Today

What is it with supermodels? They claim to be able to lunch on Big Macs and eat chips until they come out of their ears and not put on an ounce.

Cameron Diaz recently nauseated her co-stars on set by constantly grazing all day on junk food, while they starved on lettuce and water, and she still looked like two toothpicks stuck together. And model Helena Christensen freely admits to being addicted to cheese and can munch through a whole wheel of the stuff in a day - and still be a size 10 dress size.

Freaks of nature or unutterably lucky ladies, one thing is certain, these women possess flamethrower-like metabolisms, which burn off calories the instant they digest them.

We all know that exercise is one sure-fire way of speeding up our metabolisms thus using up calories before they are laid down as fat on our bodies. But could there be such a thing as a food that helps burn away unwanted fat, actually helps us use calories and helps us work towards a slimmer us at the same time?

According to nutritionist Patrick Holford, there are such wonder foodstuffs but the key is balance - having the right amount of fat, protein and carbohydrate. He says that keeping your blood sugar balanced is the most important factor in weight control.

The level of glucose in our blood is what controls our appetite. Eating too many sugar rich foods will not only lead to weight gain but fatigue, irritability and constant food cravings.

By balancing your blood sugar levels, your metabolism has a chance to burn up calories and use foods in the body more effectively. So what about these super foods which are said to make our bodies work quicker and burn up fat faster than others? Patrick Holford explains:

"Fruits such as apples are great for keeping blood sugar levels healthy, while bananas and dried fruit have the greatest effect on them. Wholegrains are good, but avoid white bread and white pasta and go for brown instead. The best bread is Scandinavian rye bread, such as pumpernickel, for controlling blood sugar and energy dips."

If you want to try foods that will regulate your blood sugar levels, as well as up your metabolism, suggested additions to your diet include oats (porridge) and oatcakes. All pulses are great (but avoid sugary baked beans), and opt for skimmed milk, seeds and nuts. "These foods are high in complex carbohydrates and contain special factors that help release their sugar content gradually," he says. "They are also high in fibre which helps normalise blood sugar levels."

Naturally you will want to limit the amount of these amazing fat burning foods you'll add to your diet, as you would any foods. But adding some of these nutritious sugar stabilizers to your daily menus could mean those supermodels may soon be looking for alternative employment!

Super fast fat burning foods: Apples, Porridge, Oats and oat cakes, Lentils, Pumpernickel bread, Oranges, Wholemeal spaghetti, Skimmed milk, Chick peas, Soya beans, Kidney beans, Cottage cheese, Lean roast chicken, Almonds, Sunflower seeds, Canned tuna and Tofu.

This article originally appeared on the Weight Watchers website. Please see external link.