitamins into your diet. You can thank me later!
