Want to lose weight?

Always at this time of year many people are looking at ways to reduce weight and improve fitness. Unfortunately, it is also that time of year when many foolish diets and detox plans are released. You will have heard me say how important it is for your health to focus on the quality of the food that you eat rather then quantity or calorie counting. Now the Harvard School of Public Health has found that the biggest impact on people losing weight is indeed to focus on the quality of what you eat, especially the carbohydrates, rather then how much you consume. It was found in this study that the biggest factor was to reduce sweetened drinks, refined grains, white bread and rice and low fibre cereals. Increasing natural foods such as whole grains, vegetables, nuts, yoghurt and avoiding processed foods was seen to lower weight. Furthermore, those who slept between 6-8 hours a night gained less weight compared to those sleeping less than 6 hours or over 8 hours. This study tracked 100,000 people over 20 years. Losing weight- well you know, eat well and move often.

Science is also clear that you can’t detox the body through faddy diets and products- this is reviewed this month in the British Society of Biology. Of course, the best way is to reduce the numbers of toxins going in and exercise and sleep well!

Kevin, 20 December 2011