5 Healthy Tips To Shed Those Extra Winter Pounds

Philadelphia, PA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 27, 2011

It probably comes as no surprise that Americans are among the fattest people on Earth. Two-thirds of us are overweight and half of us are obese. We try and try to shed those excess pounds, mostly without success. We spend $ 40 billion a year on diet programs, diet pills, diet foods and diet regimens, writes Dr. Susan in her new book The Joy Factor. Obesity is an epidemic with a vast array of serious health consequences ranging from heart disease to diabetes, immune system dysfunction, osteoarthritis and even certain types of cancer.

According to Dr. Susan, the problem is that keeping weight off entails a major life shift that comes in conflict with the way most Americans currently live. In the age of drive-thru fast food, supersized restaurant meals and jugs of sugar-laden soda, were expected to be slim and compete with body types achieved by movie stars and supermodels.

Then add into this scenario the holidays and cold winter weather, which keeps many homebound and eating for entertainment. Most people have the mindset that they can eat whatever they want during this time of year, and more variety of food than usual, because they will start fresh beginning in the new year. Unfortunately, this fresh start rarely happens. Furthermore, many people consume as much as 4,000 calories per meal, according to the latest surveys.

Here are some helpful tips for eating properly, along with food, herbal and natural remedy suggestions recommended by Dr. Susan.

1. Eat Frequently and Dont Skip Meals

A common strategy for many is to skip breakfast and often lunch and then eat a big dinner. This strategy backfires because you come to the evening meal starving and wind up eating way more than you ever intended, and most of those calories go right to the waistline. Eating frequently throughout the day on healthy foods and snacks helps to eliminate hunger, which in turn prevents over-eating in the evening. This will also help stabilize your blood sugar. Even a small meal of something healthy is better than none at all.

Herb Suggestion: Kanten is a sea plant with a very high fiber content that helps you feel full. Dr. Susan suggests stirring a teaspoon or two of powdered kanten (also called agar agar) into at least 12 ounces of tea or water, or take two 575 mg vegetarian capsules with plenty of water ten minutes before mealtimes to prevent overeating. You can buy Natures Wonderland Kanten powder or capsules at Penn Herb Company http://www.pennherb.com.

2. Bring Healthy Snacks With You When Shopping or on Errands

Roaming the mall for hours or sitting in traffic leaves everyone starving and vulnerable to the usually bad fast food choices. If you come prepared to roam around with some crunch, healthy snacks such as apples, oranges, celery, carrots, or even some trail mix, youll be less likely to succumb to the call of the food court or fast food restaurants.

Herb Suggestion: Acai berries pack a powerful nutritional punch. These berries help with weight loss by flushing toxins and wastes from your body, resulting in increased energy, improving digestion, boosting your metabolic rate and helping you to a flatter tummy. A Texas A & M study found that antioxidant activity in the blood significantly increased after acai pulp consumption. The fiber and healthy fats in the acai berry can contribute to a sensible diet that promotes weight loss, holds down cholesterol, and maintains ideal blood sugar levels. Dr. Susan recommends Natures Wonderland pure 4:1 acai berry extract in vegetarian capsules.

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