Diet secrets revealed

When it comes to what we should or shouldn't be eating, there's no shortage of information. The problem is, everyone's different - so what suits you? David Goding profiles 10 diet experts and reveals their top tips. You can pick the options that best suit you, for your perfect way to weight loss.

1. Ann Louise Gittleman

America's ‘First Lady of Nutrition', Ann Louise Gittleman has written 30 books concerning methods of dieting and detoxing. For the past three years Gittleman has worked with the world renowned Greenhouse Spa on Fat Flush and Fast Track cleansing programs.

Gittleman's latest book, Super Nutrition for Women is a scientifically-based nutrition program that takes into account women's distinct body chemistry and dietary needs and reveals the best way to incorporate them into any weight loss or workout plan.

Gittleman's top tips

• Eat plenty of essential fatty acids in the form of fish oil and gamma linolenic acid (found in evening primrose oil, borage or in supplementary form). They keep you healthy and help to lose weight.
• Be kind to your liver, avoid trans fatty acids, sugars, alcohol and over-the-counter medicines.
• Eat low glycaemic fruit and vegetables that contain vitamin C. These will delay the insulin response to glucose and help to balance blood sugar levels.

2. Aloysa Hourigan

Aloysa Hourigan is one of Australia's top experts in all matters relating to food. As senior Nutritionist and spokesperson for Nutrition Australia, Hourigan's highly respected opinion provides a level-headed response to many of the new dietary fads and so-called breakthroughs in nutritional thought.

Hourigan is central to Nutrition Australia's new five-year campaign called ‘Falling in Love with Food' launched during 2007 National Nutrition Week. Focusing on the workplace and schools, the campaign is about enjoying and respecting food rather than seeing food as an enemy. In fact, Hourigan says that truly appreciating food can lead to healthy weight loss without having to deprive yourself of the enjoyment of food.

Hourigan's top tips

• Take your time and focus on your food when eating - if you eat quickly you are less conscious of what you have eaten and are more likely to get hungry sooner.
• Include protein foods for lunch - this helps to improve alertness in late afternoon.