Four Diet Tricks to Melt Fat Faster

June 28, 2012
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Summer shape-up strategies.

One of my favorite actresses of all time—Katherine Hepburn—once said, “If you obey all the rules…you will miss all the fun!”

Truth is, frustration among women is rampant these days. When it comes to body parts, over 60% of us are the most self-conscious about our bellies.

So, if the tried and true old fashioned rules just aren’t working for you, it’s time to do an about face and take advantage of the latest and most novel strategies for shrinking that belly bulge and flipping on that weight control switch.

1)      Weigh in on whey! Protein shakes made from whey protein can double your fat loss. A much more belly-flattening option than soy protein shakes, whey isn’t just for bodybuilders any more. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that participants who consumed whey protein had less body fat and tinier tummies than those who didn’t consume any protein shakes at all. Aim for one to two whey shakes a day or several times per week at the very least—and look for a whey protein powder that is hormone-free and made with non-denatured and unheated milk. Keep in mind that added protein raises metabolism by 25% and activates the liver’s detoxifying enzymes—two added fat blocking bonuses.

2)      Pick a pickle! Swap out your sweet tooth for something sour! The more apple cider vinegar (dressings count, too) you can sneak into your diet, the more sugary snacks (candy, soft drinks, “energy” bars) you can avoid, resulting in less fat promoting insulin production which prevents stored fat from being burned for energy. The acetic acid in vinegar is a powerful nutrient that has been proven to stimulate metabolism. It contains dozens of other nutrients that work to eliminate fat by creating the ideal chemical balance in the body. Researchers at the University of Sydney found that consuming vinegar with meals can lower blood sugar by as much as 30%. The acidity helps slow stomach emptying, which means food takes longer to reach your small intestine and blood stream. As a result, carbohydrates are digested more slowly, thereby lowering blood sugar levels and keeping your appetite in check.

3)       Throw away the calorie counter! The key to successful weight loss is to fill up on fiber and eat wholesome nutrient dense foods from lots of colorful veggies, enzyme rich fruits, satisfying fats, and powerhouse protein. Period. You will be fuller faster if you add at least two tablespoons of soluble fiber from flax or chia seeds to breakfast every day. The fiber in these seeds will help to keep insulin levels low which will allow your body to access stored fat for energy.

4)      Eat fat to lose fat. As our lifestyle Fat Flushers can attest, enjoying the good, healthy fats (think avocados, walnuts, seeds, flaxseed oil and olive oil) daily will help to trigger an automatic reflex that closes down the valve located between your tummy and small intestine slowing down digestion. Even a teaspoon or two of oil will have this beneficial effect. We need fats in our diet to provide the essential fatty acids that become part of the eicosanoids. These tissue-like hormones have single-handedly turned around weight watchers’ negative regard for fat into an extraordinary appreciation of its true biological function. When you eat too few fats, you do not produce enough of these tissue-like hormones in sufficient quantity to burn body fat. The right fats also assist in long-term energy, enhance immunity and strengthen cell walls and mucus membranes. For overall health, they have been found to control a wide range of activities including inflammation, reproduction, blood clotting, blood pressure, brain function and allergies. Best of all—fats, not carbohydrates, are the best food fuel for feeling satisfied and speeding fat loss.

Have any of these diet tricks helped you slimdown? Post a comment to share your experience.

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

20 Comments

  1. Candy J

    Recently, I have eliminated foods high in arachadonic acid and the pounds are melting. Have you addressed this at any point?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Sierra

    I can personally attest to all four tricks! I’ve been following ALG for years now, and her tips and tricks have helped me reach and maintain my ideal weight for 2 years now.

    I enjoy a whey protein smoothie with chia seeds every morning! The sour pickle idea works like a charm at curbing cravings- i keep a jar in my fridge specifically for that purpose!

    I love to make my own salad dressing with flax oil, apple cider vinegar, diced green onions, minced garlic, ginger, and a touch of cayenne. It’s delicious and satisfying!

    I take the GLA-90 religiously, and it helps not only maintain my figure, but also keeps my hair shiny, my fingernails strong, and my skin dewy.

    Follow these tips and you’ll definitely be enjoying life as much as I am 🙂

    Reply
  3. Heidi K.

    But isn’t whey protein a gluten? I thought the Body Protein was better?

    Reply
  4. Administrator

    Hi Heidi:
    Whey protein is not a glutenous product by any means. The Body Protein was developed to provide a vegetarian/vegan alternative to the Fat Flush Whey for our many vegetarian fans:)

    Reply
  5. Mary Leedy

    I read somewhere that whey proitein isn’t good or doesn’t work very well for those people that are lactose intolerant. Is there a difference between whey protein and whey protein concentrate? I love protein shakes but I can’t deal with the bloating and uncomfortable fullness afterwards. Unless I’m using the wrong stuff to mix it with – rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water, water. (not all of them at once,lol, just tried each one each day. Can’t get it right to feel right afterwards. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Dee Dee

      Mary, you need to use the recipe from the Fat Flush book. You use 1 scoop of whey, 1 cup of berries, 1 T of flax oil, and cran water. Delicious and no bloat!

      Reply
  6. Brenda

    If you ever make a whey protein without inulin, count me in! I await the day . . .

    Reply
    • Minnie

      You could try “The Organic Whey” theorganicwhey.com
      It’s not cheap, but it’s raw, gluten, lactose and casein free, comes from grass fed cows and has no flavors or other additives. I’ve been using it for the Smoothie Shakedown.
      I think I bought it through Amazon and it was cheaper there.

      Reply
  7. Brigitte from Perth

    I’m still finding it difficult to have the smoothies/drink with berries – they give me a ‘head rush’ – I feel like I’ve had a real sugar rush….

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Brigitte- you’re welcome to reduce the amount of berries, or use non at all if you like! Many people mix the Fat Flush protein powders with just the cran-water, flax oil and chia or ground flax seeds.

      Reply
  8. Sarah Wright

    Thanks for boiling it down to something I wish so many people understood. I feel so bad for people who are struggling to lose weight and are going about it in the worst ways possible.

    However, I wish that you had listed coconut oil in the good fats, too, though. I believe that ALG approves of coconut oil, so I’m surprised it isn’t there. I have been eating it for at least a year and not only is it delicious it really adds variety to the diet I already follow, which is pretty much the Fat Flush diet for maintenance.

    Reply
    • Gwenny

      Sarah, Many people give Coconut oil a bad name, but I totally agree with you. Try using it on your body, you would be amazed at the results. One can also use Coconut milk which i do use with my smoothies.

      Regards

      Reply
  9. Carrie

    Is whey the best choice for individuals with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s?
    I thought I had read somewhere that protein was the better option for this condition?

    Reply
    • Sierra

      Whey is protein 🙂
      If whey protein seems to not agree with you, I recommend protein derived from a blend of brown rice and yellow peas- like the Fat Flush Body Protein.

      Reply
    • Linda

      I have HypoThyroidism and I absolutely swear by Whey protein. If you have thyroid issues you MUST avoid soy products at all cost! It interferes with any thyroid output you may have and definitely interferes with your medication (Mary Shomon is an excellent source of info on all things thyroid and is a dedicated advocate. I suggest Ann Louise partner up with her!) So many foods (including diet foods) used processed soy as a filler and protein enhancer. Just like High Fructose Corn Syrup – it is a ‘frankenfood’ so over processed that it is chemiacally changed and no longer resembles anything our bodies can process.
      Soy will also mimic estrogen – and can interfere with HRT or imbalance your hormone levels.

      Reply
  10. Pat

    What about almond milk in smoothies?

    Reply
  11. Kristine Holvick

    I am curious about almond milk as well?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Almond milk can have additives that are not recommended for healthy weight loss.

      Reply
  12. Laura

    What about the soy lecithin that’s in the smoothies? Should I not use that since I have hypothyroidism?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Laura, The lecithin does not contain any compounds that slow the thyroid even though it is derived from soy.

      Reply

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