Weight Gain
Natural Remedies

Ten Diet Tweaks to Lose Weight for Life!

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Cinnamon

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
(1) 
  50%

Posted by Smokymtnlady (Tennessee) on 08/20/2015

I am here to give a resounding NAY for cinnamon for weight loss. I had already lost 15 pounds by tracking my caloric intake with a free app on my phone. I thought adding cinnamon might help shed the last few pounds. Well *pay attention* if you decide to take cinnamon. I added only a tiny pinch to my morning coffee each day. It was delicious! But after 6 weeks of this I was so constipated that my abdomen was having sharp cramps through the day. That is when I learned that cinnamon is also used as an anti-diarrhea supplement. Results may vary, of course. My husband can take turmeric every day and still have regular bm's but my system is way more sensitive apparently because both cinnamon and turmeric stop me up.


Cinnamon
Posted by Xiang (Cleveland, Ohio) on 04/26/2012
★★★★★

Effects: According to a study published by "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, " cinnamon has been linked to weight loss because the spice stimulates, or increases, the metabolism of glucose. Glucose, or blood sugar, is a main source of energy and affects how hungry or energetic you feel.

Benefits: A benefit of cinnamon is its ability to delay food from progressing through the digestive system. Food is delayed in the stomach and, as a result, leaves you feeling full for a longer period of time. This results in a reduction of hunger and causes you to eat less. In addition to satiation, the active compound in cinnamon is methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) and works to increase glucose metabolism, according to the USDA. Your blood sugar level determines whether you burn fat or store it. Increasing your glucose metabolism through the use of cinnamon tablets burns excess glucose, which is stored as fat in your body. In short, feeling less hungry and burning excess glucose more effectively equates to eating less and losing weight.


Cinnamon and Honey

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Dan (Tempe, Az) on 06/09/2012
★★★★★

I decided to the cinnamon and honey tea to my daily routine a week ago and I am already seeing effects!

My process: I put 1 tsp organic ceylon cinnamon into 8 oz of boiling water and let it seep for 30 minutes. Then I add 2 tsp organic raw honey. I drink half of the tea before bed and the other half in the morning 30 minutes before breakfast.

Results/effects so far: I have already been on a weight loss journey and adding the tea gave me an extra edge. In one week my measurements shifted down. I have read that this tea will make you lose inches before lbs.

I will definitely continue to use this on a daily basis, I'm sure I will continue to see other benefits!


Cold Showers

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Lana (Des Plaines, IL) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★

I've been doing cold showers for 2 weeks, and my appetite significantly decreased, and i lost 4 pounds already. Amazing! ACV helps too, but it doesn't decrease appetite as cold showers do, at least for me.


Dietary Changes

4 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  75%
1 star (1) 
  25%

Posted by Kaylee (Portland ) on 03/31/2022
★★★★★

During the pandemic, I had gained eight pounds and for the first time my cholesterol went up. I read Cholesterol Down. Started eating doing the 5/2 then I went on to eat 500 calories three times a week it's so easy to do. I eat one meal a day around 2:00 pm and take my vitamins at the same time. I lost ten pounds, my cholesterol is normal, and I feel great.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/13/2013

I was watching on Oregon Public Broadcasting not too long ago a show by Michael Mosley the BBC. my spouse talked me into watching it with him. It was VERY INTERESTING.

There was one guy that just ate vegan, huge bowl but tossed the apple, ate the peel. Stuff like that. His blood and numbers were WAY healty and weight was low. He also was on a minimalist diet where you eat less calories to maintain your weight and run a lean machine/body

Then there was another diet that you would eat normal, like you wanted to eat and the next day only eat one meal mid day whatever you wanted to eat.. But one meal. This resulted in weight loss too but the blood and numbers weren't as good as the first guy daily undereating for his weight.

I tend to be like the number two scenario.... I overeat maybe one day and then the next don't feel much like eating , back and forth, my weight stays the same mostly. I have good numbers, but if they were going bad I might try the first diet of eating less and health food only to get my ship back in order....

Spouse says show is not on the internet like most opb shows.

Replied by Anon
(Anon)
05/15/2013

Hi, It's called the fast diet, michel mosleys book is on amazon- it's very popular here in UK, lots of people have been losing weight.


Dietary Changes
Posted by John35 (North Lewisburg, Ohio, United States Of America ) on 08/07/2011
★★★★★

It is true that fast foods are bad for health and the most dreadful effects of them is that they slow down the work of your immune system. I used to eat a lot and gained some 30lbs of weight and suffered of many diseases due to improper immune system. My wife advised me eat natural food and workout in the gym. I am perfectly alright now. Anyways your article is quite good and justifies all the points that you have discussed. Thanks for such a detailed explanation!

John


Dietary Changes
Posted by Mondragon (Cny, Ny, Usa) on 07/22/2011

Does any have any suggested remedies for those with carbohydrate sensitivity? I (a female) work out at least days a week, and try to eat clean (5 meals per day) but my body fat percentage is so slow in decreasing. All lab blood test have been returned normal/or excellent. Any suggestions?

Replied by T
(Houston, Usa)
07/22/2011

what helped me bigtime was....

(1) 12 oz glass green juice (veggies only) each morning.

fage yoghurt for breakfast with nuts (high in protein and good fats, keeps you full).

incorporating more raw foods in my daily intake.

cut out all soda, all chemical sweetners, all grains, all fruits until you have lost the weight and then you can add gradually to your daily intake.

hope this helps, t

Replied by Maria
(Gippsland, Australia)
07/23/2011

Mondragon be encouraged that there is at least a change in the right direction for you. About 94-96% (according to survey results a few years back) of people who lost weight at the rate of 1 kg or more per week put the weight back on whereas if weight was lost at the rate of 1 kg a month then it was rare to put the weight on. You could also look at ACV & Coconut Oil.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Nick (Toronto, Ontario) on 01/29/2011
★☆☆☆☆

I DONT UNDERSTAND IT. I EAT SO HEALTHY FRUITS VEGGIES ALMOST RAW, TRIBULIS, GREEN TEA, COMPLEX B, PINEAPPLE, ENZYMES, YET I KEEPP GAINING WEIGHT. NOTE I WAS IN GREAT SHAPE 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW, I JUST DONT KNOW.

Replied by T
(Maryland, Usa)
01/30/2011

Have you had any thyroid testing done? Have them test not only TSH but Free T3 and Free T4. Then take the results to thyroid forums for some insight -- don't just take a doc's word for what is "normal" since the majority of docs don't seem to have much knowledge on thyroid matters, judging by the many thousands of misdiagnosed or outright dismissed sufferers out there. Do let us know what you find out; it may help someone else looking in here down the line. Good luck!

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
01/30/2011

Nick, have you ever tried a high fat, low carb diet? Maybe reading Barry Groves book Trick and Treat would help you. It is not a very limiting diet, on the contrary, you get to eat all kinds of lovely foods just you eat less potatos, rice, pasta and bread and eat more fat meats, cook with cream, drink full milk..... There are other books on the subject but this is the one I read! He also has a book on the diet itself with recipes and so but it is less detailed on the facts about the illnesses. It is a very interesting book and easy to read! Maybe against what you have been taught for a long time but know what? Maybe what you were taught was wrong! The author and his wife lost a lot of weight decades ago and never put it on again!

Replied by Mary
(Austin, Texas)
02/02/2011

Try this:
Add more protein in your diet. Space your meals 4-5 hours apart.

Never eat fruit by itself. Eat fruit as your dessert with a meal that has protein. Try to limit your fruit intake to 3 small servings per day. Fruit are good carbs that need to be eaten with a protein meal.

Never eat carbs or starches by itself, always with a protein.

If you eat yogurt, make sure its Greek yogurt without the fruit at the bottom. Add your own. You can even freeze your yogurt and eat it as a frozen dessert. Eat your yogurt one at a time at least two hours apart.

It might help, this is what my nutrionist/dietitian suggested for my weight loss.

Replied by Joanl
(Arlington, Tx)
10/17/2011

This advice is the exact opposite of what has allowed my husband to lose 24 pounds in 6 weeks. He eats "proper food combinations": fruits by themselves, never mix protein with carbs. He feels great.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Ted (Bankok, Thailand) on 07/26/2009
★★★★★

This is part of an instant messenger conversation I had with one of the earthclinic readers who had a 75 pound weight loss from changes in the diet, as well as using other remedies for his father that helped stopped the heart attack. Please post it from anonymous.

Ted

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): I eat at least 1 cantaloupe everyday, and drink 2 gallons of water from my own deep well, I tested its ph and its usually slightly alkaline- so in each gallon I add 1 tsp magnesium citrate- like you taught me its the best magnesium for my ph, I also add the juice from 1 lime and 1/4 or a little less baking soda to each gallon, and 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt, and thats all I ever drink- a little plain water also of course, But I also noticed that when I drink a lot of water with lime only my hair starts turning very black, it seems the sodium ascorbate recipe does not help my hair color turn black as well, I dont understand that maybe you can explain. I am deeply fasinated by the information you have, you are doctoring people and helping people more than you know Ted and we thank you so much.

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): I eat large salads made with spinach leaves cucumbers carrots onions lettuce ect, I put olive oil for dressing and seasalt and squeeze a lime over it, I allways eat small portions of red meat , not too much to overwhelm my stomach acid, I eat this meat with every salad, I also put some black or kidney beans of some kind in the salads and Ted they taste wonderful with the lime and seasalt and olive oil, I eat at least 6 or 7 times a day, I have been backing off the baking soda because this food especialy the cantaloupe melons are loaded with bicarbonates I think. when I touch the cut mellons with the litmus paper the ones from mexico, and the melons we grow here by my home they turn the litmus paper purple so I eat one every day.

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): I also eat the seeds of apples, and I have learned that certain kinds contain more of the B-17 or nitrosilic acid maybe I spelled it rite, some say its cyanide but I know you taught me it was somthing else, I am very carefull not to get to much from the apricots and peaches like you said, but I have some sodium thiosulfate ready just in case, I remember you words, I just want you to know that they do not all fall on deaf ears. and when someone ask me where I learned all this I tell them Ted from Bancock Ha Ha Ha , you get the credit Ted you are amazing really, I once donated money to your earth clinic and I see the way they have it set up now for you and I will be donating more, It is a small price to pay, I think you saved my fathers life really.

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): My father had a masive heart attack in 2001 and he has died 3 times and they brought him back, they had him ready for a transplant list Ted, I soon learned from you how the sodium bicarbonate lowers blood pressure, and I used your magnesium citrate to help steady out his heart beat and the Vitamin c and some calcium disodium edta small amounts of that, we got the cholesterol down the blood pressure stays at around 119 over 65 and his pulse a little high about 80 beats per minute but much better. they informed us last month his irregular heart beat was totaly gone, the famous heart surgeon was mystified and still is, they have no Idea what happened and we did not tell them what we did, when we were leaving a little Nurse who is from China escorted us out and when outside she pulled out a s

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): I have advised all these people also to use the sea salt to provide monoatomic minerals like you said and go barefoot a little while each day in the wet sand while the ph is high I use these supplements in moderation I have forgotten nothing you taught me Ted thank you so much.

(7/24/09 11:03 PM): When I logged on and seen you there I was so excited, I probably talked to much but I just felt I had to tell you these things.

Me: Thank you for the feeback about your weight loss. And the condition of your father. As to the hair turning back, it takes time to get it back with vitamin C, and some vitamin B complex and copper is also required.Yes, most heart problems are actually a magnesium deficiency and getting the blood pressure down as well as the edta, to get rid of free iron metal.


Dietary Changes, Exercise, Supplements

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Misty (Bakersfield, Ca) on 08/17/2012

When looking at research, I think it's important to keep in mind what sugar they are talking about too. I think people can be misled between refined sugar, simple sugar found in fruits and some higher starch vegetables, and the sugar taken from everyday foods that the body breaks down into glucose. Also, looking back at research, they would do studies on some foods, but wouldn't differentiate between cooked, raw, organic etc. which leads public opinions to fluctuate.

After having many family members falling ill to many diseases, like cancer and severe diabetes, I've found its really important to look at the details in your own natural health journey.

When you eat raw fruits, (let's say an apple) although it is a simple carb, it has enzymes in the fruit to help digestion, plus vitamins and fiber to slow the sugar spike to the bloodstream. My family members have been able to reduce or get off their medication by eating fruits in their natural state. I have nothing against low carb diets if it really works for people, but the more extreme diets and fads I see go through the news and even in health minded groups, the more I believe a simple whole foods diet focusing on variety and moderation is truly the way to go.

P.S. I completely adore this site, and how there's an exchange of information and opinion without it getting crazy!


Dietary Changes, Exercise, Supplements
Posted by Rick (University Place, WA) on 12/11/2008
★★★★★

History - 244 pounds, 302 on last test, A1C=10
Today - 4 months later - 198 pounds, 95 today's fast measure, A1C=7

How?:
1- Life style not diet. Don't go on diet for cure. Diet means short term measure or solutions. Must change life style meaning FOREVER.

2- Medications - We love easy solutions. Diabetic meds are not to cure you. They are business solutions to keep you stable for a while, at a profit with possible side effects. Nothing wrong with that if you want easy solution and eat what you like, at least for a while before kidney failure and other complications.

3- Smart Eating - How about no starch, no grains, no beans or peas, no corn, no green peas, no sugar, no sweeteners, no coffee, no soda, no potatoes, no fried food, no fast food, no buffets, no red meat, no milk, no oats, no breakfast cereals, no chocolate or candies, no pop corn or chips, no sweet fruits, no fats and oils, or very small portion. Brush your meat or vegetables with oil if you want to use your Foreman style broiler or toaster broiler. Boil you vegetable and meat, or use high heath steam.

Do not eat out of a bag or package. Get a small cup. Fill the cup with what you want to eat. Use that as a measure. You need to see visually the portions that you are eating. The measuring will help you reduce portion and cut on your excess weight.

4- What to eat - Meat can not exceed 20% of your meal. Eat berries, any berries, vegetables, Fish, other sea foods, skinless chicken, and spices. Some not so common items to eat include pomegranate with white meat portions included. Fresh or rehydrated walnuts with the soft dividers between the meat included. Artichokes, green beans, zucchini, avocado, and green tea seems to be very effective. Use Sunflower oil and Fresh Squeezed lemon Juice for salad dressing or meat marinade. Eat garlic, watercress, radish along with its few youngest leaves on.

I can hear voice of opposition wanting to have some fruits, oils and starches. They call it having balanced diet. You are a diabetic, most likely overweight. It was those little sugars, oils, starches and grains that got you here. Your obesity is testimonial that you can not eat just a little of soda and pasta without going back for more. Drastic measures are required until you are in much better shape.

5- Supplements - Vitamin C, Flex Seed, Milk Thistle, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek, Garlic, B complex, Magnesium. Don't overkill. Take 1 tablet of 1 supplement a day and change to the next supplement next day, rotate and arrange to your liking.

6- Exercise body and mind - Start easy with 30 minutes walk on your lunch period. After work, do another 15-30 minutes of tread mill or walking. Some warm up an cool down easier exercised as well as few minutes of small weigh, around 5 pounds, exercises.
Use meditation or biofeed back. An alternative way would be when in bed ready to sleep, use the quiet time to tell yourself you want to be cured. Ask your brain to find out what the problem is and to have it corrected. What you believe is what can happen.

7- Education - Try to read one article a day about Diabetic or your digestive system. First, it educates you about your conditions. Second, it reminds you of the risk if you continue. Third, it keeps you on course. As you read, question all suggestions to see if they have commercial implications for the writer.

Here is what happens. No salt, no oil, no starch, no sugar makes you lose water that your kidney storing some in the puffed up ankles. You start to lose weight. Loss of weight equals to more energy and better fasting levels. The extra energy gives you mobility to lose more weight for better control over your diabetes and the healing cycle continues. As a side effect, your other diabetic complications like shrinking kidneys improves.

These suggestions are not for every one. It takes a very determined person to make this work. I am sharing with you what worked for me. For all others, take medications as your doctor suggest. I refused medications because every chemical action oriented drug that goes into your body eventually has reaction(s), some I hope to avoid. Plus, pill gives me the latitude to not drastically change my life until it is too late.

Replied by Veronica
(San Antonio, Texas)
03/07/2009

The diet you are suggesting is low-carb and low fat. The exclusion of fruit seems questionable. I find it hard to believe anyone is overweight from eating too many apples and grapefruit.

Replied by Judy
(Houston, TX)
05/11/2009

This diet is not exactly like atkins, but it does seem like a good one. Veronica, Just a note to let you know that all fruits contain fructose, a high concentration of a form of sugar. Sugar, no matter what form is bad. Potatoes become sugar once they are ingested. The body should not live on this type of chemical as it causes diseases like diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypertension, etc. Anyway, good job Rick. I think I could do this...but not too crazy about giving up my coffee and diet soda...eek. sorry. :(

Replied by Matt
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
05/19/2009

Judy, EVERYTHING gets converted to sugar (glycogen) if your body is going to use it for energy, not just sugars and starches. Sugar does not 'cause' anything and is not 'bad', what causes the ailments you describe is a combination of unhealthy lifestyle habits and genetics. Weight loss is simple: calories in vs. calories out. There are no magic cures. Eat healthy, exercise, and don't be afraid to work hard.

Replied by Alain
(Ottawa, Canada)
05/19/2009

Answer to Matt from Indianapolis about Weight Loss Remedies

I disagree completely. Sugar as isolate is too concentrated. The secret too many calories too low nutritional values.

Just read about HFCS High Fructose Corn Syrup.

http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html

and this: Surprise Ingredients in Fast Food
http://www.naturalnews.com/022194.html

Try to feed yourself just on sugar!

Replied by Cat
(Austin, Tx)
01/28/2010

Matt you are sooooooo wrong. Do the historical research on sugar; it is as deadly as heroin. Start with its history as a refined substance. A good book to start with is SUGAR BLUES by Duffy. Diabetes was once accurately called SUGAR DIABETES. I remember, as a child, seeing an old gentleman from my neighborhood with both legs missing and asking my grandmother what had happened to him. She said, "He got the sugar diabetes." The sugar industry hated this saying; which is why sugar was dropped as a prefix to the word diabetes in literature and advertising. Read Duffy's book and you will get the message that sugar is killing us from the womb (where type 1 diabetes is set up) to blind, toothless, legless old age. Sugar is an enemy to man. The first time my daughter tasted sugar (age 2)in the form of a hard candy, she fanned her mouth, saying it burns. We have all lost this sensitivity to a very deadly, addictive poison. Do the research!

Replied by Bessie
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
01/29/2010

I have to agree with Cat from Austin. I just finished reading a book about belly fat (Google "belly fat cure" if you want the name of a number of books/resources) and it said you should only have 15 grams of sugar a day if you are serious about improving your health and losing weight (especially around your gut). I looked at the Nutrition Facts printed on a bottle of fruit/veg juice - in one glass (250 mL), there are 27 grams of sugar. Almost twice the amount I should have in an entire day! I've really started reading labels more closely and my husband and I are going on a as-close-to-sugar-free challenge as we can for a week. I have a feeling we'll be seeing far less of our protruding bellies!


Dietary Products Containing Licorice

1 User Review
1 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Sherry (Longview, Washington) on 08/12/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Licorice (the herb not the candy) cannot be taken safely for very long. It causes high blood pressure. I have found licorice root in diet teas and women's remedy teas used as a dieretic. Taken any longer than 6 days or so can cause health issues. I made the mistake years ago of drinking a dieter's tea after my evening meal for over a year. I had never had a problem with high blood pressure before but after a year on that tea my blood pressure sky rocketed and I felt horrible. As soon as I stopped the tea my blood pressure went back down to normal.

Replied by Tea
(NZ)
10/31/2020

Someone recently died from eating too much licorice over a week or so.... they changed from red to black lollies/ shoe laces and died!

True story.

Replied by GertJr
(Madison)
11/01/2020

This guy ate like 6 bags of natural black licorice per day, excess in any estimation. And, since he was eating so much licorice, he did not eat other nutrients. What other obsessive traits did he have? Licorice, not licorice flavoring, is an herb that has definite reactions in your body. He self-harmed. He did not turn black, though maybe his mouth was black. As long as you don't overdo things, you should be okay.


Distilled Vinegar

1 User Review
1 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Susan (Mankato, MN) on 03/09/2009

I was just wondering if drinking distilled vinigar can hurt you or can help you loose weight..i like the taste and can drink it easly...So wanted to know if anyone has tried to diet with this?

Replied by MannaCandace
(Phoenix, AZ)
03/31/2009
★☆☆☆☆

DISTILLED vinegar has been processed - with heat. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with the "mother" has not been processed as much. Heat KILLS good bacteria and enzymes in all foods. Therefore, over processed foods of any kind are NOT as good as the least processed comparable you can find. That's why fresh fruit is better than canned, bottled, jar, etc. fruit. So, NO distilled vinegar will noo work the same as Natural ACV with the mother in it. Besides, ACV is not expensive at all.

Replied by Vinegretta
(Veganlandia)
08/27/2024

Yes, distilled vinegar can be healthful.

Improves insulin level

Reduces cholesterol

Helps you absorb calcium

Facilitates brain health

Has anti-microbial properties

Among other benefits.


Eggs +

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Science (Cyprus) on 03/07/2022 21 posts
★★★★★

As a researcher, I found this the best way to work on my body:

1) 2-4 eggs per day

2) Light cheese 16% to 17% (do not use higher fat cheese)

3) Limited sugar (use stevia instead), limit potatoes, limit spaggetti, limit flour. This means that these should be used as less as possible.

Results were amazing for me, since I wanted to lose 6 to 7 kilos and this the only food combination that worked for me.



NEXT 
Advertisement