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International diet secrets we’d rather not try…

Australia: Aboriginals have been surviving on bush tucker for centuries. Witchetty grubs and honey ants are low in fat and a fantastic source of protein.

Kenya: The Maasai drink the blood of their goats and cows, which is thought to be rich in protein and good for the immune system.
Alaska: If desserts are your downfall, try ordering the Alaskan favourite – whitefish ice cream. It's lower in calories than traditional ice cream and may put you right off your puddings forever.
Hollywood: Starlets such as Cindy Crawford (below) and Heidi Klum are reported to drink vinegar before they go out for dinner to ward off hunger pangs.

We’ll have what Cindy’s having –or maybe not!

The world’s
hottest diet tips

NO ONE WORKS HARDER THAN US TO BRING YOU THE GREATEST STAY-SLIM SECRETS. THIS WEEK WE’VE TREKKED TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE TO TRACK DOWN THE VERY BEST… BY NATASHA HOLT

Japan

Swap your starter

Take a tip from the Japanese and start your meal with a water-based or miso soup, rather than calorie-laden spring rolls or bruschetta.

"Miso soup has only 30 calories per bowl, whereas three spring rolls can add up to 300 calories," says dietician Ursula Arens.

"A clear broth starter is low in fat and filling, which means you'll eat less of your main meal. Take a water-based soup to work for lunch – but check packaging for hidden calories and high salt content."

Best for: Calorie counters

Argentina

Keep it lean

Those South American chicas eat red meat by the lorry load yet strut their stuff in skimpy bikinis, looking like they live on lettuce. What's their secret? Well, when Argentinians eat meat, they make sure it's super lean.

"In Britain we tend to go for minced

or processed meats like sausages, rather

than steaks or chops," says Ursula. "Choosing lean, non-fatty cuts

would be far healthier."

South Americans also eat rice, grains and green leafy vegetables with their meat instead of the British staple of chips.

Best for: Committed carnivores

Switzerland

Control your portions

The Swiss diet is rich in butter, cheese, bread and potatoes but, surprisingly, obesity levels are low. Moderation is the key. Swiss women enjoy bite-sized pastries or rich chocolate truffles without feeling guilty because they live by the adage: ‘A bit of what you fancy does you good.'

"Portion control is central to a healthy diet," says Ursula. "Allow yourself treats, but don't overindulge. Knowing you can have

a modest amount of whatever you like each day should stop that binge mentality."

Best for: Gourmet girls

Thailand

Spice it up

The Thais use lots of herbs and spices, so their dishes are more likely to satisfy you than something blander.

"Far Eastern cuisine uses delicious flavours that are very low in calories," says Ursula. "These are much less fattening than cheese or cream-based sauces. Apply this trick to other foods too – by swapping a carbonara pasta sauce for a drop of oil with garlic and chilli you'll save 200 calories."

Best for: Takeaway fans

South Africa

Get fruity

We're not the only country with a sweet tooth, but the difference between us and our South African

counterparts is that they get their sugar

fix from seasonal fruits like papaya

and pineapple.

Ursula says: "If you swapped chocolate cake for a generous portion of fruit for dessert, you'd save 400 calories. Plus, fruit contains natural sugar and helps fill you up."

Best for: Sugar addicts

NATIONAL EATING HABITS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1.6% of Japanese adults are obese

5.5% of Thai adults are obese

23% of UK adults are obese

25% of Australian adults are obese

But America is the official heavyweight champion of the world. A whopping 39 per cent of adults there – around 85 million – are obese.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY, PHOTOLIBRARY.COM, PA, SCOPE