Healthy slimming MADE EASY

It’s the small eating tweaks that can make the biggest difference to your weight loss

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Forget fad diets and overhauling how you eat, it's the small, drip-drip changes that you make to the way you eat that can help you to get slim - and stay there. Follow these simple tips to get into shape.

AVOID SWEETENERS

'People who regularly use artificial sweeteners tend to gain weight they can slow the digestive process and increase appetite,' says nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville.

MAKE A STAND

Standing for just an extra two hours a day can have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar, blood fats and weight.

GOOD-MOOD FOOD

Include plenty of tryptophanrich foods in your diet, such as turkey, eggs, bananas and walnuts. 'Carb cravings are a sign of low levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which is necessary for serotonin production - a "happy" brain chemical,' says Dr Glenville. 'A lack of it can lead to low mood and anxiety.'

BEWARE CAFFEINE

'Don't drink your latte on an empty stomach, as it goes straight into the bloodstream and triggers cortisol release. This stress hormone makes the body store fat, warns Dr Glenville.

REARRANGE YOUR CUPBOARDS

We crave what we can see, so pull all the healthy foods to the front of your cupboards.

Eight foods to add in Greek-style yogurt

A great snack for a trim tum, if you add blueberries, which can help reduce abdominal fat. 

Grapefruit Eat it before a meal because it contains enzymes that work on decreasing fat stores and studies show that it can help with weight loss.

Cinnamon Add this spice to cooking and drinks. "It improves digestion and helps to balance blood sugar levels, says Shona.