Posted May 2, 2012
Spice up your meals.
Capsaicin, a compound found in jalapeno, cayenne and other spicy peppers, stimulates stress hormones – such as adrenaline – and speeds up metabolism.
Choose eggs for breakfast.
Researchers in America tracked people on a low-cal diet and found that those who ate two eggs for breakfast lost 65 per cent more weight than those who had bread with the same number of calories. They shed the extra pounds because they felt fuller and ate fewer calories during the day. The good news is their cholesterol didn’t go up, either.
Eat low-fat dairy.
A study from the University of Tennessee showed that dieters on a six month programme who followed a high-dairy meal plan lost nearly twice as much weight (around 24lbs) as their non dairy-eating peers – and they shed more belly fat. Researchers suspect that three portions a day activate fat-burning mechanisms.
Feast on fiber.
Eat plenty of wholefoods, such as brown rice and organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beetroot, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli and seaweed are superb for detoxing – as are supplements algae spirulina and chlorella.
Say no to carbs at night.
Stay away from high-carbohydrate foods, such as processed snacks and those with lots of sugar. This is especially true before bedtime. If you must eat before hitting the hay, opt for fruits or veggies instead.