It’s easy to pile on the pounds at this time of year when the weather’s so cold.  If you want to lose a bit of excess weight, then ditching the chocolates and alcohol, cutting back on saturated fat and sugar and increasing exercise is usually all that is needed.  However, if weight gain is an on-going issue, then a lifestyle change may be needed. 

Samantha Silvester is a nutritional therapist based at the Wantage Natural Therapy Centre, who specialises in weight loss and digestive disorders, as well as treating other health issues with correct nutrition. 

Nutritional therapy looks at the whole person, their eating habits, their lifestyle, emotions, stress and their past medical history.  Sam will take a detailed case history which allows her to make personal recommendations by drawing up a menu plan, recipes and shopping list, as well as educating through cooking, shopping and reading labels.  Often supplementation is needed to support the lack of nutrients in today’s food, and the deficiency in the body due to stress, alcohol and junk food.

Healthy Simple Detox (to last between 4/5 days **)

1.       Hot water and lemon first thing.

2.       Fresh fruit such as pineapple, mango or kiwi (or frozen berries which have been defrosted), 2 tbs natural live yoghurt and 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds for breakfast.  For a warmer breakfast try a baked apple with a tablespoon of raisins and a tablespoon of flaked almonds or pumpkin seeds.

3.       Homemade vegetable soup (such as parsnip, celeriac or broccoli) with lentils, butter beans or chickpeas; this can be taken to work in a flask with some Ryvitas or oatcakes.

4.       Grilled fish (such as bass, salmon, bream or plaice) or chicken (no bigger than the size of a pack of cards) with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and herbs, plus 2/3 vegetables and salad and half a baked sweet potato or half a cup of brown rice.  You can also try marinating some organic chicken in natural live yoghurt and tikka paste.

5.       For dessert - Poached pears in red wine, grilled pineapple or a bowl of mixed berries (wait at least an hour after your main meal to prevent the fruit fermenting in the stomach).

Eat fresh fruit, or crudités and humous when blood sugar is low if needed in between meals.

Your body will benefit more if you gradually reduce and cut out tea, coffee and alcohol, processed and junk food in readiness for the detox, and drink more water, fruit and herb teas.

** The elderly, infirm or those recovering from a serious illness should check with their Doctor first if radically changing their diet.

Sam is able to offer functional testing regarding hormone profiles, thyroid profile, stool and gut analysis, hair and mineral testing and IgE allergy testing.  Sam is a member of BANT (British Association of Nutritional Therapists).  These tests help give an accurate picture of what is happening within the body.

Further information is available from Sam Silvester at Wantage Natural Therapy Centre on 01235 760079.