Suggestions on Losing Weight and Eating Right: Based on An Article in the February 2010 Issue of Reader's Digest

(Based on an article by Joe Kita and Anne Mullens

I read recently that the WHO released an internationally-based report in October of 2009 that said more people worldwide die from overeating than starvation. The following is taken from an article that exemplifies several ways (taken from the February 2010 issue of Reader's Digest) foreign countries act in the interest of controlling their diet and weight.

Thailand: spices -spices are a tasty addition to food and not only do they increase your metabolism, but they also slow your eating. Slower eating is better, as France advocates through family meals.

France: leisure family meal-92% of French families eat dinner together. These meals last half an hour to an hour depending on the day of the week. A study shows it takes twenty minutes for your brain to realize your full from the time that you actually are. Which is why eating with a family leisurely and patiently puts a leash on the hunger and prevents you from eating less. Over the last twenty years, Statistics Canada has shown that there has been a decline in the length and frequency of the family dinner.

Netherlands: Biking. Swap the car for the bike! Saves money and boosts activity.

Brazil: Eat rice and beans. A lot of Brazilians traditionally eat rice and beans with almost every meal. This dish is low in fat and high in fiber and this balances out blood-sugar levels.

Poland: Eat home more than you eat out. Poles eat out on only 5% of their family budget, not a lot, right? Like biking, it saves you money. People are more likely to eat unhealthy food when they eat out than when they're at home.

Germany: Breakfast. 75% of Germans eat their breakfast! This includes fruit, breads (whole wheat of course), and whole-grains cereals. British researches have shown that if you haven't eaten your breakfast, the first sighting of a high-calorie food will make you want to indulge.

Hungary: Crunch more pickles. Also, bell peppers, cucumbers, cabbage and tomatoes. The vinegar that is in these products contains acetic acid, which lowers blood-pressure and formation of fat.

Japan: Nap. Sleep deprivation has two effects: lower leptin levels, and higher ghrelin levels. Leptin is a hormone that makes the brain sense when you are full, and ghrelin is a hormone that triggers hunger. A good sleeping pattern and a 20-30 minute daily nap will keep your system level.

Mexico: The Mid-day buffet. Eat most of your day's calories at mid-day. If you eat less and at night you feel hungry in the morning and eat a bigger breakfast. This is helpful in weight control.

AS A BONUS:

Here are some top fat-burning foods:

Tomatoes
Oatmeal
Fresh fruits
Lemon juice and honey
Almonds
Yams
Wheat and grain products
Chicken and turkey breast (non-fried)
Skim milk
Green veggies

Hope you all learned something! Now use it!