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Gillian's 50 tips to blitz the holiday bulge

Blown your diet on your summer holiday? Don't worry - Gillian McKeith's clever diet tips will help you shed those extra lbs...

Face it - weight-loss and holidays just don't go together. We all deserve to relax and really enjoy our summer break - but sadly, indulging in endless cocktails, ice-creams, chips and pizzas can quickly add inches to our waists and hips.

"Most of us put weight on holiday, which just makes us feel even more depressed when we get home," says Gillian. "But you can get back into shape quickly and easily if you follow the right methods."

Dr Gillian has devised 50 simple tips. There are food swaps and post holiday super foods to boost your weight loss, plus Gillian's top slimming secrets. "Did you know eating in front of the TV can be disastrous for your waistline?" says the diet guru.

You'll soon be back in shape if you follow these tips. Then you can plan your next holiday!

Dr Gillian's post-holiday superfoods

Blueberries

Low in calories but high in taste. Make a smoothie by blending half a cup of blueberries with one mango, one banana and four ounces of water.

Quinoa

Just great for post holiday weight loss because it is rich in vitamins, low in fat and contains protein, which boosts your metabolism. Mix with oats to make porridge, or use in salad.

Sprouted Mung Beans

Bursting with nutrients but containing very few calories! Eat them as a snack on their own with a squeeze of lemon.

Raw Shelled Hemp Seeds

These provide essential fatty acids (EFAs), which help weight loss. Shake them into juices, smoothies, soups and salads.

Veggie juice (carrot, celery, cucumber and parsley)

A great source of low calorie nutrients. If you drink them regularly, you'll enjoy clearer skin, better energy levels and better overall health.

Grapefruits

Low calorie and nutritious. They also contain enzymes that keep your sugar levels stable - this helps curb cravings.

Steamed Cabbage

High in antioxidant cancer fighting compounds, fibre, vitamins, calcium and minerals. It'll even increase your libido!

Peaches

Great for weight loss because they help keep your blood sugar levels balanced and your hunger at bay!

Adzuki Beans

Low fat, and easier to digest than other beans. They can be cooked whole with rice and used in soups.

Oats

They boost your metabolism and keep you feeling fuller for longer. That means they're good for weight loss, and for your mood. Try having porridge for breakfast.

Gillian's top 10 weight-loss secrets

    1.      Have breakfast
Miss it and you'll crave food by mid morning and grab anything sweet to stop your hunger. End result: you gain weight.


    2.      Chew!
Pay attention to each bite of food you take, enjoying the flavour. This stops you overeating, because it takes around 10 to 15 minutes for your brain to realise it's full.


    3.      Eat healthy snacks
Having healthy snacks mid morning and afternoon keeps your blood sugar stable. If it isn't stable, you'll crave sweet and fatty foods. Irregular eating habits can also increase bloating.


    4.      Eat early
Late dinners are a recipe for weight gain - those calories won't be burnt overnight. I also think it slows your metabolism.


    5.      Don't eat in front of the TV
Once you plop down in front of the TV with a bag of crisps, you usually end up eating them all. You only realize this once you break the hypnotic spell a few shows later.


    6.      Have soup before a meal
Studies show that soup before a meal helps you feel satisfied quicker. As well as filling you up, soup is easily digested.


    7.      Drink Water...
Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Lack of water can slow the metabolic rate and dehydration is also often mistaken for hunger.


    8.      ...But not too much during meals
Don't drink large quantities of liquids with meals. Drink still water 20-25 minutes before meals and take little sips during


    9.      Eat good fats
These are found in sunflower seeds, oily fish and nuts. They help release phospholipids, which can help remove fat from your system. They also boost your metabolism.


    10.      Ban the Bloat
Cut out salt, sugar, junk food, refined and processed foods - they can all lead to bloating. Alcohol can also cause bloating - and it promotes weight gain. If you can't give it up completely bear in mind that wine drinkers have the slimmest waists!




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