7 Healthcast: Seaweed diet

Dieter Harriet Elmer says, "The older you get the harder it gets, losing it is impossible."

Maybe the Kanten Diet is the answer to weight loss. Kanten is also known as agar. Yes, it's the same stuff that's on the bottom of petri dishes. But no, you don't have to eat this. Kanten comes in a variety of forms, even as a powder. It has no calories, and lots and lots of fiber.

It works by expanding in the stomach, tripling in size and absorbing liquid, making you feel full. Which means hopefully, you eat less. And a recent study in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism showed a true weight loss benefit.

Registered nurse Marybeth Augustine says, "People ate many fewer calories. They ate 325 fewer calories at their evening meal and over time that will contribute to a significant weight loss. But it will also decrease the absorption of available calories."

It's used in a variety of Japanese foods and especially Southeast Asian desserts. Chef Patricia Yeo says, "In its original state it has no flavor at all. We flavored it with fruit and lemon juice. So basically you can make this taste however you want it to taste, like chocolate."

Augustine says, "Kanten has been used for thousands of years as a part of the Asian diet and I think it would be a great addition to the typical American diet."

But before trying any weight loss method it's always a good idea to talk with your doctor first.

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