Reader Digest Version Global

7 Tricks to Drop Pounds

Check out some of our best weight-loss tips from the past year. A few are no-brainers and others will surprise even the most seasoned dieter.

Compiled by Meaghan Cameron from Reader's Digest
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Chew Gum
Volunteers who chewed gum for 15 minutes each hour between lunch and a snack consumed 60 fewer calories from sweets than when they went gum-free.

Read more about the benefits of chewing gum

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Vegetable Juice
Here's a surprising way to supercharge any diet--and your health: Chug a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice every day. In a study of 81 overweight adults at risk for heart disease and diabetes, those who drank at least a cup of low-sodium V8 daily lost four pounds over 12 weeks, while those on the same reduced-fat diet who drank no juice lost one pound.

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Drop Sugary Drinks
Calories from solid foods and liquids both add up, of course. But in a recent multicenter study, the only menu change that had a significant payoff for dieters was cutting back on sugary beverages, says lead author Benjamin Caballero, MD. Reducing intake by just one serving a day took a pound off after six months, enough to add up for people with a soda or fruit-drink habit.

Read more about getting rid of sugary drinks

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Green Tea
Overweight or obese exercisers burned off three more pounds and 7 percent more belly fat when they drank green tea instead of another beverage with the same calories, according to a new multicenter study.

Read more about the health benefits of green tea

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More Sleep
A study of 32 summer students at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas over three weeks showed that those who slept an extra two hours ate nearly 300 calories less.

Read more about this sleep study

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Mushrooms
When ground beef was swapped out for mushrooms in lasagna, sloppy joes, and chili, adults consumed 400 fewer calories per day, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers estimate that if you sub mushrooms for ground meat in one meal every week, you can lose five pounds in a year.

Read more about the nutritional benefits of mushrooms

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Simple 'Till Six
That's what author Mark Bittman named his diet plan of eating in a mostly vegan fashion during the day--no animal products and no simple carbs--and then eating a reasonable dinner. His focus on consuming plants 'as close to their natural state as possible' will lead to a natural reduction in calories.

Read more about Mark Bittman and his take on nutrition

Your Comments

  • So_sexy_leesi

    Is this really true and how fast does it work 

  • Miriam_granados

    omg

  • Miriam_granados

    omg

  • CHRISTENSTAMEY

    THAT IS STUPID

    • Vivi Guzman10

      your stupid stfu and try it

  • CHRISTENSTAMEY

    I COULD UNDERSTAND THAT.

  • Asal_98

    arrgghhhh soo confusing gosh

    • Vivi Guzman10

      stfu stupid as read it again

  • Brookeg

    Seems cool. But! I prefer JENNIFER JOLANS SPIN REPORT! its simple. spinning around clockwise in sets of 10 like a child really tones your body, helps you lose weight, and you improve your health!

  • Rawr

    I consume gum like a vacum!!!!!But I’m still a little puggy!!!

  • http://www.fatburnerswork.com/full-fast-spray/ Fullfast

    Thank
    you for taking the time out to put up these tricks.  It seems that in order to succeed in losing
    weight, any or all of these may be helpful.

  • Ashley tisdale

    Omg