3 Acronyms to Help You Get Slim this Year

Now that the holidays have come and gone, and spring is just around the corner, it’s time to get a jumpstart on slimming down. Keep it simple by remembering—and incorporating—three simple acronyms: MCTs, ACV, and DCW.

You can see me chatting about these acronyms with the team of The Doctors here:

 

MCTs: Medium Chain Triglycerides

Not all fats are equal! Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a unique form of dietary fat found naturally in coconut oil and grass-fed butters that have been shown to reduce inflammation, support healthy gut bacteria, rev up your energy—and MCTs suppress your hunger and appetite. Your body is able to use this type of fat as energy without it being put into long term storage, and since it is burned off quickly in relation to other fats it helps to prevent weight gain.

 

My favorite way of getting MCT oil is with unrefined, organic coconut oil, mixed with ghee made from organic, grass-fed butter. The combination gives you the different sort of MCTs that offer the best benefit. These oils raise your good cholesterol, helps your gut, and balances your hormones. I recommend about 10 grams per day, or 2 teaspoons of ghee or coconut oil. Try your own homemade version of MCT tea or coffee by whipping a teaspoon each of coconut oil and grass-fed butter. I recommend using a hand whisk or an immersion blender because putting hot liquids in a blender can cause them to expand and spatter. You can also look for MCT oil online and in health food stores. I love to add my MCT oil to my smoothie for a quick and healthy breakfast. Try this:

 

Berry Bomb: In a blender, combine 1 cup coconut or almond milk (unsweetened), 2 scoops of vanilla or plain protein powder, 2 tsp MCT oil (one or a mixture of organic, unrefined coconut oil, grass-fed butter, or ghee), 1 cup of frozen mixed berries, and a ½ cup of spinach or kale (optional). Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

 

ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great at balancing your blood sugar and also helps to prevent fat accumulation on your liver and yeast (candida) in your gut. High levels of candida have been linked to sugar cravings, and ACV helps to manage this. Apple cider vinegar also helps balance your body’s pH level, which reduces risk of infections, improves digestion, and increases energy levels. A study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that consuming acetic acid, the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar, leads to significant decline in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides after 12 weeks.

 

If you’re one of my patients, or if you’ve read one of my books then you know about my morning ACV shot. One shot first thing in the morning (before coffee or tea) is a great way to aid digestion and also give your immune system a boost all day long. Just mix 1 tablespoon organic raw apple cider vinegar with 3 tablespoons water. Bottoms up!

You can also use apple cider vinegar in place of any vinaigrette recipe as a marinade or salad dressing, or get your ACV in this yummy smoothie.

 

DCW Tonic: Dandelion Greens, Celery, & Water Tonic

This is my own personal hormone balancing and digestion cleansing tonic that I love. This tonic also helps to manage your appetite and helps your metabolism run at top speed. Dandelion greens act as a liver purifier and celery is a diuretic, and both aid digestion and are a good source of fiber. This is an especially good tonic to have after a day of overindulging in sweet or fatty foods. I usually blend up the following and then sip on it cold throughout the day:

 

DCW Smoothie: In a blender, mix ½ cup grated raw or steamed beats, 1 chopped carrot, 2 chopped ribs of celery, 3/4 cup dandelion greens, 1 cup of water and a few ice cubes.