Each month we pose questions from the Del Mar Community to our resident health and skincare expert, Andi Wright.
In this May edition of ‘Ask Me Anything’, Andi shares a simple trick for eating less at mealtimes without feeling hungry…
Natural ways to firm up your neck skin, so you can feel confident on those Zoom calls…
And the best sources of Omega-3s that aren’t fish oil:
Question 1: “What can I eat at mealtimes to avoid overeating and slim down in time for summer?”
If you’re looking to slim down in time for summer, you might be tempted to drastically cut calories or skip meals altogether.
But forcing yourself to eat less often backfires… as it leaves you feeling hungry and more likely to overeat later on.
Well, there’s a simple trick you can use to eat less at mealtimes without feeling deprived…
And that is to start your meal with a bowl of soup.
I know it sounds simple. But studies show eating soup before your main course leads to eating up to 20% fewer calories…
And that 20% reduction every dinner time adds up to a TON of calories over a couple of months… and a lot of pounds dropping down on the scales.
This is because soup takes up space in your stomach.
This then helps you feel fuller faster, so you’re less likely to overeat during the rest of your meal.
Here are 3 delicious soup recipes to try:
1. Tomato Basil Soup: Sauté onion and garlic, then add canned tomatoes, basil, and low-sodium vegetable broth. Simmer for 15 minutes and blend until smooth.
2. Butternut Squash Soup: Roast butternut squash, then blend with sautéed onion, garlic, low-sodium chicken broth, and a touch of coconut milk.
3. Minestrone Soup: Sauté onion, celery, and carrots, then add low-sodium vegetable broth, canned tomatoes, and your favorite beans and vegetables. Simmer until the veggies are tender.
By starting your meals with a nutrient-dense, low-calorie soup, you’ll naturally eat less without feeling like you’re sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
In fact, with this waist slimming soup technique, the only thing you’ll be suppressing is mindless overeating!
And if you’d like to accelerate your weight loss efforts at meal times, try taking Inner Light before your main meals as well.
Inner Light activates an enzyme called AMPK… which acts like a switch for your metabolism. And when AMPK is activated, your body burns up carbs and sugars faster, allowing you to slim down without having to make drastic diet changes.
Find out more about Inner Light
Question 2: “My neck skin looks awful on Zoom calls, but I don’t want to have to be covered up all the time when the weather gets warmer. How can I improve the appearance of my neck skin?”
You’re not alone feeling self-conscious on Zoom calls.
In fact, many experts say being on camera on Zoom calls explains why neck surgery is now the second most popular type of cosmetic surgery, after nose jobs.
But before you even think about going under the knife, try these natural tips for firming up your neck skin instead:
1. Practice good posture: Sitting up straight and keeping your chin parallel to the ground can help prevent neck wrinkles and sagging over time.
2. Do neck exercises: Simple exercises like tilting your head back and jutting out your lower lip can help tone the muscles in your neck and improve skin elasticity.
3. Exfoliation: Regularly exfoliating the neck area can remove dead skin cells, improve cell turnover, and promote a firmer appearance.You can use natural exfoliants like ground coffee mixed with a bit of olive oil.
By incorporating these simple habits into your daily routine, you can help keep your neck skin looking firm and youthful, without the need for surgery.
Or if you’d like something you can use just before Zoom calls to give yourself a firmer looking neck in minutes, try Total Neck Cream.
Unlike most neck creams (which are little better than moisturizers), Total Neck Cream addresses the root cause of saggy neck skin: Transdermal Breakdown…
And it provides a firmer, younger looking neck in 5 minutes flat.
Find out more about Total Neck Cream.
Question 3: “I read that most fish oil is contaminated with chemicals from fish farms. Where do you recommend I get Omega-3s from instead?”
Omega-3s have wonderful benefits for your skin’s moisture, to reverse decades of UV sun damage, and for looser joints.
But you’re right to be concerned about the quality of fish oil supplements.
Many fish oils are sourced from industrialized fish farms, where the fish are often fed GMO feed and treated with antibiotics and other chemicals.
These contaminants can end up in the fish oil, making it less effective and potentially harmful to your health.
Luckily, there are plenty of other sources of Omega-3s that are both safe and sustainable. Here are a few to try:
1. Algae oil: This plant-based source of Omega-3s is free from contaminants and is a great option for vegans and vegetarians.
2. Chia seeds: Just one ounce of chia seeds contains 5 grams of Omega-3s. Sprinkle them on yogurt or add them to smoothies for a nutrient boost.
3. Walnuts: A quarter-cup of walnuts contains 2.7 grams of Omega-3s. Enjoy them as a snack or add them to salads for a satisfying crunch.
4. Flaxseeds: One tablespoon of ground flaxseeds contains 1.6 grams of Omega-3s. Add them to oatmeal or baked goods for a nutty flavor and nutrient boost.
By incorporating these plant-based sources of Omega-3s into your diet, you can reap the benefits of these essential fatty acids for your skin without the risk of contaminants.
Due to the poor quality of store sold fish oils, we developed a fish oil of our own: OmegaShine.
OmegaShine is formulated from the fish oil of anchovies found in the pristine waters of Peru. And our advanced extraction process and encapsulation technology means it’s 300% more absorbable than any fish oil you may have tried.
Find out more about OmegaShine.
Have Any Health or Beauty Questions Of Your Own?
That wraps up another edition of ‘Ask Me Anything’. If you have any questions about health, beauty, or supplementation, we’d love to hear from you!
Just send us an email and we’ll pass your question along to Andi Wright. We reply to every email we receive, and your question may even be featured in a future edition of ‘Ask Me Anything’.
Until next time, take care of yourself and remember, true beauty starts from within.
