It’s hard to open a newspaper (old skool technology) or browse the internet without coming across dire warnings about the rise of obesity. There are new statistics everywhere. So we all go out and grab some junk food, thinking about all those poor suckers out there putting on those extra pounds. Have you noticed how the portions in fast-food outlets make like the caveman just hit the big time with a mammoth killed on the latest hunt. The plate overflows with food. Even the so-called mini meals have enough calories in them to keep a family of ten alive in a South American village for a month. Let’s make a list. All this is processed food so all the "meat" is recovered, i.e. they suck every last bit off the bones and mix all the good and less good stuff together to make those burgers. Just in case it doesn’t taste quite as good as real meat, they fill it up with chemicals to enhance the taste, sweeten it, make it salty (just like we like it), and top it off with preservatives because it may have to sit around for a year or so before we come along to eat it. And don’t get started on the sweetened sodas, deep-fried onion rings, chips (some actually cut out of real potatoes), and all those side dishes stuffed with calories in their salad dressings. It’s not rocket science to understand just how far these meals are from the healthy options. Everything about them adds extra calories and those extra calories are pounds on your weight and inches on your waist.

And just what is it that makes junk food so attractive (apart from the sweetness and saltiness)? It’s all over the place. No matter where you turn, it’s convenient to pick it up. It tempts us to put on weight. But, hey, eating from fresh fruit is convenient. Pick up an apple. Bite into it. Instant food in a convenient package. Sure it’s more effort to stay home and actually cook fresh food rather than take one of those trays out of the freezer and zap it in the microwave. But fresh food tastes so much better. You can control the portion sizes. The food still has vitamins inside. No more diet supplements for you.

So what’s the program? Start with drinks. No more sodas. There’s nothing wrong with water. Squeeze some lemon or lime into it to give it a little taste. Or make fresh juice. And remember skimmed milk. Get used to unsweetened coffee and tea. As to a menu? Start with a good breakfast of cereals, fruit and wholegrain bread. High fiber keeps the hunger away. No snacks between meals. As to the other two meals, go for variety. Boredom is your worst enemy. And if all this is a struggle, there’s Phentermine. This is the best of the appetite suppressors. To help you get used to the different taste of real food (kicking the habit of oversweet, oversalted food), cook with fresh herbs and spices. Make your own dressings based on olive oil. Sure, it’s all an effort. But this is your body so look after it, OK! Remember the Phentermine if the going gets tough. This is not something you should rely on in the long term. But Phentermine can see you through the darker days when you might give up.