1. Eating breakfast prevents the mid-morning munchies. If you don’t have time before you go to work, eat breakfast at your desk.

2. Mini-packs of breakfast cereal make excellent dry snacks. Each pack has about 150 calories (1½ Units). Compare labels and choose those that are lower in sugar and higher in fibre, as these are low GI.

3. If you love fry-ups, swap fried bread (1½ Units) for 1 slice of wholegrain toast (½ Unit), a sausage (1½ Units) for grilled tomatoes (0 Units), bacon (1 Unit) for grilled mushrooms (0 Units) and a fried egg (2 Units) for a poached egg (1½ Units). That’s swapping 6 Units for only 2 Units!

4. Opt for slimline bacon buttties by making them with a small wholegrain roll, no butter, 1 slice of lean grilled bacon, a small amount of ketchup and a few slices of fresh tomato - all for 3 Units.

5. When the lure of chocolate or crisps proves too powerful to resist, limit the damage by choosing snacks under 150 calories (3 Units). But remember: low-calorie snacks and hearty meals are healthier than filling snacks and light meals.

6. If you fancy munching a snack in front of the TV, why not try homemade popcorn with a sprinkling of cinnamon or paprika for flavour, instead of salt, sugar or butter.

7. Always serve a post-work gin and slimline tonic (1½ Units) in a tall glass. You’ll drink less as it looks more! Or if you drink white wine, order a bottle of sparkling water and a tall glass with ice along with your wine for a refreshing spritzer (2½ Units per 250 ml bottle wine).

8. Avoid bumper packets of food. You’ll get through them in the same time.

9. If you move in with your partner and suddenly put on weight – a familiar scenario – try using a smaller plate. Your brain will think that you’re eating similar-sized portions.

10. If you can’t resist chocolate, make yourself a low-calorie chocolate drink (½ Unit).

11. Healthier dessert options include meringues with fresh fruit and yoghurt (2½ Units), low-fat rice pudding (1½ Units for 150g) or sugar-free jelly with fruit (½ Unit).

12. Still want ice-cream? Buy a Muller Light yoghurt (200g pot) and freeze it. With flavours such as lemon cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, you’re bound to find one to tempt your tastebuds – for only 1½ Units each!

Click here to share your tips for cheating at healthy eating with other Unislimmers in the Unislim forum!

The \"smoothie\" - a quick, but sustaining breakfast. Many variations are possible using different combinations of fruits, milks and yogurts.

Ingredients

• 1 large, ripe banana
• 1 cup skimmed milk, chilled
• 1/2 cup 0% fat Greek yoghurt, well chilled
• 2 teaspoons honey
• few drops vanilla extract

Method

1. Peel banana and chop coarsely
2. Combine with remaining ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds or until smooth and thick.
3. Serve immediately.