Slim Secrets

Feeling bloated after the festive season? Forget fad diets and learn to eat healthily instead. Read on for some herbal remedies that can help support your middle management.

We all know that the amount we eat and how regularly we exercise are key when it comes to shedding those excess pounds.  And sadly, there’s no quick fix. You can go on as many diets as you like but the chances are that as soon as you stop dieting the pounds will just pile back on.

To lose weight and keep it off for good you need to follow a balanced, healthy eating programme for life combined with regular daily exercise. Choose something you enjoy, like walking or cycling – and do it regularly to achieve a level of fitness that you can maintain on a day-to-day basis.

There are also several herbs that can help weight loss, by giving your metabolism a boost, or by helping you to feel full, and therefore less likely to reach for a biscuit or chocolate bar.

Garlic and artichoke are two of nature’s answers to high levels of unwanted blood fats, especially ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.  In fact, a study once indicated that a garlic supplement taken immediately after a fat-heavy meal helped to break down and ultimately reduce the amount of fat that the body would have kept in the circulating blood. 

A light sprinkling of cayenne on your food can help boost your metabolism as well.  It contains capsaicin, a natural ingredient that can help the production of saliva in the mouth, as well as stimulating digestive processes.

Super-herb St John’s wort may also have a role to play in helping weight loss, although the way in which this works is not yet clear.  Research does show, however, that it can improve self-esteem and banish feelings of low mood – both of which can occur if you’re not happy with your appearance.

Guarana too may promote weight loss by suppressing your appetite, but take care not to over do it. One of this herb's main ingredients is caffeine which stimulates the nervous system.  In the same way as drinking too much coffee can make you twitchy too much guarana can cause irritability.   

Nettle and dandelion are diuretics that encourage the body to remove excess fluid.  They are so-called ‘thermogenic’ herbs in that they help to speed up the body’s metabolism.  Uva-ursi and buchu help rid your body of excess fluid too, but weight loss associated with taking these herbs is likely to be temporary.

Psyllium may stop you over-eating.  It’s a natural source of fibre that is believed to help weight loss, especially when it’s taken before a meal, when it will help you to feel full.

TRY THESE

• Get your oats A natural way to satisfy your hunger for longer, oats help to regulate blood sugar levels as well as lowering LDL cholesterol and other fats.
• Drink green tea It’s rich in plant compounds called catechins that can speed up metabolism and regulate how fat cells behave.
• Portion watch Cutting portion size by just a quarter can significantly reduce the number of calories you consume. One of the easiest ways is to use a smaller plate - or better still a bowl.
• Write it down Keeping a food diary is one of the most effective ways to keep tabs on what you eat and can double weight loss, according to US research.
• Speed up Set yourself time limits in which to do ordinary tasks, like vacuuming the carpet, or weeding the garden.  Not only will you get more done, you’ll be surprised how energised you feel afterwards.
• Get fruity Drink a glass of fruit juice or eat a piece of fruit half an hour before meals. The sugar in the fruit will satisfy your calorie cravings and you'll end up eating less.