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The next time you decide to tighten the reins on your diet, avoid many of those ridiculous diet trends out there, no matter how appealing they sound. If it sounds too easy, is temporary or harsh, then most likely it’s the wrong way to lose weight. Most quick-fix diets are harmful and will lead to health problems, plus the weight will most likely return anyhow. Avoid making the mistakes that so many women make and avoid these ridiculous diet trends.
1. The Baby Food Diet

This diet has been made popular by celebrities and is one of the most ridiculous diet trends out there. The diet recommends eating up to 14 jars per day of pureed baby foods in an attempt to shed pounds quickly. For starters, this idea is ludicrous to begin with! It isn't based on a lifestyle approach. I can guarantee you in a week you’ll be so sick of baby food and buying nothing but jars of pureed mush that you’ll be ready to dive into any bag of cookies and chips you can get your hungry little hands on. The Baby Food Diet is devoid of protein and fats. Adults need more protein and fats than babies for a healthy metabolism, and we need it from whole foods  as much as possible. We need to be able to chew food to secrete certain nutrients from it, and activate digestive enzymes through the chewing process. Please avoid this ridiculous diet trend which can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, and anemia. You may lose a few pounds but unless you’re willing to eat this way the rest of your life, then you’ll only gain it right back in a few days.

2. The Red Bull Diet

Whether or not you enjoy energy drinks is your own business, but when you start using them as food to lose weight, then we have a serious problem, ladies! Many women use energy drinks to replace breakfast and lunch. They believe the caffeine and stimulants can suppress their hunger, burn more calories and give them energy. With this energy comes a crash later on, which can lead to unhealthy food cravings and a screwy metabolism. Your body’s best friend for weight loss is eating! You can't trick your body by not eating. When you don't eat regular meals, your body goes into famine mode and learns to store fat! Eating the right foods for breakfast and lunch will lead to weight loss, not Red Bull. Unless you want to suffer adrenal fatigue, a slow metabolism and develop an addiction to those pricey energy drinks, don’t buy into this hype one bit.

3. The Apple Cider Vinegar Diet

This ridiculous diet trend is an oldie, but one of the most popular ones still lingering around. The diet consists of drinking 1-3 tbsp. of vinegar with or before meals to slow insulin resistance and ultimately lead to weight loss. Now, first things first. Vinegar has been proven to slow the rate of insulin into cells, which stabilizes blood sugar levels. There’s no denying the results from numerous amounts of diabetic research on this, however, using apple cider vinegar as a diet method alone, outside of eating healthy, is not a valid way to lose weight. I once fell for  this claim and found over time that the apple cider vinegar made my stomach acidic, throat burn and even made me a little sick the more I used. Now, I simply use it to dress my salads for a nice tangy seasoning with the perks of it lowering my blood sugar during the meal. If you use this vinegar, by all means you may still enjoy doing so, but don’t use it alone as a dieting method to make up for unhealthy eating or dieting patterns.

4. Cabbage Soup Diet

This dieting method has also been around for quite some time. The diet involves eating a special vegetable soup recipe, made with cabbage of course, for two weeks to lose weight fast. I even had a boss once that tried it. At the end of two weeks of eating nothing but her cabbage soup for meals, she only lost 2 pounds. Her husband on the other hand ate lean meats and veggies at each meal and lost 10 pounds. What does this tell you? The body’s metabolism slows down when enough protein and fat isn't eaten. Don’t make vegetables the only foods that make up your diet. While they are crucial for healthy weight loss and disease prevention, our bodies weren't made to thrive on them alone.

If you're new to fermented foods, I can't wait to share the benefits of these amazing creations by nature that can literally, change your body from the inside out. Fermented foods are foods that have been left to sit for periods of time, or essentially rot. Yet, they don't go bad. Instead over the time period they are left to sit, they actually cultivate or ferment healthy bacteria. They can be made with either an added culture starter, or all own their own through their natural fermentation abilities. Fermentation has been used throughout history to preserve foods, enhance health, and eliminate disease and bad bacteria. Fermented and cultured foods contain probiotics that aid digestion and help to cleanse the body from harmful agents, toxins and pollutants. They are very simple to make and there are billions of healthy bacteria in living, fermented foods. These bacteria help to alkalize the body, and can even help you lose weight because they eliminate toxins and even stored weight from the body over time. Fermented foods are also great for your skin, and can help digest any meal they are eaten with. Add some of these fermented foods to your diet, preferably two or three a day. You'll not only feel better in no time, but your immune system will be stronger, your skin will look clearer, and your figure will even benefit too!
1. Sauerkraut

One of the oldest fermented foods of all time is the German food, sauerkraut. Soldiers used kraut in times of war, when disease was on the rise and a problem for survival. By simply bottling cabbage, salt and water in a crock or container and letting it sit covered to ferment for a few days, a natural miracle food was born. Sauerkraut is very easy to digest and great for curing any stomach issue. It also helps an acidic stomach by bringing the pH levels back into balance. It is often eaten with meat based meals to aid in digestion of the meats, though I prefer eating it  with a huge green salad! It adds a zippy, tangy taste that is incredible, and is rich in probiotics. Be sure to buy a kind without distilled vinegar and that is refrigerated. Many shelf brands contain additives, sugar and preservatives.

2. Kimchi

I like to think of kimchi as sauerkraut gone wild! Kimchi is cabbage and other veggies like garlic, carrots, green onions and sometimes celery, that also contains added red peppers for spice. I love kimchi! It is so zippy and tangy and contains all the same benefits as kraut. Both kimchi and kraut are very easy to make at home, with or without a starter culture. Add it to salads, on top of cooked greens, on toast or a sandwich, tuna salad, or have it alongside any meal of your choosing.

3. Pickles

Did you know the common pickle is one of the best probiotic rich foods of all? Now, I'm not talking about those popular brands you'll find on the store shelves that you probably grew up eating. I mean true pickles, free of food dyes, preservatives, sugars, calcium chloride, or any other unnatural food ingredient. Pickles are nothing more than salt, water and cucumbers in their most natural form. I like to make my own at home and flavor them with mustard seeds and a little red pepper and onions. You can actually flavor them however you like. Bubbles brand  makes great pickles that contain nothing but cucumbers, salt and Artesian well water, and they are a must-have in my kitchen when I'm craving a good pickle but don't have time for mine to ferment on their own.

4. Cacao

Have you ever smelled raw cacao nibs? They actually have a fermented smell similar to wine, not chocolate. Raw cacao is full of probiotics, and pure dark chocolate actually has some too, just not as much. Chocolate is made by letting cocoa beans ferment, just like coffee beans are. This helps develop their flavor and preserve them as well. Cacao beans develop natural bacteria that feed healthy bacteria in your body and can improve your digestion. I love raw cacao nibs, raw cacao powder, and I also love plain 100% baking bars too. Aren't you glad to know that one of your favorite "guilty" foods is actually good for you and your tummy? Keep it to one or two ounces a day if you're watching your figure though, and stay away from those with added sugars,milk or oils.

Gluten-free Choices

Many people avoid gluten when losing weight, and I think that’s generally a good guideline to go by. So many people are sensitive to gluten these days, due to how processed it has become in many of our food choices in the food industry. Eating any food you’re allergic or sensitive to, including gluten, can stall or reverse weight loss. Oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, but often gets processed in gluten contaminated facilities, making it unsafe for gluten sensitive individuals. Yet, luckily, there are many certified gluten-free oat choices available, which are processed  in certified gluten-free facilities. My absolute favorite gluten-free brand of oats is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Rolled Oats and Extra-Thick Rolled Oats. I buy mine online to save money since they can be pricey in stores, as many certified gluten-free foods are.
Diuretic

Did you know oatmeal can actually help you shed excess water weight? Who knew, right? Oatmeal is incredibly high in B vitamins and potassium, which make it a natural diuretic. B vitamins are water soluble, so your body consumes what it needs, and excretes the rest via the kidneys. Potassium is an essential mineral your body needs, which regulates water levels in the body. It competes with sodium to make sure your body is well hydrated around the clock. As sodium can cause bloat, potassium does the opposite, by reducing water levels in the body. Therefore, oatmeal is a natural diuretic, which is great to beat bloating during PMS, or after overeating, and to reduce water weight gain overall.B Vitamins

Speaking of those B vitamins, they’re great for weight loss! In fact, they’re essential. B vitamins are responsible for a large number of factors when it comes to giving your metabolism energy to burn calories for fuel. Without enough, you’ll suffer fatigue, a stalled or low metabolism, and even feel depressed and lethargic. Oatmeal contains large numbers of Vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and even a little B12. This is one reason it gives you so much energy, as well as provides fuel for your metabolism to burn fat faster.
Lower Carb

Though oatmeal is actually a carbohydrate from starch, which can stall weight loss for many, it’s the best low carbohydrate grain you can consume. Per serving, it is lower in carbohydrates than all other grains, making it better for your blood sugar, and your overall weight loss efforts. Oatmeal contains 28 grams of carbohydrates per ½ cup serving of rolled oats, compared to almost 35 grams in quinoa, and almost 50 grams in most rice varieties, with both of the latter having much less fiber. When you look at the fact that 6 of those carbohydrates from oatmeal’s 28 grams come from fiber, and none come from sugar, it makes it an even better choice for low-carb eaters, or anyone sensitive to carbohydrates.
Filling

Do you ever notice that you're full for hours after you eat oatmeal? I find I can’t even fathom eating again for at least 3 hours after a good bowl of oats. This super-filling factor is one reason it makes such a great food for raising the metabolism by providing  long-lasting fuel, and staving off hunger that leads to junk food cravings. Be mindful though, this isn’t the case if you load your oatmeal up with sugary ingredients, unhealthy fats, or unnecessary additives that will hinder weight loss. Also remember that using instant oats will not provide the same filling factor as using rolled, steel-cut, or whole oat groats will. You can see more information below on the best oatmeal options.
Canvas for Healthy Toppings

I also love that oatmeal is a canvas for healthy toppings, which can further enhance your weight loss efforts. When choosing weight loss friendly toppings for your oatmeal, be sure that you pick smart choices. My favorite choices are cinnamon, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, slivered or sliced raw almonds, raw walnuts, liquid stevia, ginger, cardamom, coconut flour to add a cakey texture, and even a little vegan protein powder like Sunwarrior Warrior Blend. I also like to cook mine with Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk for a creamy texture that’s low calorie, and makes it taste decadently rich. You can add any of your favorite healthy choices like berries, raw nuts, apples, bananas, plain Greek yogurt, cacao nibs, and even a little bit of nut butter if you like! So long as you don’t use sugar, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and excess saturated fat, you’ll have a delicious bowl of oatmeal that’s perfect for your weight loss efforts, no matter what toppings you choose. Adding certain toppings, such as the ones I mentioned, can help keep you fuller longer, and adds a large number of beneficial ingredients to your morning breakfast.