A-Z weight-loss tips
Artificial sweeteners should be banned from your diet. In many studies done on humans and animals artificial sweeteners encouraged the appetite and cravings for sweet and fatty foods! Not an ideal situation when you are trying to lose weight.
Breakfast, it is important not to skip it. If you skip breakfast studies show that later on in the day you are will be more likely to want a fatty and/or sugary snacks or just eat too much.
Chocolate – the average chocolate found on the shelves is generally 27% cocoa leaving a huge 73% of processed fats and sugar. If you are finding it very hard to stop eating chocolate – change 70 to 80% cocoa leaving only 30 to 20% fats and sugars or take magnesium supplements.
Dried fruits contain soluble fibre and can be used instead of sugar, so if you have a strong need for something sweet – instead of candy have a date. Dried fruit can also help to prevent constipation unlike sugar.
Eating out. A mistake a lot of people make is “on a diet” is to eat very little or nothing during the day as you are going out to eat that evening. By the time you get to eat you are starving, and blood sugar levels are low. Studies reveal you end up eating much more than you intended, especially all the wrong types of foods. It is also the worst time of day to be eating so much.
Fresh fruits. The high fibre, fluid and nutrient content in fruit helps your body remove toxic waste and fat. Their high fibre content gives you a feeling of fullness. Apples contain high levels of a fibre called pectin which is very cleansing, especially for cellulite.
Fresh fruit is an important source of enzymes. It has been found over weight people tend to have less enzyme activity.
Green tea has been found to encourage the metabolism, with the added bonus of being high in anti-oxidants
High fiber foods are a must – they stabilize blood sugar levels, are much more filling, help the body detox, balance hormones, ensure the bowels are functioning correctly, and feed the correct bowel flora.
Ice cream – is out of the question. If you can’t live without it, buy an ice-cream maker use natural yogurt and fresh fruit and make your own.
Juice of a lemon, add to your food to give more flavour to salad dressings and marinades. Half the juice of a lemon in a little warm water first thing in the morning is excellent for encouraging the liver to cleanse.
Kelp, is a seaweed (it can be taken as a supplement in capsules, tablets, tincture or dried used in cooking) it seems to help (as part of a healthy diet) a lot of people lose weight.
Lean protein – eat protein on a regular basis as it helps to maintain blood sugar levels and hence stabilize appetite. Lean meat, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, organic tofu, natural plain yogurt etc
Meals - it is extremely important NOT to skip any meals. Blood sugar levels can only be maintained by eating the right foods on a regular basis. It is important to keep everything on an even keel.
Nuts make a really good snack but must be eaten raw to get the benefit of their health giving properties. They contain ‘essential fatty
Juice of a lemon, add to your food to give more flavour to salad dressings and marinades. Half the juice of a lemon in a little warm water first thing in the morning is excellent for encouraging the liver to cleanse.
Kelp, is a seaweed (it can be taken as a supplement in capsules, tablets, tincture or dried used in cooking) it seems to help (as part of a healthy diet) a lot of people lose weight.
Lean protein – eat protein on a regular basis as it helps to maintain blood sugar levels and hence stabilize appetite. Lean meat, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, organic tofu, natural plain yogurt etc
Meals - it is extremely important NOT to skip any meals. Blood sugar levels can only be maintained by eating the right foods on a regular basis. It is important to keep everything on an even keel.
Nuts make a really good snack but must be eaten raw to get the benefit of their health giving properties. They contain ‘essential fatty acids’. These are known to increase metabolism and aid in the breakdown of body fat. Unlike roasted peanuts which are very fattening.
Oily fish especially contain plenty of omega 3 ‘essential fatty acids‘ stabilising appetite.
Plenty of beans and lentils are very filling, being very high in fibre with the added bonus of being extremely low in fat.
Quench that appetite – one of the reasons you can’t quieten your appetite or cravings can be due to the body lacking enough vital nutrients. Some are essential to the body and the body will continue to search – start eating a diet rich is nutritive foods and you will begin to quell your appetite.
Rice, brown rice (integral) contains plenty of nutrients and fibre and is also low in fat while white rice has had most of its nutrients and fibre removed. Brown rice is also much more filling than white rice.
Study labels and the ingredients. Read the label very carefully, checking the sugar content. Sugar is often used in large amounts in foods to give them flavour and often texture. It is important you know what you are eating.
Taste buds can be re-educated given a little time and perseverance.
Ultimately, you need to get moving do some form of exercise, whatever suits you.
Vegetables – fill yourself up with all sorts of vegetables. They are low in fat and low in calories. They are a rich source of fibre and healing nutrients. Few people eat enough.
Water, studies have revealed that most people are dehydrated and the brain gets confused between hunger and thirst. People often find themselves eating when in fact their bodies are crying out for water. Drink more water and you might find it much easier to lose weight.
X-rated avoid sugar beware it comes in many guises. You will need to read labels very carefully. Look out for words ending in -ose, Dextrose, Fructose, Galactose, Glucosa, Lactose, Levulose, Maltose, Sucrose. Or words ending in – ol, Mannitol, Sorbitol, Xylitol. Others – Corn Syrup, Concentrated Cane Juice, Malto dextrins.
Yogurt is a great food. It is quite low in fat, high in protein and calcium. Buy the natural unflavoured ones only (others contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, thickeners etc) and add your own fresh fruit. The good bacteria are very helpful in maintaining a good digestive system.
Zest for life – be positive and laugh more.
