High Cholesterol Foods Are Off The Dietary Hit List

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/high-cholesterol-foods-are-dietary-hit-list

Pros And Cons Of The Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet is one of the most popular low carbohydrate diets on the market today. Its popularity has sparked dozens of look-a-like diets who centre on the same principles of high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating. There are a lot of fish in the sea when it comes to choosing a low-carbohydrate plan.

Studies have shown that low-carbohydrate eating has many benefits. There have been scientific results that low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins do create significant weight loss without having to restrict calories. People who use the Atkins diet have also reported this. There are studies that show that low-carb eating improves triglycerides, reduces blood glucose for diabetics and pre-diabetics and increases good cholesterol (HDL). Low-carbohydrate dieting has been scientifically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, decrease blood pressure and lower blood insulin levels. When compared with low-fat diets, low-carb dieters lose less muscle mass.

Although not scientifically proven, there are many common benefits reported by Atkins dieters and other low-carb dieters. These include an increase in energy, a reduced craving for sweets, better concentration, improved mood and an lessening of depression type symptoms.

However, there are also some benefits that are specific to the Atkins diet. If you have been a low fat dieter in previous years, you’ll enjoy eating all of those “forbidden foods” that you once had to go without. Steak, butter and cream are a regular part of Atkins dieters’ meals. There is a certain pleasure that goes along with eating foods that were once off limits. Atkins dieters are encouraged to eat their full of rich meats, cheeses and fats and oils.

Atkins is also simple to use, compared with some other low-carb diets on the market. There are some basic food carbohydrate counts that you’ll need to learn, but after that, you are free to eat from the acceptable food lists.

Dr. Atkins also emphasized finding your own personal carbohydrate level. Different people have different levels of carbohydrate tolerance. While some gain weight on just 90 carbohydrate grams a day, others can live comfortably at 120 carbohydrate grams. During the ongoing weight loss phase and pre-maintenance phase of the diet, you will learn your personal carbohydrate count that will help determine your carbohydrate goal for life.

The popularity of Atkins is a double-edged sword for dieters. There is a lot of information available on the diet, which makes it easy to find resources and support. There have been many, many Atkins books written and there are endless amounts of websites that offer tips and group support. However, everyone has heard of Atkins and probably has an opinion on it. There are some big misconceptions out there about the nature of the diet, and you’ll no doubt have to defend your new way of eating from time to time.

There are some other minimal downsides to using the Atkins program. You do need to count carbohydrates in everything you eat to make sure that you are staying within your personal carbohydrate range. There is also the issue of Induction, the most hotly debate aspect of the plan. Induction can be difficult to get through if you’ve had a diet that centres on carbs and sugar. Also, many people try Induction and mistakenly believe that this is the way that the whole diet is going to be. They end up quitting before they get into the actual Atkins plan.

Sometimes, although it is not common, people will experience a carb crash on the 3rd to 5th day of the diet. This reaction is a result of their body finally experiencing ketosis, or running on fat instead of carbohydrates. The effects are transient, but many people have sworn off low-carb diets entirely because of this happenstance.

Overall, with the minor drawbacks considered, Atkins is one of the most popular low-carb diets for a reason. It works. Thousands of people have had success with the Atkins approach to the low-carb way of living.

8 Great Benefits of Onions

 

Never mind the tears they bring on—onions are an ace ally in your fight against disease. A prized member of the lily family, they lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food.

A quick glimpse at their incredible health benefits:

·       The phytochemicals in onions improve the working of Vitamin C in the body, thus gifting you with improved immunity.

·       Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar.

·       For centuries, onions have been used to reduce inflammation and heal infections.

·       Do you enjoy sliced onions with your food? If yes, rejoice! Raw onion encourages the production of good cholesterol (HDL), thus keeping your heart healthy.

·       A powerful compound called quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing cancer.

·       Got bitten by a honeybee? Apply onion juice on the area for immediate relief from the pain and burning sensation.

·       Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers.

·       Those bright green tops of green onions are rich in Vitamin A, so do use them often.

 

 

 http://www.healthdigezt.com/8-great-benefits-of-onions/

11 Reasons Dehydration Is Making You Sick And Fat

Digestive, skin, bladder and kidney problems, fatigue and headache are just some of the adverse effects from not drinking enough water. We need it as much as air we breathe in! It’s not a joke.

 

Did you know that when you start feeling thirsty your body is already dehydrated?  The best practice is to sip water throughout a day. Have it always handy!

 

If you’re not a morning person, have two glasses of water right after you wake up. It will boost up your blood pressure to normal levels, and it’s way healthier than having your first coffee on an empty stomach.

 

Also, don’t think that sweetened juices, soda or tea will hydrate you as well as water does. It’s actually the opposite! Sugar, as well as salt, makes your body waste precious water just to clean it out from your system. And if you love your coffee, make sure to drink one extra glass of water for every cup you have.

And as an added bonus, drinking water speeds up your metabolism and makes you feel more ‘full’. You will eat less once you start drinking more! It’s the safest and healthiest way to lose some weight.

http://fitlife.tv/11-reasons-dehydration-is-making-you-sick-and-fat/

Avocado Seeds- Superfoods For Your Health

You may find this fact a bit interesting, but it is so true and fascinating. Avocado seeds are packed full of nutrients that can provide several health benefits to the body. In fact, the seeds contain more antioxidants than the avocado fruity fleshes and most fruits, vegetables and healing teas do. The seeds, even have the ability to provide the body with more soluble fiber than any other food available to you at a whole food market, but the benefits do not stop there.

Top benefits of eating avocado seeds

• Avocado seeds contain nourishing oil that is rich in antioxidants. In fact, 70% of the antioxidants are found in the seed alone and the other 30% are actually in the flesh and skin. These potent antioxidants have the ability to lower high cholesterol levels and prevent several kinds of heart conditions such as heart disease and strokes.

• The super fruit’s seeds are also a great alternative for reducing inflammatory disease within the body, but works particularly well with easing swelling in the gastrointestinal tract.

• You can even use it to help ease diarrhea away and to prevent and relieve constipation naturally.

• Some find it soothing to gastric ulcer because the seed contains antioxidants in it known as phenolic compounds. These compounds contain antibacterial and anti-viral properties, which makes the seeds effective at preventing ulcers within the lining of the digestive system.

If you need another reason to add avocado seeds to your diet, this one may surprise you too.

• The seeds contain flavonol, which is an antioxidant that helps prevent and reduce tumor growths. If you suspect, you have a tumor growth, it is best to seek a doctor for proper medical treatment, but it is also important to add more flavonol rich food to your diet such as the seeds of the avocados.

• When you need to strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from the cold and flu season avocado seeds can help.

• The seeds have the ability to fight away free radical cells too, that causes illness and aging. In fact, if you want to slow down the aging process and reduce the appearance of age spots and wrinkles avocados have the ability to rebuild collagen underneath the skin so it stays firm and youthful.

The health benefits of these seeds do not stop there.

• These seeds of youthfulness can help you feel younger too, since they can help reduce bone diseases, joint discomforts and body aches and pains naturally, which helps keep you energetic and living life.

• The healing seeds are also useful for lowering blood glucose levels and for helping a person maintain a healthy weight. Some find them useful for encouraging weight loss and for reducing exercise-induced asthma. The seeds even help curve food cravings and make you feel fuller so you are not munching on snack constantly.

How you can get the avocado seeds
All you have to do to get these seeds into your diet is slice open an avocado carefully, remove the seed, place it into a plastic bag and crush it with a meat mallet or hammer. After, place the crushed seed into a blender and grind it into a fine powder. Then, sprinkle the seed mixture onto meals and eat up to receive the health benefits from this amazing super food.


http://blogs.naturalnews.com/avocado-seeds-superfoods-health/

10 Foods That Burn Fat

Here are 10 Foods That Burn Fat

1. Oats : Its not only tastes great but also reduces your hunger. Oats contains fiber which helps and stabilizes the levels of cholesterol.

2. Eggs : Eggs are the rich sources of proteins and low in calories. Eggs helps us to build the muscles and develops the good cholesterol.

3. Apples : Apples are enriched with powerful antioxidants and other supplements. Most importantly it contains Pectin which helps to reduce the fat cells in the body.

4. Green Chillies : Green chillies contains Capsaicin which helps to develop the body growth cells and burns the calories in quick time.

5. Garlic : Garlic contains Allicin which has anti-bacterial properties helps us to reduce the fat and removes the bad cholesterol.

6. Honey : Honey is the best one to burn fat. Add honey in warm water and take it daily in the early morning.

7. Green Tea : Green Tea is the most effective one which helps you to lose weight. It contains Antioxidants which helps and stabilizes our body weight. Take daily 2 cups of tea for a better results.

8. Wheat Grass : It boosts our metabolism and helps to reduce the fat.

9. Tomatoes : Tomatoes helps us to burn the fat in quick time. It also helps us to stay away from cancer. So Take tomatoes in your diet regularly.

10. Dark Chocolate : Dark chocolate contains Flavonoids, anti-inflammatory properties which helps to reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood. It boost the growth of serotonin in the blood and also burns the fat.

http://www.healthdigezt.com/10-foods-that-burn-fat/

Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Unless you camp out in the aisles of an organic supermarket or are married to a nutritionist, chances are you've never heard of chia seeds - or, if you have, you haven't got a clue why everyone is so excited about them.

But while chia may have only struck the nutritional zeitgeist in recent months, the 'superseed' has been around for thousands of years.

And, given its rich nutritional value, we're surprised it hasn't been on the western world's health radar before.

Not only is it a great source of omega-3 fats, fibre and vegan-friendly protein, but it's easy to incorporate into your diet - chia seeds don't taste of anything and so they won't impair flavour.

According to Joyous Health, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence proclaiming chia's positive health effects, including boosting energy, aiding digestion, stabilising blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol.

We caught up with nutritionist Jenna Zoe - founder of foodstolove.co.uk, author of Super Healthy Snacks & Treats and ambassador for The Chia Co - to find out exactly why we should be incorporating chia into our diet.

For those hard-to-find omega3s...

Omega -3 fatty acids are essential fats. Our bodies are unable to produce them and so we must get them through our food.

Chia seeds are loaded with Omega-3 ALA which is known to be essential for a healthy heart by lowering cholesterol while maintaining proper artery function.

Omega-3 is also crucial for proper brain and nerve function, and cellular hydration which helps nourish skin from the inside. Adding one tablespoon of chia seeds to what you normally have for breakfast provides you with 100% of your plant-based Omega-3.

For protein...

Chia seeds are composed of 20% vegan protein, which keeps your energy levels consistent and promotes the formation of lean muscle.

Eating a protein-rich breakfast sets our metabolism up for the day, and it’s true. But grilled chicken and nuts in the morning isn't always that appealing!

Adding chia seeds for breakfast is a great way to get the protein (and healthy fats) in your body.

For energy...

The ancient Tarahumara tribe in central America were famous for covering long distances daily, and they would commonly fuel those runs solely with chia seeds.

The rich fibre content in chia slows the conversion of carbohydrate to sugar and provides a slow release of energy, stabilising blood sugars to avoid the usual highs and lows. Many athletes eat chia to increase their energy levels, aid joint mobility and contribute to muscle repair.

Whether you are active or not, these tiny little titans of super nutrition are a guaranteed way to

For that 'fuller longer' feeling...

Chia seeds are hydrophilic, meaning they can swell up to 16 times their size in water creating a thick gel in your digestive system. Consuming chia seeds, especially when soaked will keep you feeling full and keep those sugar cravings at bay.

For some help chilling out...

In today's high-stress world, our bodies burn through magnesium at a very high rate because it's responsible for relaxing us. Because of this, most of us have chronically low reserves in this wonder mineral (particularly if you work out a lot, sleep too little, or consume caffeine regularly).

Adding chia into your diet will help boost your levels of magnesium which in turn helps your body cope better with tress.

They fit into every kind of lifestyle choice...

Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, raw, vegetarian, vegan, omnivore, or foodie, chia seeds fit into every preference! You don’t have to change what you eat to boost your daily nutrition. Chia seeds have no taste so won’t affect the flavour of what you add them to.

For prevention...

Antioxidants are crucial because they safely carry free radicals out of the body - and free radicals are what kick off diseases and illnesses. Chia seeds are incredible because they boast one of the highest known antioxidant levels of any edible foods, double that of blueberries.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/20/health-benefits-chia-seeds-recipes_n_5514083.html

Can These 7 Foods Lower Your Cholesterol?

Cholesterol can be a tricky thing to wrap your head around. 

It’s hard to keep up with what you’re supposed to be eating and what you’re supposed to be avoiding. But most of the foods laden with cholesterol are also heavy in saturated fats and other things you want to avoid. - See more at:

http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/lower-cholesterol-7-foods/