Diet tips from a celebrity trainer

Yesterday we brought you the exercises the stars swear by and today we can reveal the top tips that celebrity trainer Ramona Braganza is giving her clients - from Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson to Halle Berry and Anne Hathaway - so they look their best for the Oscars on Sunday 24th February. In her own words, here’s how it’s done...

How to diet in the run up to a big event:

I always recommend that you eat three small meals, and have two snacks daily along with a minimum of 1 litre of water to keep your metabolism cranking. The day of an important event is no different - you need to eat something even if it’s small in size at least every 4 hours. That keeps late night sugar cravings away and gives you energy to do your day of work. Also, by eating frequently you keep the acid in your stomach from building up which can lead to gas/bloat.

Make sure you are including protein with every meal, a small piece of low fat cheese and an apple is a good snack as is hummus and celery. Combining protein with fibre keeps you feeling full longer and the protein is needed to keep your muscles looking toned.

If you decide to eat salads instead then make sure you include some protein, a small piece of fish is a good idea or a few shrimp. Even salads can make you feel bloated, roughage expands the stomach and doesn’t leaves you feeling hungry shortly after eating unless you include some protein.

Ensure your getting enough vitamins and antioxidants. Try adding Minvita Baobab Superfruit Powder into your diet by adding it to water, smoothies or even by adding it to morning porridge – Baobab offers six times more vitamin C than oranges, twice as many antioxidants than gojiberries and more iron than red meat.  

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Foods to avoid the day before a big event:

Refined (white) sugar/carbs: water binds to these foods and causes puffiness and low blood sugar equals fatigue.

Diet drinks or carbonated beverages can bloat

Diet foods (low fat cookies etc) - any foods that contain sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners can cause gas/bloating and dull skin.

Salty foods - these include foods with hidden sodium such as canned soups, pretzels, crisps

Alcohol can bloat

Fried foods

Dairy

Foods to have the day before a big event:

Make sure you drink lots of water – even being only 2% dehydrated can make you bloated. A good idea is to drink two litres of water the day before and at least one litre before you start getting ready for your event. Water flushes your system and keeps skin glowing.

Asparagus, fennel and cucumber help with debloating.

Another great trick is to add some lemon to your water it acts as a natural diuretic and then if you drink it with warm water it helps aid in digestion and reduces water retention. Ginger and Cinnamon are also great for digestion.