People have been dieting and trying to lose weight for many years.
In the 13th-century household of King Edward I of England, fennel and coriander seeds were kept in abundance for the many fast days. They were used more to curb hunger than to provide nourishment.
A recipe “to make one slender” appeared in the Good Housewife’s Jewel (1585): “Take fennel and boil it in plenty of water, then wring out the juice once it’s cooked, and drink it morning and night to ease the body.” The Greeks called fennel marathon, from maraino, meaning “to grow thin,” and used it as a light broth to help reduce heaviness.
The tradition of afternoon tea in early England may have started as a way to curb hunger and enjoy a soothing drink. Similar to other teas, especially sage tea, thyme was believed to be “good against the wambling and gripings of the belly,” according to 17th-century herbalist John Gerard.
AIDS FOR DIETERS: taken from Traditional Home Remedies Use with care. This is not to replace any doctor’s advice. You know your health conditions. Don’t do anything that would put your health at risk.
- Add fennel to your diet to curb your appetite.
- Drink infusions of sage or thyme.
- Consider adding bulgur wheat to your diet. It’s full of protein, niacin, and iron; low in sodium and fat; and a good source of fiber.
- Dieters benefit from adding more greens to their diets, such as collards, Swiss chard, beet greens,
turnip greens, kale, and mustard greens. These also may lower the risks of cancer, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Add them to rice dishes or salads, or serve them steamed with feta cheese or slivered almonds.
- Some studies suggest that soup eaters lose weight more easily than those who shun soups.
- But make sure to avoid cream soups and soups that are high in meat fats.
- Dieters would do well to nearly eliminate meat and alcohol from their diets.
- (Pregnant and nursing women, convalescents, and those doing heavy manual labor need more protein than others, however, and might not want to eliminate meats.)
- They should increase their intake of fruits, grains, and vegetables and avoid refined foods.
- Certain types of drugs, such as birth control pills, cortisone pills, some migraine medications, and some mood stabilizers (such as lithium), can promote weight gain.
- Talk to your doctor about your medications and determine what is best for you.
- Replace low-fiber foods with high-fiber equivalents to help make you feel full.
- For example, choose
- whole-wheat bread instead of white
- beans, greens, and beets instead of summer squash or zucchini;
- a baked potato instead of white rice.
- Kelp in your diet may help to reduce weight.
- It’s rich in iodine and can help spark enzyme reactions.
- Don’t skip any meals and eat more mini-meals to help shrink the stomach.
- Drink a glass of water with each mini-meal to help you feel full faster.
- Wear close-fitting clothes or a snug belt while dieting.
- A snug (but not tight) fit across the abdomen acts as a physical reminder to stop eating sooner.
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