Lani Lopez - Summer loving soups

Summer is fine and the living is easy. Too easy. If you think during summer you’ll lose weight you may be disappointed.

Normally winter is the season that we add on pounds, but now many are finding that summer is the time that they stack on weight, especially over the age of 40. Summer treats, ice-creams, smoothies, milk-shakes, chips and dips are popular summer foods but they pack on the pounds around the belly.

I confess I like a bit of belly fat. But, if you have too much it can cause you to gain even more weight. What?  The ‘belly fat’ is a special type of fat that can make you gain weight.

How much belly fat is too much? Men should have a measurement of below 102cm in circumference and women 88cm waist cicumference.

Argh... what are we to do? Like you, I don’t want to live on carrot sticks and humus and run everyday but we can’t sit around and do nothing about it either because the consequences are serious.

High blood pressure, prediabetes and high cholesterol are common symptoms with excessive belly fat. A close friend recently told me he had type 2 diabetes. He’s embarrassed because he is a natural therapist too. After years of  bad dietary choices without  exercise he has obesity, although he did not have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Essentially he thought he was off 'Scott' free with a bit of a cuddly big belly.  Now, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes he has to try undo all the years of bad habits. It's going to be hard.

The belly fat is a special type of fat called adipose tissue. It is recognised in itself as a hormonal organ, making hormones including leptin, oestrogen and resistin. Gut fat can even increase inflammation in the body.

Gherlin released by the stomach lining, increases appetite. To help switch it off the stomach must be stretched to full capacity. A cold soup will do just that.  When the stomach is stretched the “I’m hungry feed me” hormone called ghrelin is turned off. And this stops you from feeling hungry and snacking.

Leptin is a hormone released by belly fat (adipose tissue). It controls feelings of hunger and satiety when you feel full. Like resistin, the more fat you have on your belly the more leptin is released, increasing hunger.

Insulin is a hormone that the pancreas releases to help us use and store sugar.  Supplementwith bitter melon herb (Garcinia cambogia) and the mineral chromium.  Eat low carbohydrate, low sugar foods with lean meats, good fats and fresh vegetables and fruit. This supports insulin receptivity and output reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Thyroxin made by our thyroid gland has a clear influence on body weight. Iodine comes into play for New Zealanders as we tend to have low iodine levels. See your doctor for more information or have your thyroid checked and increase iodine rich seaweed in your diet.

Some foods reduce thyroid function blocking iodine. Avoid all foods high in thiourea (these reduce thyroid function): Raw Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, peaches, peanuts, pears, rutabaga, spinach, strawberries, soy and turnips.  If you eat them make sure that they’ve gone through a cooking process to inactivate their inhibiting nature on iodine. These foods are classified as goitragens.

Kiran Churgh and his team from the Department of Biochemistry in India discovered that both subclinical hypothyroidism and the metabolic syndrome; a combination of obesity, high blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure, have been associated with increased risk of heart disease. That’s because healthy thyroid function depends on keeping your blood sugar and fat storage in a normal range and vise versa.
Bust your gut the right way. Exercise and see a naturopath or Functional medicine doctor or health practitioner. There are ways to control and manage your weight by targeting the correct issues and hormones. It’s not a walk in the park by any means and will take time and effort, but you’re worth it.


Cold soups for weight loss

Seaweed Soup
Seaweed contains natural iodine to support thyroid health if it is under-functioning.

Soak a handful of seaweed and then chop finely. Boil until cooked and drain under cold water. Strain. Julienne or finely slice a cucumber and add to the seaweed. Finely julienne a green chili. Add cold water, sesame oil and sesame seeds, 1 tsp of sugar and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Serve up in a bowl with 2 ice-cubes.


Capsicum soup
Capsicum contains capsaicin that has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. It also found to have high levels of vitamin C and reduce high triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels.

1 Peeled roasted yellow capsicum
3 cups of peeled tomatoes, cored and divided
1 cup chopped red onion
2 Tbl olive oil
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Blend the roasted pepper and half the tomatoes with onion and oil and puree until smooth. Transfer to a large metal bowl. Puree the remaining tomatoes until smooth and add to the bowl; stir to combine. Refrigerate the gazpacho until chilled, at least 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper.


Cucumber and avocado soup
Avocados contain more potassium than bananas and have healthy monounsaturated fat that can lower cholesterol when eaten in moderation.

4 cups of peeled deseeded cucumber slices
1 peeled avocado (no pip)
1 1/2 cups of chicken broth
1/2 tsp of salt and pepper and a pinch of cayenne
1/2 cup of low fat yoghurt
1 Tbl of lemon juice
1 diced small red onion
1 cloves of minced garlic
1/4 cup of parsley and chopped spring onion for garnish.

Cook garlic and onion on a low heat until transparent. Add lemon juice, 3 cups of cucumber slices, broth and seasoning. Cook until cucumber is soft.
Puree avocado and cucumber mixture in blender. Add the rest of the raw cucumber. Chill for up to 4 hours. Before serving add garnish of spring onion, or a little parsley.



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