Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies reveals how she dropped three dress sizes after ‘mortifying moment’ on set
DRAGONS’ Den star Sara Davies has revealed her secret weight loss trick that helped her drop three dress sizes.
The entrepreneur, 40, said cutting out sugar has helped her ditch her Spanx.
Sara, who has gone from a size 16 to size 12, said she experienced a “trigger moment” while filming the BBC business show last year.
Sara told Closer magazine: “It was my 40th birthday in April and I wanted to be the fittest I’d been since I was 30.
“I’ve spent half my life sucking myself into Spanx, and now it’s bloody lovely to put on a dress and not have two pairs on underneath!”
The Strictly star, who appears on the show with Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman said she has worked hard on sticking to a clean eating diet plan.
Sara went on: “I had to size up in all my clothes, and I was mortified. It was the biggest size I’d ever been wearing, and it really got to me.
“I stopped having chocolate and cakes, but also cut back on carbs and ate more veg than fruit.
“Miserable as it is, I also stopped drinking alcohol to reduce sugar.
“During filming we go for dinner as a pack of Dragons, and Peter Jones has very nice, expensive taste in wine, but I feel so much better for cutting it out.
“I’m not saying I’ll never drink again – I had a hamburger and gin and tonics at my 40th – but I’ve really enjoyed cutting down.”
Sara said she is now incorporating kombucha into her diet, which is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black tea drink.
“Deborah got me into kombucha, it’s life-changing,” she shared.
“She drinks it at lunch time and I thought it was really dodgy-looking, but now I love it.
“It feels like we’re having a glass of wine together over lunch.
“Peter’s there with his pizza, Touker [Suleyman] has his Nando’s or whatever, and I’m there with my little salmon salad.
“I put together my salads on a Sunday night.
“I’m a convert to kombucha. Deborah’s vegan and I’m a big meat lover, but she’s learned how to get protein from other sources.
“She’s a healthy eater and she really cares for the environment, I learn a lot from her.
“But I give her my hair and make-up tips, so we’re even!
How cutting out sugar can help you lose weight
It might sound obvious, but cutting out sugar can help you lose weight - and this is why
- Reduced alorie intake: Sugar is calorie-dense but not nutrient-dense, meaning it provides a lot of calories without making you feel full. By cutting out sugar, you naturally reduce your overall caloric intake, which can create a calorie deficit and lead to weight loss.
- Lower Insulin Levels: Consuming sugar, especially in large amounts, causes spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage. By reducing sugar intake, you can help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, making it easier for your body to burn fat.
- Decreased Cravings: Sugar can be addictive and lead to cravings for more sugary foods. By cutting it out, you may find that your cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods decrease, making it easier to stick to a healthier diet.
- Improved Satiety: Foods high in sugar are often low in fiber and protein, which are essential for feeling full and satisfied. By replacing sugary foods with more nutrient-dense options like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can increase your satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption.
- Better Nutrient Intake: When you cut out sugary foods, you often make room for more nutritious foods. This can improve your overall diet quality, providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally, which can support weight loss efforts.
- Reduced Fat Storage: High sugar intake, particularly from fructose, can lead to increased fat production in the liver, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Cutting out sugar helps to reduce this effect.
- Enhanced Metabolism: Reducing sugar can improve metabolic health, including better insulin sensitivity and lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which can facilitate weight loss.
By cutting out sugar and replacing it with healthier options, you can create a more balanced and sustainable diet that supports weight loss and overall well-being.
I’m more relaxed now, but my diet involves a lot less sugar than it used to.”
Sara said she is embracing her new figure and her diet is now more about feeling healthy than losing weight.
“I haven’t lost any weight for the last four or five months, but I’m more toned, I’m fitter and I’m healthy,” she said.
“I’m thrilled about my body shape and I feel strong.”
