Most people like to eat a healthy diet throughout the year, but during the summer months, shedding a few pounds can feel even more important.
And for those hoping to lose weight, it could be as easy as ensuring you pick the right vegetables. Health guru Michael Mosley has now shared his favourite food for helping dieters to slim down.
The expert, who is famed for creating the famous 5:2 and Fast 800 eating plans, has been revealing his biggest tips and life hacks during his podcast Just One Thing on BBC Sounds. During the 14-minute shows, he's covered a range of topics from how to boost your immune system to the best fruit to eat when you have a sugar craving.
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Joining him on his latest podcast was food expert Tim Spector, a doctor and epidemiologist, as the pair discussed what we should be eating in order to be at our healthiest, both for ideal weight and food that boosts our overall wellbeing.
And one food that has been hailed as both a 'medicine' and also boosts our energy levels is beetroot - which is packed with good nutrients. Michael said: "Beetroots are rich in nitrates, it leads to release of nitrous oxide which expands your blood vessels all over your body."
He then told followers that the vegetable is also an aphrodisiac.
Tim agreed they were a great example of "food as medicine". He said: "It actually reduces blood pressure. In proper randomised controlled trials, this is actually a lot more effective and a lot more pleasant than getting rid of salt."
The expert admitted he didn't like beetroot as a child but now really enjoys it taste. He told listeners that the one thing everyone should be aiming for was to eat 30 plants each week.
These can include nuts, seeds, coffee, spices, dark chocolate and fruit and vegetables. He told the show it was easier than it sounds and it would boost people's gut health - offering more energy.
During another podcast, Dr Mosley shared three food types to avoid for people hoping to lose weight fast. They included sugar, starchy carbs and ultra-processed food.
Dr Mosley said: "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".
