Top tips to Cook Yourself Thin

Cook your favourite foods in a different way

Love roast chicken? Cook it pot-roast, Vietnamese style, and you won't fancy those fatty Yorkshires.

Don't free-pour oil

There are approximately 120kcals in a tablespoon of olive oil. If you just glug it in, you could be adding hundreds of calories to your meal. Measure it out.

When it comes to portions, size matters

Weigh out your pasta, monitor your meat and keep those trimmings trim. Guessing portions piles on the pounds. Measure everything out and you're instantly cutting your calories

Beware of booze

Lager has about 200 calories a pint - five of those is half your daily calorie allowance, before you've even thought about food.

Fizzy can mean fattening

Sugary soft drinks contain more than just air, at around 150 calories a pop.

Make your own treats

Satisfy your sweet tooth with home-baked cakes and brownies, padded out with something nutritious, like sweet potato.

Replace cream with yogurt

Non-fat Greek yoghurt and half-fat crème fraiche are great for replacing creamy textures for a fraction of the fat.

Shop out of your comfort zone

Head to an Asian supermarket and discover some fresh new flavours and foods that are naturally lower in calories.

Eating out doesn't mean eating out of control

Be honest with yourself in restaurants – do you need starter and dessert? And remember you don't have to clear your plate.

Swapping side dishes saves on calories

Are you ordering chips just because a burger looks naked without them? Habitual side dishes rack up the calorie content of a meal. If you're really hungry, add a side salad instead.

Cook in bulk

Freeze big batches of your favourite curries, stews and sauces to use when you're in a hurry. It will stop you being tempted by takeaway.

Know where your calories are coming from

Recognise your calorie pitfalls and tackle them, like halving portions if you're a carbaholic and adding variety with vegetables and salad.

Switch up your sweeteners

Try fructose or agave nectar, which are naturally sweeter than sugar so you don't need to use as much.

Stop making excuses!

People think they have no time to cook, but you can whip up a healthy dinner in five minutes.

Change the way you cook

It isn't necessarily what you cook that is making you fat, but the unhealthy way that you're cooking it; bake, steam and griddle food for lighter bites.