Geri Halliwell Shows Off Trim Physique, Is Done With Crash Diets

On 09, Aug 2012 | In Lifestyle | By Covanity

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Who’s that cuddling up to Wilfred Frost, son of TV interviewer Sir David Frost? It’s former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell!

Halliwell, 40, and Frost, 26, were snapped at an after party at the Royal Court Theatre in West London early last month. Donning a pair of figure-hugging leather pants, Halliwell generously showed off her outstanding figure that screams “Foxy Forty”!

Halliwell’s Done with Crash Diets

Despite being known for her fluctuating weight, Halliwell didn’t get her trim physique from yo-yo dieting. Quite the opposite – she’s done with crash diets, the singer-songwriter told Glamour UK. “If I put pressure on myself to suddenly lose weight for a specific day, I’ll end up overeating instead,” she reasoned. Now, she eats sensibly.

Halliwell no longer ignores her cravings; instead, she snacks to prevent backfire. “I believe in snacking because if I’m too hungry then I’m going to stuff more,” she added.

Geri Halliwell

Snacking Can Help You Lose Weight

According to a study, snacking can help you maintain or lose weight. Having healthy snacks between meals can fill you up and prevent you from overeating.

Halliwell agreed: “If I try to avoid [my cravings], I’ll eat five slices of bread and then eat [whatever I'm craving for] anyway, so I might as well just have exactly what I really want and then move on.”

So, what does Halliwell snack on? “I eat lots of almonds, and I have treats like chocolate too,” she said.

You probably already know that nuts are filling and are packed with nutrients. Almonds, in particular, are the king of all nuts, so much so that they’ve become Nicole Richie’s go-to snack.

Chocolate Is a “Lazy Man’s Exercise”

Surprisingly, chocolates aren’t the diet demon that many make them to be. According to ABC News, a new research suggests snacking on chocolate is associated with a lower body mass index, or BMI, a measure of body fatness.

According to the study, participants who ate chocolate more often consumed more calories and saturated fat. They didn’t exercise any more than those who ate less chocolate. Yet, those who ate more of the sweet delights still had a lower BMI. In fact, researchers reported that eating chocolate five times a week was linked to a decrease in BMI of 1 kg/m2.

It’s believed that the lower BMI is likely due to the high concentration of epicatechin, a flavonoid found in cocoa, tea, blueberries, and grapes. According to Dr. Peter McCullough, chief academic and scientific officer at St. John Providence Health System in Michigan, epicatechin from cocoa is more satisfying than other treats; it also helps you exert greater control over food urges.

“[To] put it pointedly, chocolate could be called a lazy man’s exercise,” remarked Dr. Franz Messerli, director of the hypertension program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

Dark Chocolate Is a Health Indulgence

However, the study only examined the frequency of consumption; it didn’t specify the quantity nor distinguish between dark and milk chocolate. Based on previous studies on the benefits of dark chocolate, some experts believe the evidences are strong enough to recommend patients to include the treat in their diet.

“Best is dark chocolate, and best is to keep it to about an ounce per day,” said Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian and associate clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. “That amounts to only about 150 calories – a lot less than any pastry they’d eat.”

McCullough concurred: “Higher cocoa chocolate is relatively low in sugar, and the fatty acid in chocolate products is probably not as worrisome as other fats.” If you’re trying to lose weight, he suggested adding a little premium-quality chocolate to your diet.

Although more research is needed to clarify the role chocolate plays in weight control, experts agree that a little “indulgence” certainly won’t hurt. “Dark chocolate is a health indulgence,” said Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. “If you choose wisely, and ‘dose’ moderately, it can fit into a healthful diet and not cause weight gain.” He continued, “What is clear is that dark chocolate stands out as an example of a food we love that has considerable potential to love us back.”

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