Are chemical calories making us fat?

All people are endowed with a natural 'slimming system', which is made up of a variety of factors: appetite, metabolism, hormone levels, fat burning, body heat and exercise. Each person's body tries to attain its own ideal weight in time of need or plenty by adjusting these mechanisms. By eating fewer chemical calories that distort this process and consuming more 'slimming' nutrients, Baillie-Hamilton claims we can enhance our capacity to maintain a healthy weight.

Apparently, if we eat more organic food we can lose weight. To minimise the intake of chemical calories she suggests ways to store foods - keep them in glass or ceramic (not plastic) containers and make sure they stay cool. If, for whatever reason, you can't or won't go organic, there is advice for lessening the quantity of chemical calories in normal food. And if you're convinced by her argument, there is a comprehensive detox eating plan at the end of the book, with an entire chapter of menus and recipes to get you started on a chemical-free, slimmer life. Be warned: charcoal and clay play a large part in the recommended daily requirements.