5 Bizarre Weight Loss Tricks That Work

1. Sniff a banana, apple, or peppermint
You might feel silly, but it works. When Dr Alan R. Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost – an average of 30 lb each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you're actually eating it.

2. Hang a mirror opposite your seat at the table.
One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Seems having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.2. Hang a mirror opposite your seat at the table.One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Seems having to look yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you’re trying to lose weight in the first place.

3. Surround yourself with blue
There’s a good reason you won’t see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue: Believe it or not, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow, and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

4. Shoot your food
Rather than writing down every morsel, take a picture of it, and file the photos on your phone or computer by date. A visual account of your consumption may help you curb your intake. “Snapping photos and then looking back at them can make people stop and think before indulging,” nutritionist Joan Salge Blake says. It needn’t be a big production: your cell phone will do. Think about it: there you are at the salad bar, making a plate of vegetables. Don’t pat yourself on the back quite yet, though. A simple snapshot of your heaping dish may “show your extra helping of cheese or deep-fried croutons,” Joan cautions. A visual reminder might be just enough to give you pause next time before you ladle on the blue cheese dressing. -- Joan is a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Find other healthy eating tips in her book, Nutrition & You.

5. Tie yourself upYou could try fitness guru Valerie Orsoni’s “Le Petit Secret”: “A number of French women wear a ribbon around their waist and underneath their clothes when they go out for dinner. It keeps them conscious of the tummy—particularly if the ribbon starts to feel tighter as the evening goes on!”

Via Reader's Digest

Flatten Your Belly In One Week.

Season Food Differently
You may be attracted to your saltshaker, but water is too. When you take in higher-than-usual amounts of the salty stuff, you’ll temporarily retain more fluid, contributing to that sluggish feeling, a puffy appearance, and extra water weight. Avoid salt, overprocessed foods, and salt-based seasonings. Gans suggests you also ditch the frozen microwaveable meals while you’re de-bloating—they’re packed with sodium. Instead, she recommends a simple turkey sandwich or a salad with chicken for lunch this week. And eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are packed with water.

Trim Down Carbs
Stay away from heavy carbs such as bagels and pasta. When you decrease the carbs in your diet, you temporarily train your body to access stored carbohydrates called glycogen and burn them off, while also eliminating excess stored fluids.

Trim back on your daily carbs by having eggs for breakfast, making your sandwich open-faced with only one slice of bread, and packing protein-rich snacks such as turkey slices, low-fat string cheese, seeds, and nuts.

Switch Your Starch
If your belly bulges after a high-carb meal like pasta, complex carbohydrate-rich foods may be the cause of your bloat, says Jackie Wolf, MD, author of A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Stomach. Most starches, including potatoes, corn, pasta, and wheat, produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice is the only starch that doesn’t cause gas, so have a ½-cup serving of brown rice (which has more fiber) if you want carbs with dinners.

Stop Milking It
If you’ve ever felt gassy, crampy, or bloated after dairy, you might have lactose intolerant. This occurs in people whose bodies lacks the ability to break down and digest the sugar in milk, resulting in digestive issues like gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. Try lower-lactose foods (such as hard cheese or yogurt) or lactose-free dairy products (such as rice milk and almond milk), or take a lactase enzyme to help break down lactose. Dr. Wolf recommends soy milk as a dairy alternative but warns that some people experience gas and bloating from soybeans as well.




Make These Fruit Swaps
Wolf recommends you eat fruits that are kinder on your belly. Berries, grapes, and citrus contain a near-equal ratio of the sugars fructose and glucose, making them easier to digest than fruits with more fructose, such as honeydew, apples, and pears.

You can also eat canned fruits in natural juice or small portions of dried fruit, such as raisins and dried plums.

Hold The Hot Sauce
IF you love four-alarm food, lay off the Tabasco, barbecue sauce, and garlic for a few days while de-bloating. Spicy foods stimulate the release of stomach acid, causing irritation. Give dishes a flavor boost with in-season fresh or dried herbs such as dill, basil, mint, sage, tarragon, and rosemary. You can also use curry powder or lemon or lime juice—all perfect with fish or chicken. Also, steer clear of black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, chili powder, onions, mustard, horseradish, and acidic foods such as catsup, tomato sauce, and vinegar.






Ditch Diet Foods
Avoid low-calorie or low-carb products containing sugar alcohols, which go by the names xylitol or maltitol and cause gas, bloating, and worst—diarrhea. And don’t reach for a stick of gum when you’re trying to quell that sugar craving. Instead, satisfy your sweet tooth by using a little maple syrup on your morning oatmeal or yogurt snack.

Get On The Wagon
Steer clear of alcohol for the next few days to maximize your body’s belly-flattening capabilities. Alcohol causes dehydration and may slow your body’s ability to eliminate that excess weekend waste, so if you had a little too much to drink this weekend, start chugging the H20.

It’s best to eliminate that occasional glass of wine, beer, or hard alcohol this week while you’re on a skinny jeans crusade—all are high-acid beverages that can irritate your GI tract and cause swelling.



Do Some Activity Every Day
A study from Spain's Autonomous University of Barcelona suggests that mild physical activity clears gas and alleviates bloating. That's because increasing your heart rate and breathing stimulates the natural contractions of the intestinal muscles, helping to prevent constipation and gas buildup by expediting digestion. Take a short walk after meals or pedal lightly on a bike at the gym to help relieve bloat.

More Remedies For Belly Bloat
If you want extra belly-flattening aids, consider one of these products to soothe your belly problems.

• Get gas relief with an over-the-counter product such as Gas-X.
• Try peppermint capsules to kill bacteria that cause bloat and aid digestion.
• Stay regular by increasing fiber with flaxseed or a fiber supplement such as
Benefiber.
• Take a daily probiotic capsule. Dr. Wolf likes Align, Digestive Advantage
Intensive Bowel Support, and Pearls IC Intensive Care Probiotics.

Read more http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/9-ways-to-flatten-your-belly-in-one-week-2519050/

Simple Food for Slimming

Pumpkin Pudding: This creamy pudding is less than 150 calories--and it helps you lose weight! Just combine a 6-ounce container of nonfat vanilla yogurt with ½ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree and a dash of cinnamon. The pumpkin bulks up the yogurt--already a protein-rich, nutrient-packed food--and adds a hefty dose of fiber. This winning combo of protein and fiber expands in your stomach, keeping you full long after you finish.

Vegetable Soup: Studies have shown that just by starting a meal with a fiber-rich bowl of broth-based veggie soup, you can reduce your total calorie intake by 20 percent. That's because this "veggie first course" helps to fill you up, so you wind up eating less at the main meal.

Cucumber Tomato Salad: Thanks to their high percentage of water (95%!), cucumbers are low-calorie, high volume, and top-notch for weight loss! Slice up one whole cucumber plus a medium tomato, then toss with light vinaigrette or unlimited vinegar (balsamic or red wine is delish) plus 1 teaspoon olive oil. The entire salad has only 125 calories!

Ginger Green Tea: Nursing a warm mug of tea is a calorie-free way to de-stress after a long day without falling prey to emotional eating. As an added bonus, research suggests that regularly drinking green tea may give you a slight calorie-burning advantage. Steep your tea with a thin slice of ginger root for an extra punch of flavor.

Fiery Chicken Salad: Adding a few dashes of fiery hot sauce to your food slows down your eating big time so you're less likely to eat past the point of fullness. For a simple lunch, whip up a chicken salad with diced chicken breast, 1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayo, hot sauce to taste, and any diced veggies on hand. Serve over a bed of lettuce (and have a glass of water handy!).

Shrimp Cocktail: At around 8 calories a piece, shrimp are a fabulous source of lean protein, which helps rev your metabolism and keeps you feeling full for hours. Next time you dine out, start your meal with a shrimp cocktail appetizer. When you're eating at home, dunk your shrimp in this could-not-be-easier cocktail sauce recipe: simply combine 1 tablespoon ketchup with 1 teaspoon bottled horseradish.

5-Minute Flat Belly Meals!

Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal


Mix 1/2 c dry oats (cooked with water to desired consistency) with 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips and 1 c raspberries.

Total calories: 419



Chocolate Banana Blast


Mix sliced 1/2 small banana and 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips with 6 oz container unsweetened fat-free Greek-style yogurt.

Total calories: 352

Strawberry Chocolate Cottage Cheese


Sprinkle 1 c fat-free cottage cheese with 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips and 1/4 c sliced strawberries. Sprinkle with chopped mint leaves.

Total calories: 379

Cherry Chocolate Smoothie


In a blender, combine 1 c fat-free milk, 1 c frozen cherries, 3 oz fat-free vanilla yogurt, and 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips. Mix until smooth.

Total calories: 402

Simple Salmon Sandwich


Mix 3 oz canned boneless, skinless wild salmon, drained, with 1/4 c chopped red bell pepper, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Top with romaine lettuce leaves and serve on whole wheat roll.

Total calories: 413


Avocado Bruschetta


Spread 2 slices toasted whole wheat bread with 1/4 c sliced Hass avocado, mashed, and top with 2 sliced small tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Have 1 medium apple.

Total calories: 374


Avocado Mango Salad


Mix 1 cubed mango with 1/4 c diced Hass avocado and 2 Tbsp minced cilantro. Squeeze with juice of 1/2 lime and sprinkle with ground red pepper. Serve with wedges of 1 toasted large whole wheat tortilla.

Total calories: 367



Chicken Lettuce Wraps


Spread 6 Bibb lettuce leaves with 2 Tbsp hummus and top with 3 oz sliced grilled chicken and 2 Tbsp walnuts. Also have 1 c raspberries and 6 small whole wheat crackers.

Total calories: 405


Mango Walnut Salad


Top 3 c spinach with 1/2 c chopped mango, 1/4 c sliced red bell pepper, 4 chopped baby carrots, 2 Tbsp walnuts, 2 Tbsp vinaigrette, and 1 Tbsp raisins. Eat with 1/2 large whole wheat pita.

Total calories: 395


Almond Butter With Fresh Fruit


Spread 1 slice whole wheat bread with 2 Tbsp almond butter. Eat with 1/2 c each sliced strawberries and sliced kiwifruit.

Total calories: 350

Spanish-Style Eggs


Fry 1 whole egg with 1 egg white in 1 tsp olive oil. Place on top of 1/2 c salsa and 10 sliced large green olives. Eat with 6" whole wheat tortilla.

Total calories: 383

Grab & Go Cheese & Crackers


Mix 1/2 c fat-free cottage cheese with 1 c chopped red bell pepper and 10 sliced large black olives. Serve with 6 small whole wheat crackers. Have 1 medium apple.

Total calories: 378


Mediterranean Salad


Toss 1/2 c chickpeas, rinsed and drained, with 1/2 c halved cherry tomatoes, 1 chopped cucumber, 10 large black olives, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Serve with 1 toasted large whole wheat pita.

Total calories: 398


Hummus, Olive, And Tomato


Spread 2 Tbsp hummus on each half of a toasted whole wheat English muffin. Top each half with 5 thinly sliced olives and a slice of tomato. Have 1 medium orange.

Total calories: 362

Flat Belly Diet Pocket Guide! is out now.
Download it at:http://www.prevention.com/goguide/fbd/index.shtml

Diet Soup

Liz Hurley is reported to be a big fan of watercress soup to help her stay in shape. She says, “I drink at least six cups a day when eager to lose a few pounds”. Of course that might be all she eats, which isn’t a healthy way to lose weight, but there’s proof that slurping soup can help shedding pounds.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the US, found that people who has soup as a starter, choose a lower fat main course. But we are not talking of soups made of cream! Go for carrot and coriander, minestrone, vegetable or Liz’s favourite, watercress.

Banana Pancakes with Walnut Honey

This easy pancake mix recipe contains more fiber than most store-bought varieties and can serve double-duty for waffles and fruit crepes recipes.


TIME: 30 minutes
SERVINGS: 4


Pancakes
1 and 1/3 c Easy Pancake Mix or store-bought, trans-fat free pancake mix
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 c low-fat buttermilk
1/4 c water
1 egg
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large banana, halved lengthwise and cut thin slices
1/2 c fresh raspberries


Walnut Honey
1/2 c walnuts, chopped
1/3 c honey
1 Tbsp water


Directions for Banana Pancakes with Walnut Honey


1. To prepare the pancakes: Combine the pancake mix and cinnamon in a large bowl. Combine the buttermilk, water, egg, oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Whisk into the pancake mix and stir until smooth. Fold in the banana. Set aside.



2. To prepare the walnut honey: Combine the walnuts, honey, and water in a small bowl.



3. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add the pancake batter in scant 1/4 cupfuls and cook, in batches, for about 2 minutes or until the pancakes have puffed and the undersides are lightly browned. Turn the pancakes and cook for about 2 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Serve with the walnut honey and raspberries.



Easy Pancake Mix


TIME: 5 minutes

SERVINGS: 12


1 and 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1 and 1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour

6 Tbsp yellow cornmeal

6 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt



1. Combine the all-purpose flour, pastry flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix well.

2. Store in a cool, dry place.