Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Identify good and bad carbohydrate

As the name suggests South Beach Diet helps you sliming down and lowering the risk of your heart attack. There is a common notion that carbohydrates is the main culprit of fat accumulation of body. But in reality carbohydrates are good for health and intake of good carbohydrate only enhances in making the body healthy and sound. But the problem is we never knew about good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates. This is the point from where South Beach Diet starts working. The diet plan is not only a low carbohydrate diet, but helps the dieters in understanding the difference between good and bad carbohydrate.

The brain child behind South Beach Diet

This effective diet plan is designed by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston and Marie Almon, the dietitian. The diet is considered to be low fat approach. The most important part is the dieters can lose weight without hampering the nutritional requirement of body. South Beach Diet is based on Glycemic Index means that the foods are ranked as per the level of glycemic.

Know good carbohydrate and bad carbohydrate

Thus, from the above discussion it is clear that South Beach Diet insists on striking a healthy balance between fats and carbohydrates. Thus, foods with bad carbohydrates are strictly prohibited in this diet that includes baked goods, soft drinks and different types of sweets. With minimizing the intake of bad carbohydrates your body will experience better metabolize what you eat and resist the improvement of insulin resulting in weight loss.

How South Beach Diet work?

The diet is divided into three phase. Each phase concentrates on relaxing the dieter in terms of what one can eat and cannot eat. Thus, this will result in losing weight in faster rate at earlier phase compared to later phase. But the point is no person on this earth wants to be on strict diet, throughout his or her life. Thus, this becomes the main reason why most of the diet fails to work. In order to gain a healthy body the dieter thus moves to different phases. The phases are the basis of South Beach Diet.

The three phases of South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet Phase 1: The first phase is the most strict phase of diet. The phase strictly insists on having taking six meals throughout the day. But the food must have low fats and low Glycemic index to control the blood sugar level. The phase continues for 2 weeks.

South Beach Diet Phase 2: In this phase the intake of healthy carbohydrates are slowly introduced like fruit and whole grain bread. Glycemic index is used in picking low carbohydrate food and how it affects in blood sugar level. The phase depends on ability to monitor weight and body reaction after intake of carbohydrate enriched food.

South Beach Diet Phase 3: This phase continues with the rest of your life. The phase insist on providing a plan that the cravings for bad foods will go forever and help in attaining your ideal weight.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Way to long healthy life

Macrobiotic diet is a part of Eastern philosophy of Great Life or macrobiotics. The diet was designed by Japanese educator George Ohsawa. He believed that the key to healthy and optimal life is nothing but simplicity. This diet is very interesting in the sense that it includes ten progressive restrictive stages, where in the last stage the dieter is instructed only to take brown rice and water. Since, macrobiotic diet comes with extreme restriction, this version of diet is not recommended.

Evolution of macrobiotic diet

The concept of macrobiotic diet is good for health, thereby making an evolution and the concept got expanded. Michio Khushi was the man who expanded this theory and along with his wife Aveline popularized this macrobiotic diet across North America.

Why macrobiotic diet?

If you want to opt for healthy eating habit that would integrate spiritual, planetary and physical health, seek the help of macrobiotic diet. This diet consist of high fiber and low diet emphasizing on vegetarian diet like vegetables and wholegrain Soy products are also included thereby making it enriched with phytoestrogen. This kind of diet is also recommended for chronic and cancer disease and helps in reducing the risk of estrogen-linked cancer like breast cancer. Research are being conducted to find out that whether this diet is effective in preventing and treating cancer or not.

Few guidelines of macrobiotic diet

  • Include lots of whole grains and try to include at least 50 to 60 % of your entire meal. Thus,ensure intake whole wheat berries, brown rice, millet, corn, buckwheat, rye and other types of whole grain. You can consume occasionally different flour products like noodles, oats, pasta and baked goods.
  • Soups are very important and make sure that one or two bowls of soup are included. Shoyu and miso must be used in soups made from fermented soybeans.
  • In macrobiotic diet fresh green vegetables makes up to 25 to 30% of food intake. Of this proportion one-third of vegetables can be consumed raw. Whereas on the other hand vegetables can be consumed after steaming, baking, boiling or saute.
  • In the expanded form of macrobiotic diet animal products are also included but only limited to the consumption of white meat like fish and chicken. Other animals products includes poultry, eggs, meat, dairy are generally avoided. Seafood or fish are consumed with horseradish, ginger, wasbi, mustard in order to help the body in detoxifying from the effects of seafood or fish.
  • If you have sweet tooth, then you can rejoice as macrobiotic diet allows intake of sweets in moderate level. If you are in good healthy you can enjoy them three times in a week. But it is advisable to consume natural sweet foods like squash, apple, dried fruit. You must avoid honey, sugar, molasses, carob, chocolate and other sweeteners.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Stay on Healthy Diet Zone

The Zone- Wondering what is it? It is a kind of diet that helps in maintaining your desired weight by consuming a well planned diet. The meal is prepared in such a way that the hormonal balance is maintained in a right way. The diet is designed in such a manner that body gets the entire nutrition but controlling the insulin production of the body. Say good bye to hard and strict diet as Zone's Diet allows you to have meal you like or snacks you prefer.

Know more about Zone's Diet

So what is the food plan of Zone's diet? Here comes: 40% carbohydrates, 30% fats, 30% proteins. Thus lose weight while eating happily. The benefits of Zone's diet is not limited to losing weight only. If you suffer from diabetics, cardiovascular sickness, different types of chronic ailments, you can follow Zone's diet. For different types of problems Zone recommends different kind of recipes and if you stay on Zone's diet you will improve your health drastically.

The Zone Diet strictly prohibits the dieters to consume meal below 500 calories or a snack up to 100 calorie. Thus, the dieters enjoy load of benefit if they stick with Zone's diet like improved energy and health followed by mental clarity. If you are suffering from Type II diabetics, Zone's Diet proves to be quite beneficial. With low carbohydrate and high protein diet it reduces the dieter's hunger and eating compulsion. The amount of consumption varies from person to person depending on several factors like gender, the level of activity and the proportion of fat in body. But the basic calculation of meal remains all same 40-30-30 ratio. Thus, you might be wondering what are the food ingredient included in this Zone's Diet?

Fresh vegetables, nuts and fruits, green leafy vegetables, adequate consumption of protein followed by intake of eight glasses of water. And remember processed foods and meals with extra salt are strictly prohibited.

How you lose weight with Zone's Diet?

The body produces too much insulin if one consumes too much carbohydrates. The insulin in turn asks the body to accumulate the consumed nutrients. This insulin overload asks the body to turn those carbohydrates to fat and store in different parts of the body like thighs, gut and buttocks. But protein acts in contradictory with that as it instructs the body to allow the carbohydrates to go and stock in liver. Thus, Zone's diet asks in limiting the different types of carbohydrates and gradually balancing them with few ounces of low protein with each small meal. This results in balanced insulin and controlling hunger with limited number of calories. So, what is the end result? Lose weight and cutting out those extra flabs.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Japanese Art of Food

Japan is a place that is widely known for its unique culture and interesting traditional aspects. Equally, the food of Japan, specially the traditional food is enriched with healthy aspects perfect for building your health and losing weight. In most of the cases, it is seen that while dieting the body fails to get proper nutrition that only contributes in making the conditions worse. But Japanese food is just amazing and works like medicine. Easy to adopt and tasty to eat the art of food is one of the best secrets that we provide you from Japan. Follow the secret of Japan and see how you can shed your extra pound with a very short span of time.


Benefits of Japanese food revealed


l In traditional diet of Japan some of the staple food includes green tea, seaweed, ume and miso. These are power packed food that provides the body with right nutrition and that too without adding an extra pound to your body.

l The diet includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and we all know how freshness provides benefit to your skin, body and mind. Japanese people always look for fresh ingredient at grocery store and cook meals based on that fresh ingredients only. Fresh ingredients ensures fresh body and mind.

l The seasons of Japan are wonderful and the seasonal fruits and vegetables provide with own benefit. The culture of Japan celebrate the seasons wonderfully. With the change of seasons the color of maple leaves or cherry blossoms change and so do the color of the food also. The ripeness of food are celebrated with delicious dishes. Thus, if you are following traditional Japanese food make sure that you include lots of seasonal vegetables, especially fruits.

l Let's share an interesting part about traditional Japanese food. The Japanese culture only relies on producing vegetables and fruits with uncompromising quality. In many parts of world agriculture is based on genetic modifications and mass production and not quality. Many Japanese people grow their own fruits and vegetables to maintain the highest quality possible.

l Imagine the dish you prepared looks beautiful and adorable. Yes, that's what the culture of Japan believes while eating. Different colorful edible berries and leaves provide the food with splash of colors. Thus, the dish receives an enhancement in terms of smell, texture and taste.

l Suffer from dairy and wheat allergies? Opt for Japanese food as rice is replaced by wheat and dairy products are not included in Japanese diet. Thus, say good bye to your habit of munching on mid night snack and stay healthy.

l Doctors say that the best way to cut your extra fat is to east small meals throughout the day, instead of having four full fledged meal. In Japanese culture the food is served in small dishes and thus less is consumed thereby preventing the accumulation of fat.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Slim down with right diet

Want to cut those extra flabs out? Were you thinking about the liposuction? Then wait, here is a great diet that can curb the accumulation of calories. The Atkins Diet. Yes you can jump in joy as it is true that a simple diet can curb calories so well that you get back into shape very soon.

Who is Atkins?
Dr. Robert Atkins created the low-carb diet with inspiration from a diet that he had read from “Journal of the American Medical Association”. He had set forth to work on a diet that would reduce his overweight condition. Once he got a taste of the successful diet, he made it popular by launching a series of books named “Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution” in the year 1972. He altered the diet and incorporated some of his own recipes which worked really well on him.

To start off with Atkins diet
Before you start off with the diet there are steps to follow.

Step 1: Learn about the diet. There are various information available on the net but the best way is to check out the various books written by Atkins himself. They are the storehouses of information about the special diet.

Step 2: Count your carbs. This diet completely depends on the intake of calories. Hence exactly how much calories you are consuming becomes an important factor. There are plenty resources over the internet that offer information on the calorie content of various food items. Get your carb count straight before you opt for the Atkins Diet.

Step 3: There are four stages to the diet. You start with an optional induction that lasts about two weeks. Be sure of your intentions before jumping onto any conclusion.

Step 4: Planning is as much a necessity as the diet. Jumping onto a diet might cause health issues. Be careful and plan ahead of time. Seasoning your digestive system is a requirement.

The phases of Atkins Diet

Phase 1: Induction,
Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss or OWL
Phase 3: Pre-maintenance and
Phase 4: Maintenance

Two main leads to the Atkins Diet

What is the essence of this diet program?
Cutting down on the carbohydrate intake, the main cause of calorie accumulation and culmination into fat.
Innovative customized diet for the person

The carbohydrate ladder of Atkins

During the weight loss phase, Atkins recommends adding some calories to the diet to maintain a balance. However, that does not call for an unhealthy burger. Checkout what is in store for you at this stage.
Salad and various other vegetables
Berries and melons
Seeds and nuts
Aged and fresh cheese
Dry wine
Starchy vegetables
Fruits
Legumes and
Whole grains

What is off the Atkins Diet?
The products like added sugar, and refined grains that do not agree with the low-card diet norms are off the diet chart.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Dump these for great hair

To maintain that brilliant mane, your diet plays a significant role. There are various specialists who recommend the right diet and calorie intake for a healthy body and hair. We present some of the nutrients or food that you must avoid to maintain a healthy bounce and shine in your hair. You can sport the look your desire.

· Monosodium Glutamate aka “ajinomoto” is a dangerous chemical. Avoid using it in your food. It augments appetite, causes weight gain and affects your health. Chinese food sometimes contain monosodium glutamate. Check with your chef before you delve into any sumptuous dish.
· Hydrogenated oil is a big no no. Never cook your meals in such oil. It contains transfats that causes weight gain, heart diseases and medical hair loss issues. Be very careful when you choose your cooking oil.
· Avoid food that contains Aspartame. It is a toxin that aggravates hunger, migraine and weight problems.
· Processed sugar is extremely harmful for your health as the natural content is taken out to form a white powdery substance. Sugar also contains various chemicals used to grow sugarcane. It is also a safe way to stay away from diabetes. Diabetes is said to affect your hair and culminate into excessive hair loss.
· "Natural" or "Artificial Flavor" food are fertilized with chemicals, herbicides and pesticides. Bottom line- not safe and can be easily avoided for healthy hair. Better concentrate on leafy green vegetables for hair and eyes.
· Avoid spicy food. There are certain spices that may look healthy but actually affects your health. The manufacturers use chemicals to produce such spices. The worse kind of spices that affect the health of your hair are pepper, oregano and salt. Have it if necessary, but sparingly.
· No artificial color in food. Dye is a chemical poison. You better stay away from such ingredients in your food.
· Palm oil is said to trigger various health issues. Why go for such unhealthy ingredients when you have far better options to use.
· Avoid foods that contain dextrose, fructose and sucrose. These are chemically made sweeteners and not good for your health at all.
· Splenda and sucrose are man-made spices. They are artificial and affects your appetite, aggravates depression and results in sporadic allergies. Hair loss is furthered with the consumption of such ingredients in your food.
· Replace your refined, bleached wheat flour with organic wheat flour. The bleached flour contains no nutritional value. Use rye or millet instead. Better for a healthy mane and safe eating.
· Soy protein hampers your health. Soy protein isolate present in protein shakes and protein food bars is made of hexane, a petroleum product like gasoline. The refining and processing goes through an entire chemical procedure.
Avoid such food and go natural. Having vegetables and fruits are a refreshing way to stay healthy.

Food that makes you beautiful

Natural beauty is enhanced by the ingredients and food offered by nature. The ideal diet is what gives you all the necessary nutrition, the best of nature. So check out some of the eatables that add to your natural beauty.

Fruits: You need not be a fruitarian to grow love for fruits. Doctors, parents, relatives and almost everyone recommends fruits as an everyday affair. Juicy citrus fruits contain vitamin C that can work wonders for your skin. Wondering what can a citrus fruit do? The vitamin C content can fight cold, check pigmentation and strengthen your capillaries. The fruits that you can bank on are orange, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, cantaloupe and strawberries.

Nuts: Almonds are really great for your skin and also for your hair. Try snacking on almonds to get a clear complexion. Nuts have high vitamin B content which triggers cell restoration of your skin, improves your hair and reduced dryness of skin. If you want to look youthful and feel energetic, do not keep your stomach empty and keep snacking on almonds. However, as almonds are tempting, do not cram your stomach with loads of it.

Spinach: Green and leafy vegetables are great for your skin and health. Children are extremely fond of Popeye who munches on spinach whenever he needs power. The bottom line is that spinach is the ultimate health food for mankind. It contains omega 3 and folates that reduces heart risk, osteoporosis and stroke.

Yogurt: Many cultures claim this to be their invention. Available in various forms, yogurt is a fermented version of milk. The process involves the growth of a multitude of probiotic organisms, which when consumed, reinforces the beneficial bacteria inside our body. This provides immunity to fatal medical conditions like cancer. You can have kefir instead of yogurt. To make things more interesting, top your yogurt with walnuts, blue berries, honey or flaxeseed in your breakfast. Soy yogurt is also a healthy option.

Tomatoes: Red vegetables are extremely healthy because they contain antioxidant lycopene. In fact, even processed tomatoes contain same nutritional value as the porous skin absorbs lycopene easily. Lycopene-rich diet can decrease your risk of health issues stomach cancer, prostrate, skin, lung and bladder problems. A glass of tomato juice a day is sufficient to infuse the desirable amount of lycopene in your body. You can also bank upon substitute vegetables and fruits like red watermelon, Japanese persimmon, pink grapefruit, guava and papaya.

Carrots: Most of the red, orange and yellow vegetables contain carotenoids. These are soluble fat compounds and reduces the chances of a wide range of cancer, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

You can also gorge on other foods like blue berries, black beans, oats, avocado, asparagus, salmon, tuna and many more.