Showing posts with label fat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fat. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
Fat Burning Secrets
Check out the awesome secrets revealed in Fat Burning Secrets
Labels:
fat,
fat loss,
weight loss
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Atkins And Ketosis
The basic principle of the Atkins diet is that a state of ketosis will help you burn your fat stores as energy. Many people, even those who are on low carbohydrate diets, don’t quite understand ketosis and why it works.
Most diets are calorie-reduction diets. They help you lose weight, but some of the weight is from fat and some of it is from lean muscle tissue. While you may look smaller on the scale, your metabolism is actually slowing down. The more muscle you lose the slower your metabolism will be. This makes losing weight more difficult and gaining weight back even simpler.
The Atkins diet, on the other hand, is carbohydrate restrictive. It creates a state of ketosis in your body that burns only fat, and not muscle. The primary source of your energy for your body will be fat in the form of ketones. Your liver will convert fat into ketones and it cannot be converted back. It will be excreted naturally.
Ketones are actual a normally and efficient source of fuel for the human body. They are created in the liver from the fatty acids that result from the breakdown of body fat. These only appear when there is an absence of glucose and sugar. In the Atkins diet, you reduce the amount of glucose and sugar that is in the bloodstream. As a result, your body produces ketones for fuel. When your body is creating ketones it is called ketosis.
There is a common misconception that following a ketogenic diet like Atkins is dangerous. The truth is that being in ketosis is a completely naturally state. The human body creates ketones to use as fuel in the absence of glucose.
In the Atkins diet book, Dr. Atkins suggests using ketone-testing strips to determine your state of ketosis during dieting. These small plastic strips are held in the urine stream and contain a special chemically treated absorptive pad. This pad will change colour if ketones are present in the urine. With the presence of ketones, the strip will change varying shades of pink to purple. There is a color scale on the label of the bottle that will help you determine your ketone levels.
Ketone strips are available in any pharmacy and can be found among the diabetic supplies. In some stores, they are kept behind the counter so you may have to ask for them. You won’t need a prescription to buy them though. Once you open a package of ketosis strips they have a shelf life of 6 months. It may be helpful to mark the opening date on the box.
Ketone strips will let you know if you are progressing correctly on the Atkins diet. If you are following the Induction plan to the letter and aren’t seeing purple, don’t worry. Some people never show trace amounts of ketones or they may show just above the minimum line. As long as you are losing weight and inches then you are successfully using ketones. Also, if you’ve just exercised a few hours before using the strips, you may not see purple.
Some dieters may mistakenly believe that a dark purple result on the testing strips means that they are losing weight faster. Actually, the darkest purple colour is a sign of dehydration. It means that your urine is too concentrated and you need to drink water.
Ketones come from fat in the bloodstream, whether it is fat that you eat or fat that you burn. So if you eat a meal heavy in fat and then immediately use a testing strip, then you’ll see a dark purple result. Use the strips as a guide, but don’t get hung up on the colour.
Reaching a state of ketosis is key to success on the Atkins diet and it as simple as eliminating carbohydrates from the diet. Make sure to follow the eating plan correctly and use the ketone testing strips as needed.
Most diets are calorie-reduction diets. They help you lose weight, but some of the weight is from fat and some of it is from lean muscle tissue. While you may look smaller on the scale, your metabolism is actually slowing down. The more muscle you lose the slower your metabolism will be. This makes losing weight more difficult and gaining weight back even simpler.
The Atkins diet, on the other hand, is carbohydrate restrictive. It creates a state of ketosis in your body that burns only fat, and not muscle. The primary source of your energy for your body will be fat in the form of ketones. Your liver will convert fat into ketones and it cannot be converted back. It will be excreted naturally.
Ketones are actual a normally and efficient source of fuel for the human body. They are created in the liver from the fatty acids that result from the breakdown of body fat. These only appear when there is an absence of glucose and sugar. In the Atkins diet, you reduce the amount of glucose and sugar that is in the bloodstream. As a result, your body produces ketones for fuel. When your body is creating ketones it is called ketosis.
There is a common misconception that following a ketogenic diet like Atkins is dangerous. The truth is that being in ketosis is a completely naturally state. The human body creates ketones to use as fuel in the absence of glucose.
In the Atkins diet book, Dr. Atkins suggests using ketone-testing strips to determine your state of ketosis during dieting. These small plastic strips are held in the urine stream and contain a special chemically treated absorptive pad. This pad will change colour if ketones are present in the urine. With the presence of ketones, the strip will change varying shades of pink to purple. There is a color scale on the label of the bottle that will help you determine your ketone levels.
Ketone strips are available in any pharmacy and can be found among the diabetic supplies. In some stores, they are kept behind the counter so you may have to ask for them. You won’t need a prescription to buy them though. Once you open a package of ketosis strips they have a shelf life of 6 months. It may be helpful to mark the opening date on the box.
Ketone strips will let you know if you are progressing correctly on the Atkins diet. If you are following the Induction plan to the letter and aren’t seeing purple, don’t worry. Some people never show trace amounts of ketones or they may show just above the minimum line. As long as you are losing weight and inches then you are successfully using ketones. Also, if you’ve just exercised a few hours before using the strips, you may not see purple.
Some dieters may mistakenly believe that a dark purple result on the testing strips means that they are losing weight faster. Actually, the darkest purple colour is a sign of dehydration. It means that your urine is too concentrated and you need to drink water.
Ketones come from fat in the bloodstream, whether it is fat that you eat or fat that you burn. So if you eat a meal heavy in fat and then immediately use a testing strip, then you’ll see a dark purple result. Use the strips as a guide, but don’t get hung up on the colour.
Reaching a state of ketosis is key to success on the Atkins diet and it as simple as eliminating carbohydrates from the diet. Make sure to follow the eating plan correctly and use the ketone testing strips as needed.
Labels:
Atkins,
diet,
fat,
ketosis,
weight loss
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Perfect Drink-Your Best Solution for Quick Weight Loss
Although you have extra pounds you are still impatient to find out what you can do to reduce weight fast and you still can’t wait to see how your body will look when you achieve your weight loss goals.
What is the secret to healthy and quick weight loss is the proper diet which focuses on fresh ingredients that have natural potential to boost metabolism and promote losing weight in a completely natural way.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C which is great for dropping extra pounds and burning excess belly fat. It is also great for liver cleanse which in turn eliminates toxins from the body and increases fat metabolism.
Mint improves digestion and soothes all digestive related problems such as upset stomach and bloating
Parsley is extremely low in calories and high in powerful nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B-9, K and iron which all contribute to reducing weight in a healthy manner. Parsley assists the body in getting rid of excess water and burning the body fat responsible for excess weight. At the same time it improves cardiovascular health and improves blood circulation.
Ginger improves metabolism and helps you burn more calories than usual. It stimulates circulation and excretes the accumulated toxins from the body which is crucial for obtaining the ideal weight.
Water is necessary for hydration and it is the most effective way for shedding the unwanted pounds. When it is combined with the foods listed above it leads to fantastic slimming results.
This drink combination is great for improving digestion and if taken regularly speeds up the weight loss process and helps you get rid of the extra pounds. It will also boost your energy and help you feel fresh and much better throughout the day. Consume the drink any time of the day.
Ingredients:
- 4 lemons
- 10 mint leaves
- a bunch of parsley
- a thumb of ginger
- 2,5 -3 liters water
Squeeze 2 lemons and add the juice in the water. Slice the remaining 2 lemons and add them in the water too. Chop the mint leaves and the parsley, grate the ginger and add them all into the water. Stir well and leave this over night. Consume the next day instead of drinking water.
Perfect Drink-Your Best Solution for Quick Weight Loss
Saturday, 27 December 2014
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.
Labels:
Atkins,
Atkins diet,
blood pressure,
blood sugar,
calories,
carbohydrates,
cholesterol,
diabetes,
diet,
fat,
fat loss,
fats,
protein,
weight loss
Monday, 15 December 2014
5 Foods To NEVER Eat
Labels:
body fat,
diet,
excess weight,
fat,
fat loss,
healthy food,
weight loss
Friday, 12 December 2014
The Low Down On Diet Comparison
Low carbs and high protein is the way to lose weight, or so you’ll hear from one diet guru, and he has the testimonials to back it up. Low fat, lots of carbs and fresh fruits and veggies, says another – and he’s got the back up from satisfied users, too. A third swears that you need to count the amount of sugar; another tells you the enemy is white flour – if you want to lose real weight and keep it off, who do you listen to?
Take a look at the brief summaries below for a quick overview of the pros and cons of each of the popular types of diet plans.
Low Carb-Hi Protein Diets
Diets like the Atkins, the South Beach and the Zone Diet all recommend restricted carbohydrates and allow liberal amounts of protein, including protein derived from animal sources. Generally, they limit the overall amount of carbohydrates, or teach you to differentiate between “good” and “bad” carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, which are forbidden, include white flour, white bread, and white sugar.
Pros: The diets all encourage learning healthy eating as part of losing weight. Deriving most of your daily calories from high fiber sources of carbs like leafy green vegetables and grains is generally considered the best diet for nutrition by the established medical community. The popularity of the diets makes it easy to find low-carb foods.
Cons: The allowance of eating all the protein and fats you like flies in the face of conventional medical wisdom. A diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. Following the diets’ cautions and advice to keep portions reasonable should mitigate that concern, though.
Weight Loss “Programs”
Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, SlimFast and a number of other weight loss programs rely heavily on pre-packaged ‘diet’ foods. They incorporate professional coaching, social structure and reinforcement.
Pros: The professional coaching and nutritional benefits are a big plus, as are the reinforcement and support aspect of the diets. Meals and supplements are prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the diets and exercise as directed you will lose weight.
Cons: The weekly fees and cost of meals can be expensive. In addition, if you rely completely on the packaged foods, you miss out on the re-education of your eating habits, which is important to maintaining any weight lost.
The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This is not the diet that has circulated for the past thirty or more years and purported to have originated at the Mayo Clinic! The true Mayo Clinic’s nutrition and diet center recommends a healthy eating weight loss plan based on limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and deriving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables, grains and fruit.
Pros: There’s no ‘diet’. Instead, you’re encouraged to take control of your eating. Portion control and sensible balance of nutrients are the cornerstones of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually, and helps you keep it off permanently.
Cons: It may be difficult to stay on the diet. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if you’re eating out or on the run.
There are many diets that promise to take weight off quickly and painlessly, without exercise or changing your eating habits. The three major variations of diets above all will result in 1-2 pounds of loss per week, which most doctors believe is the optimum way to lose weight for long lasting results.
http://plrplr.com/93508/the-low-down-on-diet-comparison/
Take a look at the brief summaries below for a quick overview of the pros and cons of each of the popular types of diet plans.
Low Carb-Hi Protein Diets
Diets like the Atkins, the South Beach and the Zone Diet all recommend restricted carbohydrates and allow liberal amounts of protein, including protein derived from animal sources. Generally, they limit the overall amount of carbohydrates, or teach you to differentiate between “good” and “bad” carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, which are forbidden, include white flour, white bread, and white sugar.
Pros: The diets all encourage learning healthy eating as part of losing weight. Deriving most of your daily calories from high fiber sources of carbs like leafy green vegetables and grains is generally considered the best diet for nutrition by the established medical community. The popularity of the diets makes it easy to find low-carb foods.
Cons: The allowance of eating all the protein and fats you like flies in the face of conventional medical wisdom. A diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. Following the diets’ cautions and advice to keep portions reasonable should mitigate that concern, though.
Weight Loss “Programs”
Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, SlimFast and a number of other weight loss programs rely heavily on pre-packaged ‘diet’ foods. They incorporate professional coaching, social structure and reinforcement.
Pros: The professional coaching and nutritional benefits are a big plus, as are the reinforcement and support aspect of the diets. Meals and supplements are prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the diets and exercise as directed you will lose weight.
Cons: The weekly fees and cost of meals can be expensive. In addition, if you rely completely on the packaged foods, you miss out on the re-education of your eating habits, which is important to maintaining any weight lost.
The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This is not the diet that has circulated for the past thirty or more years and purported to have originated at the Mayo Clinic! The true Mayo Clinic’s nutrition and diet center recommends a healthy eating weight loss plan based on limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and deriving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables, grains and fruit.
Pros: There’s no ‘diet’. Instead, you’re encouraged to take control of your eating. Portion control and sensible balance of nutrients are the cornerstones of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually, and helps you keep it off permanently.
Cons: It may be difficult to stay on the diet. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if you’re eating out or on the run.
There are many diets that promise to take weight off quickly and painlessly, without exercise or changing your eating habits. The three major variations of diets above all will result in 1-2 pounds of loss per week, which most doctors believe is the optimum way to lose weight for long lasting results.
http://plrplr.com/93508/the-low-down-on-diet-comparison/
Labels:
carbohydrates,
clean eating,
diet,
excess weight,
fat,
weight loss
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Low-Carb Diets: Are They The Best Way To Lose Weight?
Low-carb, starch-free, no bread – there’s a lot of hype around low carbohydrate diets following an investigation by ABC TV’s Catalyst program last week – but are they any good for weight loss? LiveLighter campaign manager and dietitian Alison Ginn takes a closer look.
But long term, a low-carb diet is pretty hard to maintain. All of the restriction can lead to binge eating. So while you may lose weight initially, there’s no reliable evidence to say it lasts.
Are they safe?
In a word, no. Carbohydrate foods break down into glucose (a simple sugar) after we eat them. Our body needs glucose to power the brain and many of our organs.There is variation across low carb diets in severity of carb restriction and total amount of food. Starchy foods may be replaced with either protein or fat. Fruit and milk may be permitted, limited or forbidden.
While severe carbohydrate restriction can be dangerous, the main safety issue is missing essential nutrients when skipping an entire food group (or two or three if fruit and dairy are limited).
Apart from energy the other benefits of carbohydrate foods are
- Fibre: you will get some fibre from fruit and veg but wholegrain foods are the highest source.
- Antioxidants: from wholegrain foods and from a variety of colours of fruit and veg.
- Calcium: yoghurts and milk (dairy or fortified alternative) are some of the best sources of calcium in the western diet.
The consensus?
Instead of a low-carb diet include vegetables, fruit, wholegrains lean dairy and protein foods every day to help you lose weight and while ensuring you get all the nutrients you need to keep your body healthy.How to eat a balanced diet
Balanced meals: Try to have some carbohydrates, vegetables and a protein food (such as lean meat, fish, eggs, tofu and low-fat dairy) with each meal. Eating a balanced meal every time you eat will ensure you get all the nutrients you need and help you feel fuller.
Livelighter.com.au has a meal and activity planner and many delicious recipes to help you achieve your goals.
Move more: Regular exercise will help you feel energised and shed those extra kilograms.
Eat less processed food: Though strict carbohydrate restriction is unnecessary, and even dangerous, it is beneficial to watch the amount of processed sugar you’re eating (and drinking) and also limit added fats. Pay attention to limiting sugary drinks, processed snacks and white starchy foods (opt for wholegrain). Eat more vegetables, fruit, wholegrain foods, low fat yoghurt, eggs, nuts and fish. Water is the best drink for your waist and your teeth.
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/weight+loss/diets/low+carb+diets+are+they+the+best+way+to+lose+weightr,34411
Labels:
antioxidants,
calcium,
carbohydrates,
diet,
energy,
exercise,
fat,
fibre,
nutrients,
protein
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Nutrition Smackdown: School Lunch vs. Packed Lunch

Food fight: School lunches are giving brown-bag meals a run for their nutritional money. (DebbiSmirnoff/E+/Getty Images, DNY59/E+/Getty Images)
Remember when school lunches consisted of frozen pizza and French fries? When it was proposed that ketchup be counted as a vegetable? Fortunately, those days are becoming a distant memory, thanks, in large part, to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which sets strict nutritional guidelines for meals in school cafeterias. For the 2012-2013 school year, the NSLP updated its standards, and now requires schools to offer fruits and vegetables every day, shift from refined to whole-grain carbs, serve fat-free or low-fat milk, reduce sodium content, eliminate trans fat, and limit calories to meet specific energy requirements by age group.
“[These changes] are required if schools want to get reimbursement for meals — and they all want to get reimbursement for meals,” said Alisha Farris, a registered dietitian in the Virginia Tech department of human nutrition, foods, and exercise. “About 95 percent of schools are meeting the new standards.”
This may explain why, despite the less-than-stellar reputation of school food, Farris and other Virginia Tech researchers found that cafeteria lunches are actually healthier than the meals parents are packing. To determine this, the scientists analyzed the contents of 1,314 student lunches at three elementary schools in rural Virginia. “There have been studies [like this before], but they were prior to the new guidelines,” she said.
So how did the nutritional showdown pan out? After crunching the numbers, the researchers found that the packed lunches contained more calories, carbs, fat, and sugar and less protein and fiber than the school lunches.
The foods that parents tossed into their little learners’ brown bags explain these nutritional differences: Packed lunches were less likely to contain fruits and vegetables and more likely to include chips and sugary drinks, compared to cafeteria meals. Which foods cropped up again and again? Grab-and-go items, such as mini bags of chips, Capri Sun drink pouches, and Lunchables. And while none of the school cafeterias offered dessert, 61 percent of the brown-bag meals included a sweet treat.
Although packed lunches may vary by region and socioeconomic status, Farris thinks her study’s findings are on par with national trends. “The results speak to a wider problem of our children [consuming] more sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts,” she told Yahoo Health. These dietary shifts are likely fueled by one thing: convenience. “You really have to go the extra mile to chop fruits and vegetables — it just takes more time,” she said. “Convenience foods are very handy, but for the most part, they aren’t healthy options.”
And as any parent can attest, it’s often a struggle to get your child to eat an apple instead of a cookie. “Parents might cave in to what their kids want,” said Janice Newell Bissex, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Meal Makeover Moms. “If kids see that their friends have a Lunchable and it looks good, they’ll beg their parents. And the parents think, ‘Well, it’s convenient, and they like it. So I’ll go for it.’”
Although Farris originally assumed parents opted to pack lunches due to nutritional concerns, “our results really suggest that’s not the case,” she said. “We really want to figure out what’s motivating them: Is it food preferences of their child? Do they just want to get some calories in — and that’s more important than the quality of the food? We don’t know.”
What is clear: There’s definitely room for improvement. The good news is that upping the nutritional quality of kids’ lunches doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. You can start with simple swaps — say, sending a piece of whole fruit instead of a prepackaged dessert or replacing sugary drinks with water, said Farris. “That would make a huge difference to the nutritional quality of the lunch,” she said. Or follow this roadmap to a well-balanced lunch to give your kids’ afternoon meal a total overhaul:
Essential #1: A source of protein
If you opt for the traditional lunchtime source of protein — sliced turkey breast — try serving it Lunchables style with whole-grain crackers and other bite-size nibbles. “Some children like that style of eating — just finger foods,” said Bissex. “They might be intimidated by a big sandwich, especially the younger kids.” Other creative ways to pack in protein: hummus, tuna (canned with a little mayo), or even leftover grilled chicken from last night’s dinner. “Thread fruit and little blocks of chicken and cheese on a kabob,” suggested Bissex.
The payoff: Protein is what keeps your kid full throughout the day, and it also helps prevent blood-sugar spikes and crashes, said Bissex. That equals better concentration.
Essential #2: A fruit
The easiest route is, of course, to toss a whole piece of fruit into your little one’s lunchbox. However, if your child won’t eat it, there’s no use packing it, said Bissex. Instead, try sliced-up strawberries, or use a melon baller to create small scoops of fruit. (Hint: Pack a toothpick — your kid will think it’s fun to eat fruit that way!) Dried fruit is also an option, as long as you pick the no-sugar-added kind, said Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and co-author of Feed Your Family Right! Even pre-packaged fruit cups are acceptable if you pick the ones soaked in juice or water, not syrup, said Bissex.
The payoff: Not only does fruit help quiet your child’s sweet tooth, but the fresh stuff is also full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and filling fiber, as well as water to help keep him or her hydrated, said Zied.
Essential #3: A vegetable
This may be the least convenient food group to fulfill, but with the a little prep work, you can avoid feeling rushed in the A.M. The night before, or even on Sunday evenings every week, cut up a bunch of carrots or celery, and create single portions in zip-top bags, said Bissex.
If your kiddie won’t eat plain veggies, it’s OK to include a little ranch dressing (try making your own with low-fat yogurt!) or even hummus for dipping — and don’t hesitate to experiment: “Hold taste tests at home to figure out what foods they want and like,” suggested Farris. “Get them involved in the process as much as possible.” If all else fails, you can sneak a layer of fresh spinach onto your child’s sandwich.
The payoff: Vegetables are loaded with essential nutrients — without adding a crazy number of calories to your child’s meal.
Essential #4: Whole grains
It’s not just what you put between the bread that matters — the foundation of your child’s sandwich is also critical. Whenever possible, opt for whole-grain — not white — bread or tortillas, said Bissex. The same goes for crackers if you’re sending a smorgasbord-style lunch. Triscuits are an easy option.
The payoff: Whole grains contain complex carbs and fiber to fill your little one’s belly, plus iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, which help turn food into energy, said Zied.
Essential #5: Low-fat or nonfat dairy
In the Virginia Tech study, parents did consistently pack yogurt. The question is: Did they pack the good stuff — or the sugar-laden junk? At the supermarket, check the labels and make sure you choose one of the lower-sugar options, advised Farris. “Yogurt has lactose in it, so it’s going to have some sugar,” she said. “But if sugar is one of the first ingredients on the list, then you know it has a lot of added sugar.” As an alternative, give your child the cash to buy a little carton of milk from the cafeteria.
The payoff: Dairy is packed with calcium and often has vitamin D added. Plus, “it provides protein that fills kids up and keeps them satisfied,” Zied said.
Essential #6: A source of healthy fats
This shouldn’t be the star of your child’s meal — just a small handful of nuts (if they’re allowed at his or her school) or even a few slices of avocado on a sandwich will do the trick, said Bissex. You can even turn nuts into a treat: Mix them with dried fruit and chocolate chips for a tasty trail mix, she suggested.
The payoff: Even a small amount of fat will help your child absorb certain nutrients in fruits and veggies, Bissex said.
Essential #7: Water
Even if your child buys milk from the cafeteria, you should always pack a bottle of water, too. You can even add a splash of 100 percent fruit juice or fresh berries or cucumber slices to flavor it, said Zied.
The payoff: One word: hydration!
Optional Item: Dessert
If you want to send a little something special, skip the prepackaged sweets, and make your own at home instead. “Then you have a lot more control over how healthy they are,” Bissex pointed out. “I always try to weave in a little bit of good nutrition to cookies — a little flaxseed, a little wheat germ.” You could also go the trail-mix route (see above), or even just break off a square of chocolate to sate your child’s sweet tooth.
https://www.yahoo.com/health/nutrition-smackdown-school-lunch-vs-packed-lunch-102450598117.html
Labels:
diet,
fat,
healthy food,
nutrition,
protein
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
The Paleo Diet
Paleo diet can help you tremendously by losing fat and weight. Paleo is a very popular diet, which offers real benefits and millions of people are using this diet to get the benefits.
Paleo works and that’s why people like it.
You can use Paleo diet and with a few simple ways you can maximize your fat and weight loss.
Keep your food simple
Paleo diet is effective for fat and weight loss because it can reduce the number of calories without consciously reducing them. If you eat simple foods, you tend to eat less and that will help you to get rid of the extra pounds without any effort.
You can keep your paleo diet simple by sticking to the basics of a healthy meal. Add a protein source such as meat or fish, whole foods, carbohydrates from root vegetables and fruits, lots of non-starchy vegetables, and the little bit of healthy fat. When you are trying to lose weight and fat, it is always better to cook simple dishes instead of gourmet meals. Keeping your diet simple will also help you to avoid those extra ingredients and flavoring needed for complex recipes. You can always go for those tasty gourmet meals during the weekend or on special occasions.
Eat enough
If you’re trying to lose fat and weight, you should eat enough. Some people may believe that eating less food will help you when you’re trying to lose weight. However, it’s not true. You should not deprive your body of the calories and nutrients that you need for the optimal functioning of the body. If you suddenly decrease your calorie intake too much, it will reduce your resting metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn just being alive. In that case, your program to lose weight and fat may be jeopardized. You don’t have to serve yourself to lose fat and weight.
Paleo diet is helpful here because it does not let you serve and keeps you full. You don’t have to fight hunger when you are trying Paleo diet. If you can naturally reduce the amount of food you are consuming, you can easily lose weight. That’s what Paleo diet tries to do. You can eat meals that will satisfy you without the need to count calories and at the same time you will eat less than before.
Move throughout the day
If you’re on a Paleo diet, then you should not sit much and keep moving throughout the day. If you sit too much, it will negate the benefits of exercising and will make your weight loss program harder. In general, most of the time of a common individual is spent sitting doing something or other. Exercising will not be able to reverse the harmful effects that too much of sitting has. You need to become active throughout your day so that you can get more benefit from the Paleo diet and exercising. There are different ways to keep you moving throughout the day. You can also get a standing desk to make sure you are not setting all the time while in office.
Eat enough carbs
You should eat enough carbs to support your activity level. You should not overeat carbs, but you should eat enough carbs so that you are capable of optimally performing all the bodily functions every day.
If you work with your body instead of against it, losing weight may be very effortless for you.
Primal Burn – Paleo Burn Fat Burner System can help you to lose weight by burning your fat.
Labels:
calories,
diet,
fat,
paleo,
weight loss
Friday, 31 October 2014
Eliminate Negative Thoughts And Lose Weight
You think thousands of thoughts each day. You talk to yourself more than anyone else. You are your most trusted advisor and confidant. Many of the conversations that you have with yourself you would never share with anyone else because to do so would expose the “real” you. The you that is filled with self doubt, worries, sadness, guilt, hurts and disappointments.
But this is not the “real you” at all. This is the you that your ego and belief systems have constructed. These negative beliefs have been constructed by you, and accepted by you as truth. The sad thing is that nothing can be further from the truth.
Where did these false ideas about you originate? They mostly came from others; parents, teachers, co-workers, and friends. They might have planted the seed by saying something like “she is fat” and you have cultivated those comments to the point that they have become your truth.
You are allowing your entire life to be controlled by some obscure comments made years ago. Nobody has the right or power to dictate who you are. Only you know who you truly are and what’s in your heart.
When you were born you entered this world without the burdens of you current negative belief system. You entered this world as a beautiful bundle of joy filled with unlimited potential and possibilities.
I’m here to tell you that you have not changed. You are still and will always be a beautiful bundle of joy with unlimited potential and possibilities.
The only difference is what you give your attention to. Let me ask you a question. If you stopped all the negative talk that you currently have with yourself such as;
- I’m too fat
- Why would anyone want to love me
- I will never be thin
- I always fail
And the list can go on and on… How would you feel ? Do you think that you would feel emotionally lighter ? Do you think that you would feel happier ? Do you think that you would feel more confident ?
Now how do you think your life would change if you were to go one step further and modify your self talk by only speaking positively about yourself. If you take some time and focus on what you like about yourself and focus on only that your emotional state will become positive to the point that you will be able to accomplish anything.
Once you begin looking for the positive things within you, you will be surprised to realize your magnificence has always been there just below the surface. You have never been anything other then that shining bundle of joy that entered the world years ago. It’s easy to uncover positive aspects of yourself by asking some questions.
- What am I good at?
- Who has benefited by me being in the world?
- Who am I, what is in my heart that only I know?
- What do I like about my body?
Your goal is to feel good now. How do you feel now? If you only observe what you feel is positive about you, you will feel good, you will be happy. Decide right here and right now how you want to feel. Decide that you will always look for the good within you and appreciate that goodness.
So what does all of this have to do with losing weight? Everything!!! Your emotional state is the control valve that determines what you draw into your experience. How you talk to yourself creates your beliefs and programs your subconscious. So you need to ask yourself do you want your beliefs and subconscious programming to be based on false negative thinking. Or do you want your beliefs to be based on the truth, that you are and always have been a perfect being.
Begin today to love and nurture yourself. Allow the joy, playfulness and enthusiasm that you naturally had as a child begin to flow into your everyday experiences. Allow yourself to celebrate each and every success no matter how small. Love and appreciate yourself every opportunity you have. Do this everyday and watch your weight begin to dissolve just as your old negative beliefs about yourself begin to dissolve.
But this is not the “real you” at all. This is the you that your ego and belief systems have constructed. These negative beliefs have been constructed by you, and accepted by you as truth. The sad thing is that nothing can be further from the truth.
Where did these false ideas about you originate? They mostly came from others; parents, teachers, co-workers, and friends. They might have planted the seed by saying something like “she is fat” and you have cultivated those comments to the point that they have become your truth.
You are allowing your entire life to be controlled by some obscure comments made years ago. Nobody has the right or power to dictate who you are. Only you know who you truly are and what’s in your heart.
When you were born you entered this world without the burdens of you current negative belief system. You entered this world as a beautiful bundle of joy filled with unlimited potential and possibilities.
I’m here to tell you that you have not changed. You are still and will always be a beautiful bundle of joy with unlimited potential and possibilities.
The only difference is what you give your attention to. Let me ask you a question. If you stopped all the negative talk that you currently have with yourself such as;
- I’m too fat
- Why would anyone want to love me
- I will never be thin
- I always fail
And the list can go on and on… How would you feel ? Do you think that you would feel emotionally lighter ? Do you think that you would feel happier ? Do you think that you would feel more confident ?
Now how do you think your life would change if you were to go one step further and modify your self talk by only speaking positively about yourself. If you take some time and focus on what you like about yourself and focus on only that your emotional state will become positive to the point that you will be able to accomplish anything.
Once you begin looking for the positive things within you, you will be surprised to realize your magnificence has always been there just below the surface. You have never been anything other then that shining bundle of joy that entered the world years ago. It’s easy to uncover positive aspects of yourself by asking some questions.
- What am I good at?
- Who has benefited by me being in the world?
- Who am I, what is in my heart that only I know?
- What do I like about my body?
Your goal is to feel good now. How do you feel now? If you only observe what you feel is positive about you, you will feel good, you will be happy. Decide right here and right now how you want to feel. Decide that you will always look for the good within you and appreciate that goodness.
So what does all of this have to do with losing weight? Everything!!! Your emotional state is the control valve that determines what you draw into your experience. How you talk to yourself creates your beliefs and programs your subconscious. So you need to ask yourself do you want your beliefs and subconscious programming to be based on false negative thinking. Or do you want your beliefs to be based on the truth, that you are and always have been a perfect being.
Begin today to love and nurture yourself. Allow the joy, playfulness and enthusiasm that you naturally had as a child begin to flow into your everyday experiences. Allow yourself to celebrate each and every success no matter how small. Love and appreciate yourself every opportunity you have. Do this everyday and watch your weight begin to dissolve just as your old negative beliefs about yourself begin to dissolve.
Labels:
fat,
weight loss
Monday, 27 October 2014
Monday, 13 October 2014
6 Undeniable Reasons You Are Overweight
The commonly held assumption that being overweight is simply a mathematical formula of calories in and calories out is an outdated way of thinking that needs to be changed. Weight gain is often a complicated dynamic between one's culture, environment, exercise habits, eating styles, genetics, and biochemical individuality. With that said, here are 6 reasons you are overweight.
Sluggish metabolism
There may be a few reasons for a sluggish metabolism, but one of the primary culprits is an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). When hypothyroidism causes metabolism to slow, the body will store rather than burn calories, causing an accumulation of fat. The consequence of this slowing metabolism can create:
- An accumulation of hyalouronic acid, a sugar that binds with water in the body, causing swelling and an increase in weight. This is characterized by puffy, thick skin and fluid retention.
- A sluggish digestive system, resulting in gastrointestinal problems that could lead to a more serious condition known as leaky gut. Weight gain is a potential result of digestive disturbances.
- A decrease in insulin production by the pancreas due to inflammation, also known as pancreatitis. When insulin imbalances occur, blood sugars are not burned off and they turn into fat.
- A decrease in the body's thermogenic (fat burning capacity), which can lead to increased fat storage.
An unhealthy toxic load can also cause stagnant lymph flow, which holds water and toxins so body weight accumulates. Toxic accumulation in the colon can also drain the body of energy, lower metabolism, and burden the detoxification organs, like the liver and kidneys.
Insulin imbalance
Many cases of being overweight are due to an imbalance of the hormone insulin. Insulin allows the body to use glucose (sugar) and carbohydrates. However, factors such as genetic predisposition, food allergies, eating habits, and stress can interfere with glucose and carbohydrate utilization, which can result in a condition known as glucose intolerance. Excess sugar consumption (refined carbohydrates) may also contribute to glucose intolerance and obesity.
Usually insulin will signal the body to stop eating, but if your glucose levels are chronically heightened due to inefficient insulin, you may eat more. This sets up a nasty cycle of eating more refined carbohydrates, which leads to even more hunger, which often ends to more weight gain.
Lack of exercise
The amount of exercise you incorporate on a regular basis will strongly affect your weight. We are generally much less active than previous generations and our time is more consumed by television. It is estimated that a quarter of the population is completely sedentary while up to 55% are inadequately active.
Without exercise, your metabolism slows down, your lymph becomes congested, and your lean muscle mass becomes depleted. All these factors facilitate excessive weight gain.
Dieting
Food restriction for the purpose of weight loss should be avoided. Ironically, we have become fatter as a culture, partly because of the yo-yo effects of dieting.
Whenever the body is deprived of food, whether it is because of famine or dieting, the body ensures survival by decreasing metabolic rate in order to compensate for fewer calories. Energy is stored so efficiently in adipose (fat) tissue that a person of normal weight can survive for 2 months without eating.
When the food restriction ends, the desire to binge kicks in as a result of another built in survival mechanism. This leads to an unhealthy trap that often results in a primarily overweight state.
Psychosocial factors
Many people overeat due to stress, anger, sadness, boredom, and other emotional factors unrelated to hunger or nutritional needs. Food is interwoven into our social activities, childhood memories, and the psyche. Holidays are filled with excessive food intake and bad food combinations that significantly contribute to weight gain.
It's important to note that food affects mood by triggering the release of endorphins (natural pain killers) and serotonin (mood boosters). Unfortunately, the types of foods eaten (chocolate, carbohydrates, and sweets) not only elevate your mood but trigger cravings for more. This emotional eating can contribute to significant weight gain if you lead a stressful life or have unresolved emotional issues.
Your intestinal flora play a huge role in how your brain works, from food cravings to mood. Your gut health effects your overall ability and desire to loose weight. Check out the first two sources for more information on intestinal health.
http://www.naturalnews.com/047180_obesity_overweight_metabolism.html?utm_content=buffer036a6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Labels:
calories,
carbohydrates,
diet,
exercise,
fat,
metabolism,
nutrition,
overweight,
stress,
toxins,
weight loss
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
A Diabetes Diet For People Who Have Tried Everything Else: This Diet Will Change Your Life
Hearing your doctor say that you have diabetes is a life-altering moment. You know instinctively that everything about your life has changed. What you eat, how and when you exercise, whether you can travel and even the type of work you do will now be seen through the filter of this diagnosis. Nothing will ever be the same.
Traditionally, medical treatments for diabetes have focused on lowering the blood levels of sugar in diabetic patients. Originally, injectable insulin was the drug of choice. In recent years, more medications have been added to the diabetes-fighting arsenal. These new drugs include, according to the American Diabetes Association website (1), thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, bile acid sequestrants, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, meglitinides and SGLT2 inhibitors. While all of these drugs work differently in the body, and come with a myriad of side effects, their main purpose is to chemically lower blood glucose levels.
A diabetes diet for people who have tried everything else
Purely medical treatments are one way to address high blood sugar. But, even though insulin treatments have been the standard for more than 90 years, and even as more and more drugs are being introduced, some doctors are now beginning to stress the importance of diet and exercise in addressing diabetes. Some studies even suggest that the disease can be stopped in its tracks with changes in diet and lifestyle. Here are a few dietary changes you can make that may lessen your need for medical intervention, and may reverse your diabetes entirely.
- Take a good look at sugar -- It's a known fact that refined sugar in your diet
can lead to obesity, and obesity is a risk factor for developing diabetes.
Refined sugars cause blood sugar
levels to spike and then drop. This not only leads to weight gain but also
can cause you to feel hungry, which leads to eating unnecessary calories.
Refined sugar is everywhere in our modern diets. It's in sodas; it's in
cereals; it's even in ketchup and mayonnaise. To bring diabetes under
control, it's important to avoid refined sugar in all its forms. Natural,
alternative sweeteners include applesauce, dried fruits and stevia.
- Highly processed carbohydrates
have to go -- When picking carbohydrates
for your diet, choose whole grains, not highly processed carbs.
Whole grains are packed with vitamins and micronutrients which are
essential for your overall health, but they have also been found to
protect against diabetes. The fiber and bran found in whole grains make
them slower to digest. This action stabilizes the rise of blood sugar. The
Nutrition Source (2) lists the benefits of whole grains as lowering
total cholesterol levels, lowering blood insulin levels and stabilizing
blood sugar levels after meals and throughout the day. In an analysis of
the Nurses' Health Studies (3), researchers looked at the whole-grain
consumption habits of over 160,000 women followed for 18 years. Those
women who consistently ate whole grains and whole-grain products were a
whopping 30 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than the women
who didn't eat whole grains.
- Natural plant-based fats vs.
animal and trans fats -- A
study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (4), has found
that increasing polyunsaturated fats -- such as those found in sunflower
and olive oil -- and avoiding trans fats, greatly reduces the chances of
developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, according to the article, simply
replacing 2 percent of dietary trans fats with plant-based fats instead
lowers the risk of diabetes by 40 percent.
- Don't forget supplements -- There are many vitamins and minerals with a proven
track record for lowering blood sugar. Consider supplementing your new, healthy diet
with chromium, magnesium and vanadium. Add antioxidant vitamins, as well,
such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium.
- Spice it up -- Herbs and spices are nature's fun way of improving
our diets. They not only make us healthier but add flavor and interest to
our food. Blood sugar-lowering spices and herbs include cinnamon,
fenugreek and the nopal cactus.
The take away here is that the more natural your diet, the better your health. Replace processed sugars, flours and fats with their natural alternatives, and you're well on your way to a healthy life.
http://www.naturalnews.com/047146_diabetes_healthy_diet_nutrition.html?utm_content=bufferb0669&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Labels:
carbohydrates,
diabetes,
diet,
fat,
supplements
Saturday, 4 October 2014
Weight Loss 101
Trainer: Katie Coles, Research Nutritionist, MS, RD, CPT
Have you changed up your diet, only to be stuck on a weight-loss plateau, or worse, even gain weight? Do you think you’re eating healthily, but can’t seem to slough off the pounds? Do you have weight-loss goals, but don’t know where to start? Research nutritionist Katie Coles is here to help. In this podcast, learn more about what to focus on to bring about successful, lasting weight loss, including:
• Why monitoring calorie intake is vital
• The importance of where your calories come from, including protein, carbohydrates and fat
• How weight-loss supplements, including those from Isagenix, fit into weight-loss plans
To listen to the podcast go to: http://isagenixpodcast.com/weight-loss-101/
If you want to smile next time you step on the scale, listen in for important tips. For more on Isagenix products, go to: http://www.healthnharmony1.isagenix.com/
Labels:
calories,
carbohydrates,
diet,
fat,
Isagenix,
protein,
supplements,
weight loss
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
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/
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/
Labels:
calories,
cholesterol,
fat,
muscle,
supplements,
weight loss
Monday, 11 August 2014
Beets for Weight Loss
One of the general symptoms of a stressed liver is weight gain.
A healthy functioning liver helps with weight loss by breaking down fats more
efficiently.
Beets are rich in folate. Beets are a terrific source of
potassium and manganese. They are a great source of copper, vitamin
C,iron, magnesium and phosphorus. They are also a very good source of
dietary fiber, and together with the beet’s liver protecting properties make
this a useful weight loss food.
A study has also shown that consuming beetroot juice can boost
stamina and could help extend exercising for as much as 16% longer. The nitrate
found in beetroot juice results in a decrease in oxygen uptake, which makes
exercise less tiring.
The nitrate has 2 physiological effects. To start with, it helps
to widen the blood vessels, which reduces blood pressure and allows for better
blood flow. Muscle tissue is also affected; the amount of oxygen required by
muscles when exercising is reduced. The combined effects have a positive
influence on performing physical tasks, regardless if it’s low or high
intensity activity.
http://www.shape-able.com/beets-for-weight-loss.html
Labels:
fat,
metabolism,
weight loss
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)









