How to Lose Weight With Ginger

Ginger aids in digestion by boosting pH in stomach acid and helps lower cholesterol. It is also a powerful antioxidant and can be used in conjunction with other spices to make healthy vegetables and low-fat meats more palatable. You can incorporate ginger into you diet in a number of healthy---and tasty---ways.

Things You'll Need:

1/2 cup fresh ginger root
Sharp knife or grater
3 cups water
Strainer
Honey or calorie-free sweetener
Salt
Lemon juice

Instructions

1 Brew a quick ginger tea for sipping before meals (to quell appetite and aid digestion). Grate or chop 1/2 cup ginger into a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, or to desired strength. Strain the ginger from the water and sweeten with a small amount of honey or calorie-free sweetener. Enjoy a cup one to three times per day, or sip to relieve nausea or cold symptoms.

2 Cut off a small piece of ginger from the root and chew it before each meal.

3 Grate fresh, peeled ginger into sauteed vegetables or stir fry.

4 Grate ginger into a small amount of salt and lemon juice; nibble a little at a time before meals.

Tips & Warnings

Cut ginger into thin slices before grating or chopping to prevent chewy fibers in your food.

Store ginger in the refrigerator and use within one week. You may also peel fresh ginger and freeze it for up to three months.

Sip ginger tea to alleviate motion sickness, morning sickness and general nausea.

If no fresh ginger is available, you can substitute 1/8 tsp. ground ginger for every tablespoon of fresh ginger called for in a recipe. Ground ginger is not recommended for ginger tea.

Do not choose ginger roots that appear wrinkled, as this signals ginger that is no longer fresh.

Excessive use of ginger for medicinal purposes can actually cause nausea, as well as heartburn and mouth irritation. Consult your doctor for advice before introducing high levels of ginger into your diet.

Do not take ginger if you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners without first consulting your doctor. Ginger is a natural blood thinner.