Try This Slimming Seasoning

Here's a spice that may be twice as nice as others when it comes to helping you trim down: turmeric.

Yep, this key ingredient of Indian curries is loaded with a special polyphenol called curcumin, and a recent animal study suggests curcumin may hinder fat growth.

The Get-Skinny Spice
When mice were fed a high-fat diet with curcumin in a recent study, they experienced less weight and fat gain than mice not fed the spice -- even though all the mice ate the same amount. The spice seemed to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels and fat-burning capacity, too. EatingWell has a simple way to make your own turmeric-infused Indian spice rub for grilling fish and chicken.

Drop a Pants Size
Researchers think that curcumin affects the genes involved in fat-burning and the growth of blood vessels that nourish fat cells. But more study is needed to see if there is a similar effect in humans. In the meantime, rely on the tried-and-true fat burners, like this weight loss plan from the YOU Docs.

And here are some other novel ways to cut the fat:

• Get smart about fatty foods. The YOU Docs reveal three common myths.
• Think about it. Find out how paying attention to each bite helps you eat less.
• Be clever about munchies. Eat these foods that fill you up without filling you out.

Another way to fight fat: Drink this.

Curcumin inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and angiogenesis and obesity in C57/BL mice. Ejaz, A. et al., Journal of Nutrition 2009 May;139(5):919-925.