Diet tips

At the start of a diet, people most certainly look at food store and big brand food items labelled 'low in fat'. To do this is far too often a miscalculation, in that an item could be significantly reduced in fats, but nevertheless elavated in calories and carbs.

Some low carb diet guidlines:
* Food labels can be misleading Watch out for sales blurb that boasts 'low carb' - check the nutritional information on the back of the product. Quite a few are only marginally decreased and in some instances still more than a competitors standard brand. In addition, beware of 'low sugar' and 'low fat' labels - 'low sugar' doesn't always mean 'low carb' - often the carbs are identical.

* You can create really good smoothies with reduced carbohydrate yogurt. Ok, well, it’s not technically cooking, but if you really want smoothies you can make them with low carb yogurt and fruit. Obviously, you will need to ensure you use only fruit that is low in carbohydrates and use the whole fruit as the fiber will help.

Flavonoid foods
(inlcudes garlic, spinach, adzuki bean & tea)

The nutrients called 'flavonoids' present in these food types are thought by nutritionalists to have properties as anti-carcinogens.
Researchers researching the effects of flavonoids think they might also have numerous other healthy properties, amongst them, anti-dermatitis and antiplatelet capabilities.
The majority of these also have a low calorie count, so should be included in every diet system.