It has been debated whether spicy food contribute directly to weight loss. However it does make you sweat, which provided you drink lots of water or green tea at the same time you are going to clean those toxins out! Also you cannot eat lots of spicy food because it will burn, so it prevents over-eating. Spicy food has been proven to speed up your metabolic weight and in time this will aid weight loss. When I was in thailand I ate this starter and it curbed my appetite before every meal (also proven to prevent flue and colds):

Tom Yum Thai Soup

Ingredients:

• 4-6 cups good-tasting chicken stock (SERVES 2-3 people)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, minced, OR 4 Tbsp. frozen prepared lemongrass (available at Asian stores)
• 3 kaffir lime leaves (available fresh or frozen at Asian stores)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 red chilies, finely sliced, OR substitute 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. dried crushed chili
• 3 Tbsp. fish sauce (available at all Asian/Chinese food stores and some supermarket chains)
• a generous handful of fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
• 12 medium raw shrimp, shells removed
• 1/2 can good-quality coconut milk, OR 1/2 can evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp. freshly-squeezed lime juice
• 1/3 cup fresh coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped
• optional: 1/2 tsp. sugar
• optional: extra vegetables of your choice (shown here: cherry tomatoes & broccoli)

Preparation:

1. Boil the stock
2. Add lemongrass and boil for 2 more minutes
3. Add all other herbs to a medium heat and simmer 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp and simmer until shrimp is plump
5. Reduce heat and add coconut milk, fresh fish sauce and lime juice. Stir well simmer until hot.
6. Serve in bowls with coriander topping