Author: Kirsten Amann
Photography by: Krista Photography

Whether you've been dreaming about your wedding day since you were a little girl or just started thinking about it as you plan, one thing becomes abundantly clear the minute you start envisioning the perfect wedding all eyes will be on you on The Big Day. No matter how low maintenance you may be in day-to-day life, every bride wants to look her best at the wedding. For many woman that entails looking fit and fabulous. Who better to help brides do it right than Liana Deloid, a Registered and Licensed dietitian?

We first met Liana when we interviewed her for Beantown Bride "Real Wedding" feature. (See Liana's wedding here) Liana has 5 years experience as a registered and licensed dietitian in Boston and holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. She recently got married and understands "the stress of planning a wedding plus trying to get fit." We caught up with her this summer to ask her advice about looking your best on your big day.

BB: How do you work with your clients to achieve their dietary goals?

LD: I have counseled clients of all ages to help individuals meet their health and wellness goals. It's important to have a good understanding of what the client's interests and goals are before making a plan. I individualize my nutrition plans to each client depending on their health issues, current weight, weight goals and lifestyle. I incorporate healthy eating, personalized meal planning and excerise to fit the client's plan.

BB: Brides often want to lose weight & tone up to look their best on the big day- is there a way to do this healthfully?

LD: Yes, there is. Information in the media can be expensive, confusing and misleading. Planning a wedding can be stressful and hectic, often causing couples to put their dieting/fitness aside. Trying to stay on track with nutrition and fitness goals is the key. Making small changes can have a big effect. Excessive dieting will not keep the pounds off an will likely increase the risk of greater rebound weight gain. Healthy eating and exercise are the best ways to lose weight and tone up.

BB: What about brides who can't "say no" to sweets, or for whom dieting isn't their thing?

LD: It's unrealistic to think that one can never have sweets. We're human and need to satisfy our cravings! Dieting implies short-term weight loss. It's really about changing one's lifestyle so that over the long-term one does not have to 'avoid' any one food. Portion control is crucial. Sometimes just giving in to that fix satisfies the person enough physically and psychologically so that they don't crave it anymore. Everything in moderation!

BB: Do you have any specific dieting advice for brides looking for quick results? Is low- carb the way to go?

LD: There are so many different fad diets out there. Dieting can be confusing and decieving. If it sounds too good to be true, that's likely because it is! Low-carb diets work quickly but like any other diet restriction, the initial weight lost is usually water. It's never healthy to restrict one whole food group (ie. carbohydrates) or only consume one food group to lose weight. The best way to lose weight is to exercise and follow a heart-healthy, reduced calorie diet. This will achieve and maintain weight loss. As a dietitian, it's part of our job to help clients determine what calorie level they need in order to lose and maintain their weight.

BB: Are there any minor dietary changes brides can make on a daily basis that will have a big impact over time?

LD: Yes, if you are not exercising, start moving! You can make small changes such as walking from the bus stop to your house, using the stairs instead of the elevator at work or walking during your lunch hour. Beverages can deceivingly increase calories without making you feel full. Cutting back on soda or drinking diet soda and limiting specialty coffee drinks (ie. lattes) can make a big difference. If you are eating out at restaurant a lot, this can also contribute to excess calories. Preparing meals yourself gives you the control of the ingredients and proper servings. Resturant portions are usually 2-3x the amount that you need at one serving and often contain excess butter and salt. If you aren't used to cooking, then start to share meals when dining out or take leftovers home!

Thanks to Liana's expert advice, now we know you can have your cake and eat it too and still look great on your big day!

*To learn more about Liana's services and how to hire her for private consultation email her directly.