Chew on This!

It's not just dentists who recommend sugarless chewing gum — nutritionists are also big fans of the stuff because it's one of the best weight-loss tools around. If you're someone who "needs" something sweet at the end of a meal, gum satisfies without the added calories of dessert. Your daily caloric savings can really add up if you pop a stick instead of eating, say, a bowl of Chunky Monkey ice cream (290 calories per 1/2 cup), four Oreo cookies (200 calories), or a small chocolate bar (about 150 calories per ounce).
Gum is also a great nosh-and-nibble inhibitor when you're preparing meals (pasta and mint is not a good combo!) or when you're bored and just want something to chomp on. Keep a pack in your handbag, knapsack, desk drawer, kitchen cabinet, and TV room; then you'll always have a low-cal option when your sweet tooth kicks into high gear.

Can Spicy Foods Help You Lose Weight?

Q: Can spicy foods increase my metabolism?
A: Capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers that brings tears to the eyes, can actually rev up metabolism by as much as 8 percent. It does this by increasing body temperature, which explains why some people break into a sweat after eating super-spicy foods. Sounds good, BUT no one is clear how long this metabolic boost lasts, and the overall effect on weight appears to be minimal. More to the point, many people can't tolerate spicy foods, and most of us just don't eat them on a daily basis.
I think the real power of capsaicin is that it acts as an appetite suppressant (at least that's what studies have suggested). If you want to test this yourself, try having veggies doused in hot sauce or a cup of spicy broth before lunch or dinner. Then see if you eat less at mealtime and/or stay comfortably full for a longer time afterward