Researchers Uncover Unique Diet Tips

Low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb, low-G.I. -- it seems like there are a million different diets out there, each of which claims to be the only one that works. For dieters just getting started on their weight loss journey, it can be difficult to know where to start.

The one thing that all of the popular diet plans have in common is that they require a substantial effort from the dieter hoping to lose weight. If you're going the low-calorie, low-fat route, you have to be prepared to count calories, withstand temptation, and fight off your cravings if you want to see long-term results.

On the other hand, if you're opting for the low-carb or low-G.I. approach to weight loss, you'll have to develop the iron will and nerves of steel that it will take to go cold turkey on all of your favorite carb-laden comfort foods. For people who love their bread, pasta, beer, and candy, these diets can be a harrowing exercise in self-control.

Even if none of these options sound good to you, you may still be in luck. According to recent research, you may find success adopting a more unorthodox approach to weight loss. This week, we'll take a look at a few recent studies that have identified unique and off-the-wall weight loss methods that just might work.

Researchers Say That Out of Sight, Out of Mind Just Might Work

Dieters are constantly struggling with cravings and temptations. Giving in to treats, sweets, and snacks throughout the day can derail the most well-intentioned weight loss effort. If you struggle with temptation all day long while on a diet, researchers at Cornell University offer this sage advice: avert your eyes.

According to a recent study, women who worked in close proximity to a clear glass bowl of Hershey's kisses ate more than women who stored the snacks in a non-transparent container. In other words, if we are constantly faced with a ready supply of snacks and treats, we are much more likely to give in.

For this reason, diet experts recommend storing unhealthy foods in an inaccessible, out-of-the-way container. Better yet, if you struggle with the thought of temptation even when your chocolate chip cookies or cherry bon-bons are out of sight, simply get rid of them. You can't overeat something that isn't available.

Study Shows that Dieters Can Sleep Their Way to Weight Loss

Researchers at Stanford University recently stumbled on a surprising finding: dieters who sleep longer typically have more success with their weight loss efforts. Furthermore, normal-weight individuals who get the recommended eight hours typically maintain a healthy weight with less effort than their sleep-deprived peers.

What does sleep have to do with the numbers on the scale? The scientists at Stanford hypothesized that these findings may be the result of chemical compounds that are produced while our bodies are at rest. Men and women who consistently get less sleep than their bodies need may have deficiencies of these compounds.

Although there are many chemicals and hormones produced during sleep, the most important substances are leptin and ghrelin, which regulate appetite, body weight, and cravings. Both of these hormones were found to be imbalanced in individuals with insufficient sleep habits.

Drinking Green Tea May Speed Up Your Weight Loss

You've probably heard a lot about the health benefits of green tea. Most of the research on green tea's health impact has focused on the cancer-fighting antioxidants that are plentiful in this popular drink.

Another health benefit that has been attributed to green tea is weight loss and weight control. However, until recently, the reports linking green tea to weight loss were largely anecdotal, rather than research-based. A study conducted by scientists at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic indicates that there may be some truth to this assertion.

Although the conclusions of the study were mixed, there did seem to be a persistent correlation between regular green tea consumption and improved weight control. If consumed with a meal, it is believed that green tea may speed the metabolic process, helping the body to burn more calories while cutting down on the absorption of dietary fat and carbohydrates. The researchers caution that it is too soon to fully back green tea as a weight loss cure-all, but most people can incorporate small daily doses of the drink into their diets without adverse effects.

If you're looking for a solution to your weight loss struggles, talk to your doctor to develop a diet plan that will work for you. Don't forget to check back each week for the fitness, nutrition, and weight loss news you need to succeed!