Learn about starchy vegetables that are higher in carbohydrates.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Nutrition, Exercise & Wellness : How to Eat Healthy With Diabetes
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Best Foods For Fibroids
Most of the best foods for fibroids probably come as little surprise to many. There is so much written nowadays about the importance of eating a healthy diet and how what we eat impacts upon all aspects of our well-being. At no time is this more important than if you have a condition such as uterine fibroids.
Eating a diet which is aimed at treating fibroids can help greatly, but it must be seen as part of an overall plan to shrink fibroids if you want to see permanent and fast results.
Fibroids grow in response to a number of primary and secondary factors which subtly interact with our genetic make up to trigger fibroid growth. There is no single cause of this condition and this is why it is almost impossible to determine the exact cause in each individual. What we do know though, is all the likely causes-just not which ones are relevant for whom. What this adds up to is that we know what needs to be eliminated and dealt with and although this is fairly extensive, it is certainly possible.
Once the root causes within the body have gone, fibroids cannot be supported.
The best foods for fibroids include those which help to rebalance the hormones and help with body cleansing. Fruits are very rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes and are wonderful cleansers. Most vegetables are also very healthy foods for fibroids, particularly non-starchy vegetables. Kale and cabbage deserve a special mention and these should be incorporated into your diet regularly. Sprouting vegetables are also extremely healthy and packed with nutrients which replenish the body-try wheat, alfalfa and lentils. Other wonderful foods to combat fibroids include garlic, brown rice, nuts, seeds and beans. Proper hydration is essential and you should drink a minimum of 2 liters of filtered water each day.
It is also important to ensure that you eat only organic produce wherever possible, as this minimizes the ingestion of hormones, pesticides and additives-all known aggravators of fibroids.
Of course, incorporating the best foods for fibroids within a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial, but to give yourself the best possible chance of success, then you must also carry out a number of other protocols, including cleansing and detox regimes, exercise and stress management.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Health & Nutrition : How to Cook for a Diabetic
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
What to Eat on a Low Carb Diet
So you've decided to go on a low carb diet. Maybe you tried going to meetings, or starving yourself, or drinking shakes, or low fat high carb, or you ordered food from one of the popular weight loss plans, and nothing has worked. The low carb way of eating may be your last hope for weight loss success. The good news for you is thousands of people have lost weight with that way of eating. So after deciding to take the low carb approach, you'll need to figure out what to eat on a low carb diet.
The foods that you'll eat on low carb diets vary depending on which plan you choose, but most of them share a great deal of common allowed and disallowed foods. Foods on the do not eat list include starchy vegetables, such as corn and potatoes, soda that contains sugar, most fruits (at least in the beginning for most plans), bread, white rice, and high carbohydrate pasta among other foods. You'll get the definitive list when you decide on a plan. When you're deciding on what to eat on a low carb diet, you'll discover for most plans that if the food has sugar in it, you'll need to avoid it.
Most low carb plans allow you to eat a certain quantity of vegetables. Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cauliflower, and cabbage are allowed on the majority of plans. If you're not a big fan of vegetables, on most low carb diets you can eat butter, which you could add to your veggies to make them a little tastier.
Deciphering what to eat on low carbs becomes pretty easy when you get to the meat category. On most plans you can eat plenty of meat, and the list of allowed meats is almost endless. Most likely you can have chicken, fish, ground beef, steak, pork, and ham. Those are just a few possible meat choices. You'll need to be careful because certain deli meats have sugar added and that could increase your carbohydrate count. Cheese is also allowed on most low carb plans, but not in unlimited quantities.
When you first decide to go on a low carb diet, you may be disappointed and think you have chosen a way of eating that doesn't have much variety in allowed foods. The rules and the allowed foods are different depending on which plan you choose. After some investigation you will find that no matter what plan you are on you will be able to select a wide variety of meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Supporters of low carb diets would tell you that deciding what to eat on a low carb diet can be a very enjoyable process.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Fruits For Diabetes Nutrition Ideas
Monday, September 6, 2010
Diabetes Basics: Create Your Plate
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Daily Nutrition For Kids
As a parent it is important for you to make sure you meet the standards of daily nutrition for kids. Your children need a certain intake of certain types of food. In order to make sure you're raising a healthy and well balanced family, the requirements of daily nutrition for kids must be met!
If your child is very young, feed them fruit and vegetables so that they are used to these foods. You can go with starchy vegetables like potatoes and squash to provide some carbohydrates through this food group. While whole grains are good and recommended, very young children can become very full when eating whole grains and they may not want to eat anything else. This means they will be missing out on protein and dairy groups. While your child is still very young, you can serve them refined grain products.
Just stick to lean meats. In terms of dairy products, you can keep them on full cream milk till about the age of three then switch them to 2% or skim. This assures you that daily nutrition is being met for your kids. Follow your food pyramid and chart to make sure you're on track.
For older children, start by making sure they get a good amount of fruit and vegetables each day. Since these are the two food groups that children seldom look for, provide it for them. Make fruit a part of their breakfasts, and vegetables as part of a snack or packed lunch. Children naturally go for grains and protein groups, so make up for what they will naturally lack. If your children feel they're too old to be drinking milk, substitute this with yogurt, pudding, cheese, or calcium fortified fruit juice.
When eating proteins, try to serve a lot of fish and beans. The omega 3 in fish is a good fat and good cholesterol. Omega 3 is also very good for your skin, and this can be a perk for teens dealing with acne. Poultry is also a healthier choice than beef and pork. When serving beef and pork, go for the leaner cuts to lessen your children's fat intake.
Parents should trust the food pyramid and see that it provides for good, healthy, well balanced meals and snacks in proper servings. While this is a great guide for daily nutrition for kids, parents also have to keep in mind not to force their children to eat. Try making sure your kids get the right servings of the right food groups, but if they simply are not hungry, don't force the issue, especially if they've been eating nutritious food all day. Children have a natural clock that tells them when they've had too much to eat.
Adults have it too, but often tend to ignore it. Don't force your children to eat when they're not hungry, this could lead to an overeating habit in the future. Also make sure that they chew their food well and eat slowly, this also prevents overeating.
Daily nutrition for kids is something that is easily met if you just pay a little more attention to what you serve. Before you know it, you'll be able to serve good and nutritious food for your kids at all times!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Tips for eating well and achieving a healthy diet
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Atkins Diet Misconceptions: Ketogenic diets and Cancer Risk
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Importance of Macronutrition
Macronutrients should take up the largest portion of your diet. This category of nutrients includes carbohydrates, protein and fat. Your body uses macronutrients for energy, growth and repair. Different types of macronutrients do different things for your body, so it is important to get variety in your daily diet, so that you get the right types of each class of macronutrient.
CARBOHYDRATES come in two forms:simple and complex.
Simple carbohydrates are sugars that don't need to be broken down further, so the body can use them for quick boosts of energy.
Honey, maple syrup, soda, cookies, candy, table sugar and cakes are all sources of simple sugars, but since they are also high in calories, they should only be eaten occasionally. Instead, it is important to eat healthy sources of simple sugars, like fruit and fat-free or low-fat milk. These alternatives to sugary sweets offer vitamins, minerals and fiber as well.
Complex carbohydrates are larger, digest more slowly and provide longer-lasting energy. Foods like bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, corn and starchy vegetables (like potatoes and carrots) contain the highest amounts. Sources you should choose most often are vegetables, beans and whole-grain, high-fiber breads and cereals.
The right carbohydrates are either complex carbohydrate or fibre and generally supply additional healthy trace elements and phytonutrients, as well as energy and should have a low-glycaemic index.
The glycemic index is a way of measuring the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down and appear in the blood as simple sugars.
Those foods that result in a rapid rise in blood sugar often have a high glycemic index. Carbohydrates that are broken down slowly and cause only a moderate, controlled increase in blood sugar often have a low glycemic index. Some carbohydrates fall in between.
High-glycaemic foods provides quick energy, but it is usually short-lived and hunger soon returns. This crash stimulates many energy responses in our body chemistry, stressing our organs. Most convenience foods and many meal replacements and diet products on the market to-day are high-glycemic.
Low-glycemic foods provide greater satiety and sustained energy. By virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, low-glycemic foods can help control appetite and delay hunger.
PROTEIN
A healthy diet includes a variety of high-quality protein sources, including complete proteins, which contain all of the essential amino acids. Protein is what makes up bodily tissues, like the muscles, skin and organs. When you eat food containing protein, your digestive system breaks it down into smaller parts called amino acids. These amino acids are later used by the body to build and repair cells and tissues.
The two main sources of protein are: animal products, like meat, milk, fish and eggs and vegetable protucts, like beans, nuts, seeds and soy. To make sure you get all the essential amino acids, it's important to eat a wide variety of these protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, fish, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds and beans.
FATS
Surprisingly, some fat is good for you! Your body needs it for proper brain development, like omega-3 and omega-6, to bring certain vitamins through the brain barrier.
There are two types of fat:saturated and unsaturated.
Beneficial fats are high in essential fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acid.
Unsaturated fat is found in fish, like salmon and tuna, nuts, seeds, avocadoes and most vegetable oils. Most of the fat that you eat should come from these foods.
Saturated fat may increase your risk of heart disease. It is important to limit the amount you consume. No more than 10% of your total daily calories should be derived from saturated fat.
It is found in food that come from animals, like red meat, butter, cheese, milk(except fat-free)and ice cream.
Coconut and palm oils are also high in saturated fat and can be found in many store-bought baked foods.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A LOW-FAT, HIGH-FIBRE DIET.
Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits and vegetables and grain products that contain some type of fibre, particularly soluble fibre, have many health benefits.
Unfortunately, the normal diet in to-day's society includes only one-half or two-thirds of the fibre necessary for optimal health. The positive impact of a high-fibre diet is increased when there is a concurrent reduction in the amount of saturated fat consumed.
Trans-fatty acids or trans fat can also raise the risk of heart disease. Trans fat is formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation, which makes the oils into solid fat, like shortening and hard margarine. This process increases the shelf life of foods, including the potato chips, cookies and fried food that we consume every day. Trans fat behaves like saturated fat: clogging arteries and increasing LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels.
Trans fat may also reduce HDL (good cholesterol levels).
The health risks posed by this dangerous fat have prompted many regulatory agencies to require that food manufacturers lists trans fat amounts on all nutritional labels. So when eating packaged foods, try to pick foods labeled 0g trans fat per serving.
All USANA Macro-Opimizers have been analysed and don't contain trans fats. Macro-optimizers are delicious, healthy sources of low-glycemic complex carbohydrates, complete proteins and beneficial fats in the right ratio. The Macro-optimizer drinks and bars are easy to take with you, providing a convenient way to maintain a healthy body with a busy lifestyle.
Friday, August 27, 2010
John Tesh Trashing On 'The New Atkins For A New You' Book
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Standard American Diet is Sad
Have you heard the acronym term "SAD" which stands for the Standard American Diet? It is sad but true that most Americans are eating poorly. I know what it's like. Not long ago, I used to eat the SAD diet too. I grew up on sugary boxed cereals (alpha bits, apple jacks, sugar pops, frosted flakes, etc.), wonder bread, canned pasta (ravioli, spaghettios), cookies (Mallomars, girl scout thin mints, Pepperidge Farm butter cookies, etc.), and convenience foods (hamburger helper, tuna helper, boxed potatoes, etc.). I thought nothing of eating a candy bar or cheese doodles. I didn't have a weight problem so what difference did it make?
I should give my Mom some credit for what I ate as a child. We all sat to eat dinner together. She made an effort to give us a full meal of meat, vegetables, and a starchy food like potatoes, corn or rice. She kept a bowl of fruit on the counter. She didn't enjoy cooking though. It was more of a chore. I didn't learn to like cooking from her. In fact, I followed in her footsteps, feeling mostly uninspired in the kitchen. I found grocery shopping a boring chore as well.
I didn't enjoy cooking and shopping until I studied nutrition. A whole new world was opened to me. In fact, I never would have dreamed of being a cook or a nutritional health counselor ten years ago. I was working as a graphic artist, making a good living, doing a good job. But, something was missing. I felt like I could do "so much" more but I didn't know what that "so much" was.
The turning point was when I had my first child. It was about that time, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. I became keenly aware of the need to keep well to be there for my child through much of her life and to avoid getting a devastating illness like cancer. I always had an interest in health and wellness though. I grew up as an athlete. I never smoked. I tried to eat well with what knowledge I had about nutrition.
I started investigating programs for studying nutrition and fitness. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition caught my eye and resonated with me. After reading a few of their catalogs, I knew I had found a school and a new career path in the fascinating field of nutrition and health.
I became enlightened. I saw how the SAD diet was hurting me and how it hurt my Mom, eventually taking her down the path of cancer. I began making changes, little by little, step by step, choice by choice. I wasn't getting my information from the food industry nor the pharmaceutical industry. They are big business and they have one priority in mind, making money... at the expense of our health. Now we pay exorbitant fees for health care. When are businesses going to see the link between wellness and reduced health care costs and start educating their workers on how to get and stay well? A little bit of money for wellness goes much farther than a lot of money for reactionary medicine which oftentimes does more harm than good!
Don't fall prey to all that fancy marketing for food and drugs. The truth lies in nature -- mother nature. No one makes food better than mother nature. Forgo the processed, chemicalized, nutrient-poor, junk foods. There is a reason why pretzels and lollipops are cheap -- you get what you pay for. Eat from nature, the way you were intended to eat. Get help if you are stuck.
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Simple Meal Plan For Type 2 Diabetes!
When you learn you have type 2 diabetes you start to realize diet is more than a lifestyle choice ... it is really the key to controlling the course of your condition. When first diagnosed with diabetes many take a deep breathe for different reasons, one of the reasons being the fact they need to work out a way to normalize their blood sugar levels. Another is they need to work out how they are going to adjust to a different eating plan, one that does not include sugar and desserts.
Years ago, as soon as someone was diagnosed with diabetes, they were sent along to see a registered practicing dietitian for help with a new eating plan. This is not the rule any more. Nevertheless your eating plan can "make or break" you when you have type 2 diabetes.
Here is the basis of a simple meal plan that works for most diabetics, and should include:
a protein food
whole grain food
non-starchy vegetables
fruit
small amount of fat
a beverage
This is the equivalent of one meal.
1. Protein food is lean beef, turkey, fish, chicken, eggs, or wild meat. Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese or fat free yogurt can be included.
2. Wholegrain foods include brown rice, rye bread, whole wheat bread, 7-grain bread, oat bran, or quinoa. This category of food could be substituted with a starchy vegetable such as peas, corn or potatoes
3. Non-starchy vegetables could include tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, okra, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, peppers, zucchini and radishes.
4. Fruit means one serving only of a medium sized apple, pear, peach or nectarine. Or one cup of berries, watermelon, cherries, grapefruit, or orange. One serving also means two fresh figs or ten grapes.
5. A small amount of fat means one teaspoon butter or virgin olive oil.
6. A beverage is tea or coffee. The type of tea you use can be herbal teas including:
red raspberry, red zinger, green tea, yerba mate, peppermint, chamomile
spearmint, catnip, or ginseng
and many of the good-tasting tea blends available in the market place
Using a simple healthy eating plan such as this, as a basis, is one way to commence your way back to eating in a way to break the cycle of obesity and insulin resistance, and to help you maintain a healthy weight. You don't have to give up tasty meals in order to reverse type 2 diabetes.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Energy Function - 2/2
Thursday, August 19, 2010
How to Lose 10 Lbs in a Week
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Burn Stomach Fat - Easy Steps to Shrink Belly Fat
Is your goal to burn stomach fat quickly? If it is, this article is for you. Read on to find out the 7 steps to burn fat from your stomach -
Burn Stomach Fat
1. Set a goal that's somewhat flexible because you may not appreciate what a comfortable weight is until you have reached it. That means you can maintain it while eating enough that you don't feel as if you're starving.
Once you reach your target, you can adjust your goal if you decide you're still not happy with the way you look or feel. Or you may find that your target weight is just too difficult to maintain and you would feel more comfortable - in terms of what you can eat and how much you can exercise, if you nudged it slightly.
Ultimately, you will want to settle on a weight that makes sense for your health, your body and your lifestyle!
2. Farewell Fats - regardless of whether you're using healthy olive and sunflower oils instead of butter or lard to taste, baked or fired food, all fats have the same high calorie content and will add weight if used in excess. Cutting out one tablespoon daily of any kind of fat or oil - by dry frying food in a non-stick pan, grilling, baking or simply using a quick blast of spray oil - can see you go down a full clothing size in a year.
3. Get some carbo into your system - that is complex carbs. Complex carbohydrate are a saintly group - they consist of wholegrain breads, cereals, legumes, rice, pasta, starchy vegetables and fruits. If you combine complex carbs with protein, it actually causes a series of fat burning reactions to occur. Complex carbs like protein require more energy to be digested. When both are present they work together to spur your metabolism on to feed the muscle and burn the fat. Eating sensibly and including all good groups will bring success. The right fuel for your body will turn you into a mean, lean machine! Hence try to cut down on the white rice, white bread and other processed foods and add more whole-grains into your meals!
4. Giving up that little hit of sugar in your tea or coffee may seem a sacrifice, until you realize that 2 teaspoon feels in 3 daily cups represent a massive 8 pounds of weight in 1 year. So replace sugar with sweeteners or give it up altogether and you'll trim down and have more stable blood glucose.
5. Snack - A late afternoon snack will keep you from gorging at dinner.
A good snack can be a cup of yogurt, an ounce of nuts and a large piece of fruit. This is a good mix of carbs, protein and fat. The combination also supplies the nutrients you need to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check.
6. Research shows that it is never too late to start being physically active. Regardless of the intensity level, people of all ages can benefit their health greatly by starting some moderate intensity exercise. Moderate activity like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week is great for the body. However, if you're really serious about burning fat from your stomach, you will need to step it up a notch - by taking an activity that will make you huff and puff (but training within your fitness level).
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Want to Get Rid of Candida? What You Need to Eliminate Candida!
Are you struggling with Candida and just want to get rid of Candida for good? If so then this could be the most important article you can possibly read. Find out now what the 3 critical steps are in order
So let's begin, here now are some changes you should be incorporating into your daily life so that Candida is no longer an issue for you!
Cleansing: How candida becomes a problem is by sitting around in the body long enough to allow it to create massive amounts of fermentation, to correct this you will need to focus attention upon elimination. In order to increase elimination a colon cleanse, aloe vera and triphala are all excellent methods. The key to being free from illness is having the channels of elimination constantly open so nothing sits around in the body but instead is constantly moved out.
Eating Right! You will need to consume a diet of foods that are low in sugar, high in fiber. The ideal foods for this purpose are non-starchy vegetables. Eating foods which are high in beneficial bacteria on a consistent basis will prevent problems. Proper digestion is key to eliminating Candida and by eating the right foods to get the job done you'll have a much easier time eliminating it for good!
Anti-Fungals: There are numerous anti-fungals which you can use, the key is to use the right ones and know how to use them. A lot of people don't realize that garlic alone cannot eliminate a chronic candida overgrowth, although garlic is highly touted. Large doses of certain acids can help however as will a routine of powerful probiotics with prebiotics. For best results, you need a complete plan which will not only destory the candida but effectively sweep it out of your digestive system and body.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Morning Glory: Top 10 GI Breakfasts
Breakfast is a very important meal -- it can either make or break your day. Why? Because your body can't run on empty.
That's why it's so important to refuel in the morning. Taking that "engine analogy" one step further, your engine won't run with sugar in the gas tank. That's why your breakfast meal should be high-test fuel, the type of fuel that will get you out on the highway, operating smoothly.
The eDiets GI Diet plan incorporates research that supports including high-fiber, unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains and whole grain cereals and breads, plus starchy vegetables, crunchy and cruciferous vegetables, whole fruit and lean protein. It excludes foods that contain trans fat and limits those with saturated fat.
There are many studies that show unprocessed, whole foods are digested and absorbed more slowly than refined, processed foods. Research supports lowering the risk for heart disease and diabetes by following a diet like the Glycemic Impact plan.
A study published in the November 2003 Journal of Pediatrics showed that children who ate low GI, high-fiber breakfasts were less hungry and ate less for lunch than those kids eating a breakfast of refined sugary cereals.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that people who eat refined grains stripped of fiber are more likely to gain weight and be overweight compared to people eating high-fiber whole grains.
These are just examples of many more studies that prove that avoiding refined, processed carbohydrates is one of the best things you can do for your health and your weight.
The following breakfasts are just a small sampling of what men and women following eDiets GI Diet get to choose from every day.
Start Your Day the Low GI Way
1. Steel cut oats and raisins with nonfat milk Whole grain breakfast cereals like whole oats contain protein and fiber, and stay with you throughout the morning. Although raisins have a high glycemic index, their glycemic load is low, because in the proper portion size (2 tablespoons) it fits into your healthy diet.
2. Crunchy yogurt parfait You'll love this layered parfait of protein powder-fortified nonfat yogurt, wheat germ, chopped walnuts and blueberries.
3. Cottage cheese berry delight Low fat cottage cheese is a good source of protein and goes well with any berry that's seasonal.
4. Southwestern omelet, whole wheat toast and grapefruit Use egg substitute or two egg whites and one yolk; saute in a nonstick pan with diced onions, and green and red peppers. Add a quarter-teaspoon of chili powder, then add eggs and cook until set. Serve topped with a tablespoon of salsa. Round out this meal with whole wheat toast and half a grapefruit.
5. Cheese and tomato sandwich with avocado Enjoy with whole grain bread and low-fat cheese of choice (I like low fat provolone). A quarter-cup of mashed avocado provides healthy monounsaturated fat that's quite satisfying and tasty.
6. Eggless egg sandwich Enjoy this sandwich for breakfast or lunch. It's made with firm tofu, egg-free mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and garlic to taste. Serve on whole grain English muffin with cantaloupe.
7. Mexican cottage cheese Toast a sourdough or whole wheat English muffin and top with 1% or fat-free cottage cheese and salsa. Serve with a cup of cantaloupe.
8. Berry Nutty Yogurt Parfait Another easy-to-love parfait that incorporates seasonal berries with a sprinkle of nuts and wheat germ. This combo works well together to achieve stable blood glucose and sustains you throughout the morning.
9. Vegetarian pita pocket Quickly sauté onions, mushrooms, green pepper and diced firm tofu in a nonstick pan. Add a couple of teaspoons of tomato sauce, season with onion and garlic powder, and serve in a whole-wheat mini pita pocket.
10. Cold (low GI) cereal with milk or dairy substitute and fruit Choose a cereal with at least 10 grams of fiber per serving -- one that's low in sugar. Good choices include Kashi GoLean, Fiber One, or All Bran. Add 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds, your choice of 1% or nonfat milk or unsweetened soy or rice milk, and one cup of high-fiber berries.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
LLVLC On YouTube: Fresh Express Low-Carb Greens (Episode 50)
Monday, August 9, 2010
For Postpartum Weight Loss - Triple Your Fruits and Veggies
Soon you will have to say it to your kids: eat your veggies! But if you are truly serious about postpartum weight loss, you need to actually eat them yourself!
One good rule of thumb for optimum postpartum weight dropping is to be sure you eat 2-4 servings of raw fruit or veggies with every meal and for every snack. Period. If you don't see something on your plate that is still in the form nature made it, (raw or only lightly cooked) then you are not getting the best weight loss meal possible.
Be careful with eating too many starchy root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. These veggies, while still a better choice than potato chips, can hinder weight loss with their high starch content. Also, keep in mind that corn is a high-starch grain, NOT a vegetable, and should be treated as such when dieting. For serious postpartum weight loss, avoid eating too much of these types of starchy food.
Be sure you look for brightly colored fruits and veggies; greens and yellows, reds and purples. Eat a rainbow of things that grew from the ground to ensure you will see the most results and get the most nutrients while you are working toward your post natal goals.
Not only are raw veggies and fruits low calorie, they are full of healing enzymes. The body is a remarkable and complex machine. So much more is going on than most people really understand. Quite often, excess weight is the result of something far more diabolical than just too much food and not enough exercise.
When working toward postpartum weight loss, keep in mind that there are other factors such as hormonal imbalance, edema (swelling and retaining of fluids) and histamine reactions (basically allergies) at work in your system. The wrong kinds of food are major contributors to these problems.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Atkins Diet Controversy - How many Veggies on Induction?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Anti Aging Secrets - Part 1
As you age, you might constantly seek ways to stay younger looking. You can't turn back the hands of time literally, but you can seek ways to keep the clock moving slower in terms of how it looks on you.
There are many methods to slowing down time on your skin. Let's look at five: Diet, exercise, sleep, meditation, and a no smoking rule. And guess what? When you combine these changes with a good anti aging cream, your results are even better.
Diet
It's true what they say - you are what you eat. When you eat a diet that's full of preservatives and unhealthy additives, you are feeding your body and skin that artificial stuff that can only serve to take a toll on your body and your skin.
On the contrary, when you eat a diet that's full of good things, your skin drinks it up, and says more supple and taut. What is a good diet? Most experts recommend a good mix of the following:
Fish (for the Omega fatty acids)
Plenty of vegetables (choose more of the non-starchy variety)
Lots of fresh fruit
Water
Whole grains in moderation
It really comes down to this-the best diet is that which is simple and whole. Whole foods are those that are closest to how they are found in nature. Those are the foods that feed your body (and skin) the best.
Exercise
We all think of exercise as beneficial for controlling our weight, but the reality is that it's excellent for the skin as well. When you exercise, you release endorphins that benefit the skin. Your skin benefits from exercise by staying taught and firm. Though you can exercise too much (which can result in a pained and aged look) most people who enjoy moderate exercise of 30 minutes to an hour a day will see improvement in their skin.
Exercise also reduces stress, which can help you age more gracefully as well.
Sleep
You've likely heard this before and for good reason - sleep is essential. Call is "beauty sleep", call it what you like. The reality is that sleep is good for your health in many ways. Researchers have discovered that a lack of sleep can contribute to a higher rate of stroke and heart disease.
But aside from the major health benefits, getting enough sleep (at least 7 hours a night) is good for your skin. It's during sleep that the cells regenerate themselves and the skin refreshes itself. Getting enough sleep, then, truly does contribute to the "beauty" of your skin.
Meditation
In the realm of lifestyle choices, meditation is a good one to adopt. When you meditate, you learn how to slow down your breathing and relax. Relaxation is good for skin and can help you to relax the muscles of your face. That, in turn, helps your skin age more gracefully.
No smoking
When you're young and carefree, you might be able to smoke without much detriment to your skin (though there is detriment to your overall health). But as you age, everything must be watched with caution and smoking is no exception.
Smoking can cause wrinkle and sagging of the skin. Most of all, it makes the skin look gaunt and dull, not bright and taut, like young-looking skin should appear. It also makes your skin thinner, which can result in many problems like bruises, age spots and a tissue paper look that will get worse as you age.
There are many things that are good for your skin as you age and just as many that are bad. Take note of the good things and apply them to your life for the best skin you can have as you have.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Health & Nutrition : Low-Carb Snack Foods
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Diet Plans and Weight Loss Programs
Friday, July 30, 2010
Seven Myths About Low Carb Diets
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Healing Foods For Uterine Fibroids
Our diet plays an integral part in our overall health and if you have fibroids, one of the best things you can do right away is to ensure that you are eating foods which will contribute to an improvement in your situation. Some foods are particularly beneficial and there are certain healing foods for uterine fibroids which can have a dramatic effect when used as an integral part of a natural system to shrink your fibroids.
Although some women may be genetically predisposed to develop fibroids, this is not to say that you cannot influence the genes. Your diet can alter the expression of your genes and tremendously improve your symptoms, whilst helping to eliminate and prevent the recurrence of your fibroids.
A poor diet which is high in refined carbohydrates, processed, toxic foods and which lacks high levels of fresh fruits and vegetables can affect the cellular processes which can cause the hormones to become imbalanced. This can cause toxic overload and ultimately make the cells "insulin resistant".
Healing foods for uterine fibriods include fruits, sprouts, non starchy vegetables, lean, organic meats (in moderation) cold water fish, beans, non-gluten grains, whole grain rice, nuts, seeds, garlic, herbs and leaves and water.
Whilst this appears to be an exhaustive list, it is important that you choose your diet from it. In general, all foods you eat should be of the highest possible quality. You must try to eat organic foods wherever possible and around 70% of the foods you eat should be eaten raw to maximize their healing effects. Within the different groups of foods, diversification is vital to ensure that you achieve the maximum effects. For example, eat a wide range of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, varying the colors and textures.
Eating a healthy diet is always important but if your priority is to choose healing foods for uterine fibroids, it is essential that you consider the other elements of treatment which must be performed in order to see longlasting and dramatic effects. These include detoxification, stress management and the enhancing of the immune system and the best method for achieving overall success is to use a holistic or "whole body" approach.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Is This The New Junk Food? Healthy Diet Revealed, Diet Plan Discussed, Diet Nutrition
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Carbs, What are they Really ?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mark Bittman - Potato Pancakes
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What is the Healthy Diet Plan For Diabetes?
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, what he or she eat becomes very important. In other words, diabetics must monitor what they eat and have a healthy diet plan. Carbohydrates are the most important part of the food we eat as they directly affect our blood glucose level.
For a diabetic, the key is to balance the daily carbs intake. The question is how do you keep your carbs in balance? It is not always easy to answer this question. But fortunately there is a resource called "Diabetes Food Pyramid" by American Diabetes Association that provides guidelines on healthy diet plan for diabetes.
The Diabetes Food Pyramid provides the most comprehensive and easy to understand guidelines for healthy diabetes diets. It divides the foods into six food groups. The largest food groups are at the bottom of the pyramid and they are also the most healthy foods for diabetes. These foods are breads, grains, beans, and starchy vegetables. So, diabetics are encouraged to eat more servings of food groups at the bottom of the pyramid.
At the top of the pyramid, you will see foods like fats, sweets, and alcohol. These are the foods you should avoid if you have diabetes.
As mentioned, people with diabetes need to keep close track of their carbohydrates intake as they directly affect the blood sugar levels almost immediately after eating. Carbohydrate is made out of complex carbon and hydrogen molecules. As insulin works with the carbs and breaks them down for energy, the right amount of dose needs to be adjusted according to the amount of carbs.
Your doctor can help determine the units of insulin per grams of carbs, but it is your job to maintain the balance of your blood glucose levels by watching your daily carb intake and exercising regularly. Maintaining this balance is what carb counting is all about.
Another way to ensure that you don't consume too much carbs is to eat more servings of foods that are located at the bottom of the Diabetes Food Pyramid. By eating more servings of healthy food groups, you are in turn having less carbs intake. Make sense?
Consistency is key. Establish a healthy diet plan for your individual circumstances and stick to it, making gradual adjustments as needed. In the long term, it will help minimize any complication associated with diabetes.
Also, remember to check your blood sugar levels often, write down the numbers and amount of carbs you have eaten that day. Good record keeping will give you and your doctor an accurate picture of how effective your diet plan and medication are. That will help keep your diabetes well under controlled.
Friday, July 16, 2010
A DIET that WORKS: NO DIET! A RAW FOOD LIFESTYLE ~ for OSCAR! ~ BIKE TOURING the WEST COAST! vid#46
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan - What Kind Of Diet Plan Should Be Followed And How Rigid Is It?
Keeping the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats keeps the blood sugar level within the normal range that is necessary in gestational diabetes. One serving of carbohydrate food contains about 12 grams of carbohydrate that is necessary to cure gestational diabetes. Vegetables contain only 5grams of carbohydrates per serving.
I heard that some people with gestational diabetes could control their blood sugar level with diet alone. So, I preferred smaller meals rather than the big three meals for the day, to cure gestational diabetes. I avoided sugar beverages and sugar-laden foods like honey, jams, and jellies. They aggravate symptoms of gestational diabetes.
Pregnancy is the best time to gauge on food that one craves the most. High fiber foods control weight and help in regular bowel movements. Fresh fruits, beans and cereals are such types of foods. I had them when I was hungry between the meals.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan:
This menu helped me to fight against gestational diabetes:
1. ½ plate non-starchy vegetables (salad, broccoli)
2. ¼ plate protein (meat, fish)
3. ¼ plate grains (rice, pasta, bread)
4. 8 oz of milk
5. A fruit
" Breakfast: Add one egg on a muffin with melted cheese, light juice with light yogurt.
" Lunch: A sandwich with meat, cheese with two pieces of bread, many fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples)
" Dinner: One cup of pasta or a small potato, one protein (chicken, salad and many vegetables
" Dessert: Ice-cream serving is about 1 serving of carbohydrate
" Snacks: Mixed nuts, fruits, cheese
Even after such meticulous planning to cure gestational diabetes, the doctor one day came up to me and said that I need to begin taking insulin, to help the body against gestational diabetes. I thought that I had failed somehow against gestational diabetes. However, the doctor assured me that diet and exercise work great, but sometimes it may not be enough to cure gestational diabetes.
I always had a daily chart that kept tracks of the number of calories eaten at the time of gestational diabetes. Most pregnant women need to take in about 300 calories a day to gain enough weight. This is important for the overall health of a woman with gestational diabetes.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Nutrition : How to Select Good (High-Density) Carbohydrates With Dr. Atkins' Diet
Thursday, July 8, 2010
You'll Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving Feast
Here's a Thanksgiving Feast Everyone Can Enjoy
I come from a big food loving family, and for me, Thanksgiving Day is a day of thanks, always spent with friends and family, and, of course, lots of great food!
But for many families (including mine) that have friends or family members with diabetes (such as my father), those on weight loss programs (such as my sister), or those who simply want to eat more healthfully, the traditional Thanksgiving meal is laden with fat, calories and carbohydrates and can be as difficult as it is joyful.
The great news is that with a little bit of extra care, it's easy to create a traditional Thanksgiving menu that everybody can enjoy. This holiday, I offer you a variety of my favorite tips and recipes that you can mix-n-match with your own family traditions to create a relaxed holiday for which everyone will be thankful.
Happy holidays to your family from mine. - Marlene
Appetizers
Be sure to dish up plenty of fresh veggies and low-fat dressings like Classic Spinach Dip.
Add a platter of chilled cooked shrimp, low-fat cheeses, or homemade deviled eggs (made with reduced-fat mayonnaise) to your appetizer table. They are all filling, protein rich, and virtually free of carbohydrates.
Make sure to have plenty of diet beverages or sparkling water dressed with fresh wedges of lemon and lime on hand for you and your guests.
Sides
Add an extra non-starchy vegetable and a big salad to your menu (and be sure to pile them on your plate). If a guest, offer to bring a healthy salad or colorful vegetable dish rather than another starch or dessert.
Traditional cranberry sauce is very high in sugar. Check out the Diet and Nutrition section of Destination Diabetes for a fabulous low-sugar cranberry sauce recipe.
Substitute wholegrain croutons, add extra vegetables and/or swap-out some of the butter for broth to create a stuffing perfect for everyone. (On a personal note: be sure to set a budget for your own must-have starchy side dishes and forgo the rest).
Be adventurous and try a new lighter version of an old favorite. Ditch sweet potatoes topped with brown sugar or marshmallows for Sweet Potatoes with Apple Cider Syrup.
Sweet Endings
Add fresh sliced pears and apples or grapes with reduced-fat cheeses and nuts to your usual dessert menu.
Use sugar substitutes or a combination of sugar and sugar substitutes (like Splenda Sugar for Baking) to reduce the sugar in your favorite pie recipes.
Or try one of these guilt-free sweet endings; Pumpkin Custard Cups, Creamy Instant Pumpkin Mousse, Paper Bag Apple Pie.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Should I Eliminate Fat Or Carbs From My Diet?
At first glance it may look like eliminating fat from your diet would be your best bet since it provides 9 calories per gram as opposed to 4 calories for protein and carbs. However, it's not a good idea.
For best results in a diet, we're not going to totally eliminate any of the 3 macronutrients. But, we are going to exchange one of them- carbohydrates. Your intake of starchy versus fibrous carbs can make you Michelin Man or Mighty Man.
What's the difference?
Fibrous carbs are basically certain kinds of vegetables, such as broccoli, celery, lettuce. They are called fibrous because the structure of the vegetable itself is made of fiber- cellulose. In weight loss terms, it is basically gold. You want to eat a ton of these.
Remember back to the last time you had fibrous vegetable. Maybe it was celery sticks with vegetable dip at a party. Maybe it was a side dish of broccoli last night at dinner. Whichever it was, it had a certain crunchy texture to it, right? Probably took a lot of chewing before you swallowed it? Not specifically flavorful or with a strong delicious smelling aroma?
Yup, that's how you know it's fibrous.
Starchy carbs are the "yummy" ones. You know the ones that you can eat a whole bowl of and not feel full; you always have room for more. Some starchy carbs include pasta, rice, bread, and pancakes.
Get rid of these tasty abdominal obliterators from your kitchen cabinets and your fridge. Out of sight, out of mind. For a sweet snack, go with berries- blueberries, strawberries, blackberries. These will ease your sweet tooth and are packed with fiber and antioxidants.
If make this simple exchange in your diet and it'll work wonders in how you look and feel.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Acid Alkaline Diet Foods * Alkaline Foods *
Friday, July 2, 2010
Weight Loss Help Techniques After Baby Delivery
In desperate need of weight loss help? You came to the right place. When it comes to losing post pregnancy baby weight, the following tips can help you out:
1. Eat less of starchy carbohydrates especially during the first two weeks after giving birth
Also known as complex carbohydrates, starchy carbohydrates can actually contribute to water retention, thus the uncomfortable bloating you might feel in various parts of your body. One way to get rid of that is when you get rid of starchy carbohydrates in your diet such as white rice and white bread. But since you also need carbohydrates in order for you to have energy the rest of the day, get it instead from whole grain cereals, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice. If it has more fibres in it, it is a better choice.
2. Your meals should contain fruits, vegetables and meat as well
Just because you are dieting does not mean you are now immediately converted into a vegetarian. Being vegan is a big step. You can start by cutting back on red meat. If you have been eating red meat 4 times in a week, make that once or twice a week only. Replace it instead with white meat such as chicken and fish, non-meat proteins such as legumes, nuts and seeds.
As for fruits and vegetables, eat more vegetables and eat fruits sparingly. Fruits contain a lot of fructose, which is a natural sugar. Prepare your vegetables in a delicious way or combine it with protein as a side dish so you have a balanced diet everyday.
3. Get lots of sleep
New moms have trouble sleeping because of the baby but if you can have a nap, grab that opportunity. Sleeping can help stabilize hormone production. In addition to that, it dispenses the need to drink lots of caffeine in order to stay alert.
4. Exercise when you are ready
Don't force yourself to start hitting the treadmill when your body cannot do it yet. Allow yourself at least 2 months to recover. Afterwards, start with muscle toning, not muscle building, activities. Strengthen your body first with aerobics and cardiovascular physical fitness activities.
5. Divert your mind from losing weight
Losing weight should be performed naturally because if you are too conscious about it, it can take its toll on you. So try to divert your mind from this task and concentrate on the taking care of your baby and doing the things you love to do.
I hope these weight loss help techniques will get you your pre-pregnancy body back.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
What Should You Eat When You Are Menopausal?
If your body has gone through the menopause and you are wondering what to do with all of these changes, please don't despair! You need to know that your are not alone as all women go through this phase once in their lives. The menopause comes with water retention and sometimes the need to eat sweet, all combined with a more sedentary lifestyle. The drop in estrogen is also manifested in a loss of muscle. Consequently, the body burns fewer calories and encouraging the formation of fat around the abdomen. Since the menopause often comes with weight gain, it's probably wise to know what to eat during these hormonal changes!
What to eat and avoid during the menopause?
You should stock on vegetables and probably trade fruit juices against fresh fruits as they contain more fiber and are more filling. They are also effective in preventing certain cancers. Eat starchy foods at dinner and not at lunch. You are probably amazed by this statement since you've been told to avoid carbohydrates in the evening. Nevertheless, the consumption of carbohydrates at night slows the fight against muscle wasting.
You should avoid sugar, alcohol and animal fats and reduce your salt intake as it increases water retention. The latter may be replaced by herbs - basil, parsley, chives and spices.
You must also focus on calcium (dairy products) and vitamin D which can be found in fatty fish. You should eat fatty fish at least three times a week and also proteins, to prevent maximum muscle wasting.
If you are a vegan, you should probably consider eating soy, which is rich in protein, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids etc...
Finally increase your physical activity! Thirty minutes of exercise or an hour walk every day is recommended.
If after taking the above steps and you are still suffering from menopausal symptoms like bloating, and appetite changes to list a few of the symptoms, I can only recommend Menozac. It's a natural product that provide menopause relief such as Anxiety; Urinary Changes; Bloating; Appetite Changes; Hot Flashes; Night Sweats Mood Swings and Vaginal Dryness.
Remember that the menopause is not the end of the road, but the beginning!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Trying to Lose Weight? Make it Easier With Nutritional Timing
Have you been trying to lose weight with disappointing results? The key is to make a small shift using Nutritional Timing. This is simply a way of timing when you eat certain foods during your day so your body can better use them and therefore prevent fat storage. If you would like to learn how easy it can be to use this concept to lose weight then I encourage you to take the next couple of minutes to read on.
Trying To Lose Weight?
Your body is very dynamic and it will naturally go through up and down swings in energy and energy needs. For example, after you wake up in the morning your metabolism and need for energy starts to rise. It is during this time of the day that your body needs energy foods. So by feeding your body foods such as carbohydrates (breads, cereals, starchy vegetables) which breakdown very easily you give your body what it needs and it keeps you going strong.
Then as your day progresses your metabolism and energy needs start to decline. If you feed your body carbohydrates (i.e. energy foods) at this time of the day they will not be used up and instead will be stored as fat (another name for fat is stored energy).
So if you have been trying to lose weight and finding little luck you will benefit from keeping your carbohydrate foods lower in the late afternoons through the evenings. This works with your body's natural energy needs and prevents your body from having to store the carbs you eat as fat helping you lose weight and reach your goal.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
8 Reasons Why the Scale Won't Budge
You exercise, drink water, watch what you eat, use portion control and still are not losing a pound. How could that be? Here are 8 reasons why your body is not behaving the way you want it to.
1. Lift weights at least 3 days per week - building and maintaining muscle month after month is key when it comes to losing weight. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn just sitting here. It is one reason why men lose weight faster than women, they have more muscle mass. Alternate between lifting weights one day and doing cardiovascular work the next day.
2. Fidget - thin people fidget much more than obese people and this simple activity can burn almost 350 calories per day - it will help increase your metabolism as you get older.
3. Fill up on low-calorie foods - like non-starchy vegetables. Include broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, celery. Take advantage of the pre-cut vegetables at the grocery store so you can snack on these instead of processed carbohydrates.
4. Eat meals at home instead of relying on drive-thrus - fast food can sabotage your weight loss efforts very quickly so find meals you can prepare quickly and easily at home.
5. Savor your food - this means put it in a bowl or on a plate and sit down and enjoy it. No bags, cartons, or fistfuls of food for mindless snacking.
6. Cheat once a week - it is important to not feel deprived and if you go way too long without enjoying your favorite food, it can backfire on your diet efforts. No more dieting. Focus on foods that are good for you and you like 90% of the time, and the other 10% of junk food you do indulge in, will not matter.
7. Stop rewarding yourself with food - instead find other activities and ways to treat yourself - take a Yoga class, get a manicure, pedicure or facial, meet a friend for a cup of Green Tea, read a good book, etc.
8. Are you taking too many medications? there are all sorts of drugs to treat diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, etc. Some will make you hungrier and while others will stimulate your body to store body fat. Ask your doctor if you could go on a lower dose or better yet, meet with a Natural Medicine Doctor who can help wean you off your medications. Please do not change your medications without consulting your health care provider.
Exercise must become a regular part of your day. You brush your teeth and bathe every single day and exercise must be thought of in the same way. Losing even a few pounds makes you healthier and less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease , high blood pressure or cancer. You do not have to be super skinny to be healthy. If you lose 5-10% of your total body weight, it may be enough to get off high blood pressure medication. Find ways to incorporate exercise into your life, especially weight-bearing exercises. It is a great way to control your weight and maintain good health.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Atkins Diet Stage 1: Induction
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Dieting Options - The Atkins Diet
When the Atkins diet was introduced, which included a low carbohydrate menu it revolutionalized the dieting world. Atkins Nutritional Approach is the philosophy. By eating high-protein and high fat, loss of weight is assured. The assumption is a limited quantity of simple carbohydrates combined with exercise leads to a healthy life.
Food containing low fat is not the way to control weight and to ensure a healthy lifestyle is the controversial belief of the Atkins diet. Dr. Atkins blames carbohydrates such as potatoes, fruits, pastas and grains for weight gain. According to him, the weight loss could be achieved by reducing carbohydrates. He believes that a diet containing too much carbohydrate makes the body retain fat. For more info visit [http://www.onestopforweightloss.info]
A four-phase diet plan to lose weight is promoted by the Atkins diet programme. Maintaining the weight loss is carried out through the last phase of the plan.
Limiting the carbohydrate grams is encouraged in the Atkins diet. During the first two weeks of the plan, all carbohydrate intake is severely limited and then, carbohydrates are added back to the diet gradually during the later period.
In the induction programme covering the first two weeks, only twenty grams of carbohydrate intake is permitted.
In the ongoing loss of weight phase, which is similar to the first phase, carbohydrate intake is gradually increased along with more food, which includes seeds, some berries and nuts.
Pre-maintenance, which is part of the third phase of the plan wherein the dieter is only ten kilograms away from the target, around five to ten grams of carbohyderate is added to the food as long as weight loss is continued Slowly new foods are added to the menu.
Phase 4 covers maintenance of the target weight for a period of one month. At this juncture, the dieter can add carbohydrate grams to the food without weight gain.
All protein foods such as fish, meat and eggs are permitted in the menu. Olives, cheese, butter and olive oil can be used in limited quantities. Most vegetables including avocado, broccoli, tomato, cucumber and lettuce can sustain the dieter with the required energy. Splenda and other similar artificial sweeteners can also be used.
Baked goods, sugar, sweet peas, corn and other starchy vegetables, potato, pasta and bread, fruits, alcohol and nuts are to be totally avoided in the first phase of the programme. Potato, pasta, fruits, nuts and bread can be added in the later phases of the programme.