FAST FOOD FIXES

Yay! Eating doesn’t mean cheating in our beauty ‘workout’ regime. And this shopping list will not only help you lose weight and firm up; some of these food types even pack a mean anti-ageing punch so you get extra gorgeous points thrown in. Nutritionist Kim Pearson, (www.kimpearson.co.uk), talks us through the key points.

Green tea Catechins in green tea boost the metabolism, helping the body to burn more calories, aiding weight loss. The antioxidants have also been shown to have anti-ageing properties and help protect the skin from sun damage – perfect for the UAE. But, of course, a hot cuppa isn’t always what you want here, so make some green tea and then cool in the fridge with slices of lemon for a refreshing drink.

Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with antioxidant nutrients that help protect our skin from the damaging, and wrinkle-inducing effects of free radicals. Research has also shown that rats fed blueberries lost fat from their stomachs suggesting that they could also help us lose weight from around our middles.

Dark chocolate Unlike milk chocolate, dark chocolate is lower in sugar and provides greater health benefits. One study found that dark chocolate promotes satiety, lowers the desire to eat something sweet, and suppresses energy intake.

Oily fish

Did you know that eating fat can actually help you lose fat? Omega 3 fats such as those found in tuna and salmon can help to regulate blood-sugar levels and satiety promoting weight loss. Omega 3 fats are anti-inflammatory and essential for supple, healthy skin.

Chilli Chilli is another food known for boosting the metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. It’s also packed full of vitamin C, a nutrient essential for helping your skin’s collagen synthesis. Add it to everything, sharpish.