Rosalee Brown June is the month for weddings. Beautiful brides and grooms stand on the threshold of an unknown but hopefully blissful future.
Many brides, and even grooms, include a makeover in the wedding planning as they try to change their body sizes to fit into those perfect dresses or suits. They would like their wedding day to be picture perfect and so they develop a plan of action six months to a year in advance of the wedding date. They will start an exercise programme and overhaul their eating plans to achieve their goal. Many couples embark on this journey alone, but some seek the assistance of professionals such as dietitians, nutritionists and personal trainers.
Culinary skills
Fast forward to immediately after the wedding. The focus is now changing from pleasing the guests to the spouse. The wife is eager to show off her culinary skills and the groom is eager to please by giving gifts of sinfully delicious treats. There is not enough physical activity but probably long working hours because the expenses of the wedding must be taken care of.
The change in focus may bring bulging waistlines that threaten to destroy the marriage. A bulging abdomen, apart from being an ugly and unwelcome intruder, is uncomfortable, costly in new clothes and causes the love of your life to make comments that you know are half-truths about your nice round tummy or your pudgy manly girt.
It is also potentially the source of more trouble in the marriage, that of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even some of the cancers. This indeed is big trouble, with extra money being spent on the management of these diseases instead of future plans. But alas, this does not have to happen, here are some tips :
Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
Who can resist this sinfully delicious dessert of banana bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce from TGI Friday's restaurant and bar, but the nutritionist says that it will pack on pounds around the newly-weds' waistlines. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Mealtime tips
The cook in the family, be it wife or husband, should gather those special recipes designed to blow your spouse's mind and have an unending flow of juices early. Start practising with them before the wedding by reducing fat, tweaking sugar a little, using fresh herbs instead of the powdered variety, and having her/him try them when you make those special treats.
Improve your skills at salads, as these can also be the focal point of meals.
Try new methods of cooking, for example, stir-frying, grilling, baking in the toaster oven, microwaving etcetera.
Attend a cooking class together and learn new methods of cooking.
Include in your plans ways to stay healthy, so you can be with each other forever.
