Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Swimsuit season is here and everyone wants to shed a few pounds—and we understand that shrinking our food intake and getting regular exercise is the best formula for doing so. But nutritionists talking to ABC News suggested seven rather unorthodox tips for getting the most from a weight loss routine.

Yes, they sound a little weird, but what do we have to lose?

A whiff of peppermint – A recent study showed that sniffing peppermint (think peppermint extract or even strong-smelling chewing gum) several times a day may help lower hunger levels and calorie intake.

Bright colored dishes – Another study suggested that using brightly colored dishware, especially red dinner plates, could help you to eat less.

Using cold cash – Research indicates that paying for your dinner with cash instead of using a credit card seems to lead to making better, healthier food choices.

A bit of dark chocolate – Surveys report that chowing down on a small piece of dark chocolate once a day is associated with lower levels of abdominal fat. (If you don’t give in to the temptation to eat the whole bar!)

Bedroom temp – Turning down the thermostat may give weight-loss efforts a boost. Studies showed that participants who slept in a 66-degree room burned more than seven percent more calories while sleeping than those who slept in a 75-degree room.

Low-cal food pics – Behaviorists say that posting pictures of healthy, low-calorie food on your fridge – and looking at them before you eat or snack – will help you make better choices.

The state of your desk – This really sounds a little weird, but behavioral studies also suggest that those who work in a neat and tidy desk environment are more likely to choose healthier snacks than those who work at a messy, disorganized desk.

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