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 pointers:
* Understand the food labels Don't believe sales blurb that claims to be 'low carb' - check the real nutritional information on the rear of the tin or package. A good number of are only slightly lowered and in some instances still greater than a competitors standard brand. In addition, beware of 'low sugar' and 'low fat' labels - 'low sugar' does not always mean 'low carb' - often the carbs are identical.

* Replace sugar with a low carb substitute such as splenda. Many recipes that require sugar can be adapted to use splenda instead. It is much lighter so you will need to do a bit of trial and error and it may not work in every case, but it does bake up nice once you have it cracked.

Foods containing allyl sulfides
( includes pickled shallots, onions and welsh onion)

The onion family is rich in allyl sulfides, a chemical which experts believe could be linked to a reduced risk of stomach and colon cancer.
Even though there is very little scientific evidence obtainable, allyl sulphides are also thought to help with antiinflammatory effect, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Foods containing allyl sulfides are also low in calories, so should be a part of every diet system.