Tips For Fat Loss

• Don’t skip meals: ‘you’re not going to lose weight any faster if you miss meals,’ says nutritional therapist Henrietta Bailey of puresportsmed.com ‘skipping meals can slow down your metabolism because your body will think there is a food shortage and plunge into panic mode. Instead, eat little and often to keep your blood sugar levels and metabolism steady.’

• Go left-handed: ‘eat with your left hand,’ says nutritionist Jennifer Bowden (thinkingnutrition.co.nz) ‘it may get messy but it will slow you down. Studies show that eating slowly can reduce your intake by around 60-70 calories, so if we took this approach at every meal, that would add up to a significant reduction in food without even noticing it. Also try chewing each mouthful at least 15 times, or setting a time limit when eating.’

• Don’t start what you can’t finish: ‘the first rule of weight loss is be realistic,’ says Penny Hunking founder of energise.co.uk. ‘There is no point starting what can’t be continued for the rest of your life. You need to make small, steady changes that are sustainable and fit in with your lifestyle’.

• Combine protein with carbs: ‘eat protein with complex carbohydrates at every meal and snack,’ says Lan Marber, author of How Not To Get Fat (9,99, Quadrille). ‘Eaten together, the proteins slow down the digestion of the carbs and the passage of sugar into the bloodstream. This keeps energy levels consistent and hunger pangs away.’

• Have more vitamin D: get more vitamin D, says Alice Bradshaw nutritionist at Solgar (solgar.co.uk). ‘American research found that dieters were more successful if they had higher blood levels of vitamin D. this is because is helps normalise food intake and lower blood sugar levels. And getting vitamin D can be as easy as going outside- one of the best sources is sunshine.’

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