Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (51 page)

Very dry skin and hair

Yellow tint to skin

If you have three or more of the above symptoms, you may have an underactive thyroid. Ask your GP for a blood test to check it out. Be aware, however, that sometimes if you have a very mild form of thyroid malfunction, it will go undetected in a blood test.

Water retention

If you suffer from water retention, it is, somewhat paradoxically, important to drink plenty of water and herbal teas. This is because water retention can be a sign that you are dehydrated, meaning the body holds onto water for fear of becoming further dehydrated. It is also a sign that there may be excess sodium in the body. This needs to be flushed out with extra fluids (not soda and coffee). Vegetable juices are perfect due to their high potassium content—potassium is needed to balance sodium in the body. Dandelion and nettle teas both have gentle water balancing effects and contain potassium along with other minerals. B complex, specifically vitamin B
₆
, may also be helpful in relieving water retention.

Good foods for healthy weight loss

Adzuki beans—
my weight loss bean of choice. High in fiber, low in calories, rich in many nutrients, including potassium, which can help reduce water retention, and magnesium, needed for energy.

Almonds—
research shows that almonds can assist in weight loss. This may be due to their blood-sugar balancing qualities and rich nutrient content.

Apples and pears—
research shows that daily consumption of apples can benefit weight loss. This is partly due to their low glycemic index, meaning they do not cause highs and lows of blood sugar. They thus give you sustained energy while providing
very few calories and lots of fiber and nutrients, including chromium, needed for blood-sugar regulation and energy.

Blueberries—
rich in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants.

Brown rice—
rich in tryptophan, the amino acid that converts to 5HTP and serotonin in the brain, helping reduce appetite and improve mood.

Cucumbers—
low in calories and have a high water content that can help with internal cleansing and satiety.

Ginger—
warming spice that can get things moving in the body, particularly the blood and lymph circulation. Good for metabolism generally.

Leafy greens—
high in fiber and nutrients. They are particularly rich in magnesium, chromium, and B vitamins, all needed for the conversion of food into energy and blood-sugar stability.

Miso soup—
whole soy products contain phytoestrogens, which have been shown to have a beneficial effect on weight loss. Miso is also rich in bio-available protein needed to keep blood-sugar levels stable and enzymes needed for digestion.

Oats—
rich in soluble fiber and slow releasing carbohydrates, meaning they keep you feeling satisfied.