Weight loss hints and tips

In planning a meal plan, the most important step is to make efforts to lower your intake of fat, salt and refined carbohydrates.

Some low carbohydrate diet guidlines:
* Know what is in your food Be sceptical of sales blurb that claims 'low carb' - check the actual nutritional information on the reverse of the can or package. Many are only a little lower and in some cases still greater than a competitors standard brand. Also, beware of 'low sugar' and 'low fat' labels - 'low sugar' does not always mean 'low carb' - usually the carbs are just the same.

* Make reduced carb breadcrumbs for breaded foods. Although you may be able to buy reduced carb bread crumbs, you may also make them by simply using reduced carbohydrate bread. All you have to do is toast the reduced carbohydrate bread in a gas or electric oven on a cookie sheet. Once it is quite hard and crispy, process it in your food mill. Store in an airtight container.

Foods rich in flavonoids
(inlcudes citrus fruits, cabbage, scarlet runner bean and basil)

The nutrients called 'flavonoids' discovered in these fruit, vegetables and pulses are thought to have properties in preventing cancer.
Doctors researching the properties of flavonoids believe they also have most other health benefits, amongst them, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
The majority of these are also good for weight loss, so should be included in your diet system.