Lost the pounds and alms from Middle East (6)
I believe the answer is:
dieted
'lost' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how one could define the other.
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dieted that I've seen before include "Ate sparingly to lose weight" , "Undertook restricted food regime" , "Tried to lose weight" , "Went on strict food regime" , "Regulated one's food consumption" .)