For those who want to lose weight this summer, doctor Michael Mosley recommended “cutting right down” on three food groups.
Sugar
The first one is sugar, including pastries, ice creams and other desserts. “Cut right down on sugar, sugary treats, drinks and desserts,” the doctor said.
“That includes most breakfast cereals, which are usually full of sugar, as well as most commercial smoothies.”
Starchy carbs
The second food group that needs to be removed from the diet is “starchy carbs”. Dr Mosley advised: “Minimise or avoid starchy carbs – meaning the white stuff: bread, pasta, potatoes and white rice.”
Instead, he recommended switching “to whole grains including bulgur (cracked wheat), whole rye, wholegrain barley, wild rice and buckwheat – brown rice is OK”.
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He added: “Legumes such as lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas are healthy and filling, too.”
Ultra-processed food
Finally, he explained that processed food and meat should also be avoided when trying to lose weight.
Dr Mosley said: “Ultra-processed foods include chicken nuggets, burgers, chips, pizzas, hotdogs, pre-packaged meals, mass-produced ice cream, sweets, crisps, energy bars, bakery goods, biscuits, margarine and pretty well anything that says ‘instant’.
“Processed foods and takeaways could be to blame for the UK’s obesity epidemic,” he claimed.
Breakfast cereals, smoothies and pastries are banned when trying to lose weight, so what can dieters eat in the morning?
Michael Mosley explained that having eggs for breakfast is the best option because they will “keep you feeling fuller for longer compared with cereal or toast”.
“Boiled, poached, scrambled or as an omelette. Delicious with greens and parmesan or smoked salmon and a sprinkle of chilli,” he suggested.
Consuming foods high in protein in the morning helps slimmers stay full for longer. Other good sources of protein are vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans and fish.
“One of the main reasons for opting for a low carb, high protein breakfast is that you won’t then get famished in the middle of the morning and feel tempted to tuck into a pastry.
“Lots of studies have shown that if you eat a protein-rich breakfast, perhaps something with egg or fish, then this will keep you fuller for longer,” Dr Mosley added.
