Practical tips for weight loss using diet aids such as drinking vinegar and drinking tea after meals.

Vinegar Diet: A few years ago, I started dieting. Besides exercise and dieting, I also frequently consumed vinegar. At first, I couldn't stand the taste, so I only drank it every few days. After getting used to it, I drank it every day, and it's been five years now, and my weight has remained good. — Zhou Li, Kunming

Doctor's Explanation: Vinegar contains amino acids, which can promote the consumption of excess body fat and enhance the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates. However, you should pay attention to controlling your diet while drinking vinegar, otherwise it can easily have the opposite effect (vinegar can promote digestion, thus causing the body to absorb more calories, resulting in weight gain). People with gastric prolapse, excessive stomach acid, or gastrointestinal diseases should not use this diet.

Post-Meal Tea Diet: I drink several cups of tea after every meal, sometimes green tea, sometimes Tieguanyin. My colleagues find it strange that a woman would have a habit of drinking tea. I tell them it's a custom from my hometown. It's been like this for many years, and even now that I work in another city, I can't change it. There are benefits, though, namely that my weight hasn't increased. —Chen Xiaomei, Chaozhou

Doctor's Explanation: After-meal tea is a specialty of Chaozhou, Guangdong. Older generations of Chaozhou people, no matter how much they eat and drink, don't easily gain weight because they drink plenty of tea after meals. The tannins in tea help reduce calorie absorption. However, it's important to note that the tea concentration shouldn't be too high, as higher concentrations are harder to digest and can be harmful to the body.

Brown Rice Coffee Diet: My boyfriend usually grinds coffee for me. Once, I saw in a magazine that adding a little brown rice to coffee helps with weight loss, so I asked him to try it. After a few tries, it finally worked! The coffee has a subtle brown rice aroma, which is very unique. Last year, I consistently drank brown rice coffee for a year, combined with exercise, and my weight didn't increase. —Luo Jiao, Shanghai

Doctor's Explanation: Even without adding brown rice, coffee itself has a certain diuretic and detoxifying effect. Brown rice is rich in minerals and fiber, which is beneficial for weight loss. However, it's important to note that because brown rice is raw, it cannot be prepared using fast methods like French presses or steam coffee makers; a traditional coffee maker is required. Additionally, this weight loss method is not suitable for women prone to insomnia or stress.

Hot Bath Weight Loss Method: After giving birth, I gained over 10 kilograms, and I tried every possible way to lose weight. Once, a distant relative told me that bathing could help with weight loss, so I diligently bathed twice a day, morning and evening. Surprisingly, it really worked! I lost a significant amount of weight! —Zhang Ling, Xiamen

Doctor's Explanation: During a hot bath, the body sweats more quickly, helping to expel excess water and waste, ultimately reducing swelling and promoting metabolism. However, it's important to note that bathing 1-2 times a day is sufficient; bathing too often can damage the skin's stratum corneum.