Following a pregnancy diet

March 23rd, 2011 By admin

Pregnancy is one of the most important phases of your life when you actually experience another life that becomes attached to you and breathes within you. However, this phase also puts extra responsibility on you as you have to consider the wellness and health of your forthcoming baby as well.

Therefore, achieving and maintaining a good diet schedule during pregnancy is of utmost important not only for the fitness and nutrition of your own body but also for the mental and physical health of your about-to-be-born baby.

Following are some simple, easy to use steps to eat a diet during pregnancy:

Eat modestly: Being pregnant does not mean you need to get maximum calories. You should eat only 300-400 extra calories a day. Eating for two does not mean eating two times the amount of food. Pregnant mothers only need about 300-400 extra calories in their diet to assure their babies get enough nutrients.

Eat proteins: While eating A-Grade proteins (such those found in meat) is important, you should choose chicken and turkey and lean beef. Some nutritionists also advise to avoid fish during pregnancy as the mercury levels in some fish have been shown to contribute to birth defects in the baby.

Eat green leafy vegetables: Make sure you get 2-4 servings of vegetables a day in your pregnancy diet especially dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli. These are high in folic acid, something your baby needs in the first trimester to form properly.

Eat fruits: Make sure you are eating 2-4 servings of fruitss a day. Be sure to include citrus fruits (rich in Vitamin C) like oranges or grapefruits in your pregnancy diet. These are also high in folic acid and will help your baby develop properly.

Eat whole grains: Choose foods like oatmeal and whole grain breads to keep you on track for healthy weight gain during pregnancy. For example, you can go for brown rice over white rice.

Eat nuts and oils: Make sure you are getting enough omega 3 fatty acids in your diet by eating a handful of nuts or using diet friendly oils such as olive oil. Omega 3 contributes in helping develop a healthy brain in your baby.

Take supplements: You should also make sure that you are taking daily prenatal multi-vitamins and mineral supplements as recommended by your doctor to maintain a consistent supply of essential anti-oxidants, nutrients and minerals.

Eat short but frequent meals: You should take small meals and snacks throughout the day to help you minimize nausea and heartburn (morning sickness) during pregnancy. Eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day is recommended.

Plan ahead: Pregnancy diet is all about planning and thinking in advance for the new arrival. Accordingly, you should stock your refrigerator with healthy snacks and meals that you’ve prepared ahead of time. Plan ahead and put together your menu plan each week to make sure that you have enough time to buy and prepare your food.

Drink plenty of water: Drinking at least 7-8 glasses of water on daily basis has multiple health benefits. It helps you stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy and has a good impact on your urinary system (including kidneys) and digestive system. Therefore, you should replace any teas or sodas in your diet with water.

Finally, do remember that consuming a healthy, well balanced pregnancy diet is vital to both you and your baby. And yes, never forget to consult your doctor / obstetrician before beginning any pregnancy diet.

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Mediterranean diet

March 23rd, 2011 By admin

History and background

The famous Mediterranean diet comes from the southern Italy and the Greek island of Crete where Cretans and other Greeks live longer than any other populations in the world and they are 20% less likely to die of coronary artery disease (heart disease) than Americans. They also have 1/3 less cancer than in the U.S. The Mediterranean Sea is the largest inland sea located between Europe, Africa, and Asia with about 15 olive-growing countries borders this entire region. These include Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and the countries of North Africa.

Although the Mediterranean diet is higher in fat (40%) than the 30% recommended by the American Heart Association, it is still gaining in popularity as a tasty, heart-healthy alternative to low-fat eating and has proven its worth for centuries.

 

What is Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet consists of mostly fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, moderate to low amounts of dairy and alcohol, and low amounts of meat.

You should note that more than one-half of the fat in a Mediterranean diet comes from monounsaturated fat, mainly from olive oil which is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E and K, and in iron. It is the richest dietary source of monounsaturated fats and, hence, does not raise blood cholesterol levels the way saturated fat does. There are several types of olive oil that are heart healthy, but only extra virgin olive oil is used in the diet of the Mediterranean region.


Frequency of weight loss with the Mediterranean diet

According to weight loss experts, depending on your calorie level, following a Mediterranean diet plan with controlled portions could result in slow and lasting weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week. However, if you incorporate exercise and a natural and safe yet potent herbal weight loss supplement such as Proactol Plus in the Mediterranean diet, you will be able to lose much more weight in much less time.


What to eat in the Mediterranean diet?

First, you should remember that there is not a single “Mediterranean diet.” Instead, it’s a whole, combined dietary pattern of various vegetables, monounsaturated fats (mainly olive oil), fish, and restricted quantities of animal products.

The basic Mediterranean diet pattern includes:

  • Legumes: Eat daily.
  • Fruit: 2.5 cups daily.
  • Vegetables: 2 cups daily.
  • Fish: More than twice weekly.
  • Nuts: A handful daily.
  • Meat/poultry: Less than 4 ounces daily.
  • Dairy products: 2 cups of a low-fat variety daily.
  • Fats: Use primarily monounsaturated fats.
  • Eggs: Less than 4 per week.

 

Generally speaking, a typical Mediterranean diet consists of whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, bulgur), legumes and dried beans (garbanzo beans, lentils, black beans), a variety of fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits, seafood and fish, nuts, onions, fresh herbs, garlic, wine, unsweetened yogurt, and extra virgin olive oil.

 

Some tips for embracing the Mediterranean style of eating

  • Select whole grains for your breads, cereals, and other starches.
  • Choose nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, low-fat dairy to satisfy your protein needs. Consume less red meat. Twice per week add fish and poultry to your menu.
  • Choose water or a low fat, low sugar alternative to soft drinks.
  • Include a handful of almonds and hazelnuts as a healthy snack instead of commercially baked, salty snacks.

Most importantly, reduce the amount of saturated and Trans-fats in your diet. Use olive or canola oil instead of butter or margarine. Look for snack chips without hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (check the ingredients label). Try natural peanut butter instead of the pasty, hydrogenated kind. Alter recipes whenever possible to replace unhealthy fats with healthy fats like olive, canola or peanut oil. Use butter very sparingly or use butter flavoring. Don’t believe “Fat Free” or “Cholesterol Free” labeling means that the product is good for you.

 

Health benefits of Mediterranean diet

Effect of Mediterranean diet on heart and blood cholesterol levels

According to a published French study, 600 heart attack survivors followed either a Mediterranean diet or a regimen similar to the one recommended by the U.S. Government and American Heart Association. Interestingly enough, the short-term results at the end of the study were virtually the same as both diets reduced cholesterol levels by comparable amounts, but the long-term results were surprising. Only 8 new heart attacks occurred over the next two years in the Mediterranean group, compared to 33 in the other group.

 

General health benefits

Clinical trials also indicate that people who eat a “Mediterranean diet” tend to live longer. In addition, foods eaten in the Mediterranean Region are rich in:

Antioxidants: Reduce inflammation and have powerful healing and anti-aging effect on the body

Carotenoids: They may protect the body against damage from light and oxygen

Monounsaturated fat: These fats may delay or reduce development of cancers of the breast, colon, and skin

Phytochemicals: substances produced in plants to protect them against viruses, bacteria, and fungi

All of these ingredients are considered to promote the longer lives and lower incidence of chronic diseases found in this region.

 

Importance of other factors along with the Mediterranean diet

You must not forget that the Mediterranean diet is not a quick weight loss diet, but a whole new way of life. Almost as important as the food is regular physical activity and incorporating a safe natural herbal weight loss supplement (e.g. Proactol Plus). These multiple factors can work well and together in the Mediterranean lifestyle and cannot be replaced.

Exercise: Exercising at least 30 minutes five times a week (or daily), including resistance training twice a week is the recommended part of a healthy lifestyle and it should ideally be continued during the diet plan. However, you must also remember that during weight loss, one should focus more on reducing the amount of food consumed and once you reach your goal weight, you can always fire up the exercise portion.

Proactol Plus: Proactol Plus is an internationally acclaimed, potent yet safe herbal weight loss supplement that basically aims to reduce your appetite by binding with whatever fat you eat. With no reported side effects so far, it can be easily and effectively included in your overall Mediterranean diet plan.

 

Last but not least, there are many health benefits of following a Mediterranean diet and weight loss is just one of them. The Mediterranean diet has clearly been shown to be a healthy, sustainable diet that can help you trim your waistline in addition to a preventing a host of chronic diseases. Enjoying the bounty of delicious foods on a Mediterranean-style diet should take feelings of deprivation out, and make losing weight easier and more sustainable for you.

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Full liquid diet

March 23rd, 2011 By admin

What is a liquid diet?

A liquid diet is composed of liquids and foods that are liquid at room temperature. The goal of this diet is to provide liquids and part of the calories you need until you can eat solid food. Hence, the diet is often used as a middle step between clear liquids and solid foods.

Some examples of these foods or liquids are apple juice, clear broth, gelatin dessert, and weak tea. The liquid diet provides liquids, salt, and some nutrients for a few days until you can eat normal food. However, as this diet can meet calorie and protein needs for your body with liquids only temporarily, it is important to eat a variety of liquid foods while following this diet.


Uses of liquid diet

A liquid diet may be used before a test or surgery to make sure your digestive tract is empty. The digestive tract is the path that food takes through your body as it is digested. You may also need this diet after stomach or bowel (small and large intestines) surgery, or if you have problems with eating solid food.

 

Benefits of liquid diet

A liquid diet is specifically beneficial for people suffering from chronic illnesses (long term diseases) or those who have some complicated digestive disorder. It is most frequently recommended for people who are either about to undergo or have already undergone surgery as the liquids are easily digested (broken down) and do not put a strain on your stomach or intestines (digestive system). Following a clear liquid diet may help you feel better until you are able to eat solid food.

 

Foods allowed on a full liquid diet

Beverages: Coffee, tea (Mild tea, without cream or milk), mineral, bubbly, or plain water, fruit and vegetable juices (such as apple, cranberry, or grape, strained citrus juices or fruit punch)

Clear soft drinks like ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or club soda (No cola or root beer), clear sports drinks

 

Desserts: Custard-style yogurt, pudding, plain ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, plain popsicles (avoid popsicles with pureed fruit or fiber in them), hard candy, flavored gelatin, such as Jell-O® without fruit (you may also drink gelatin as a warm beverage before it sets)

Breads and cereals: Cream of wheat, cream of rice farina, cocoa wheat pureed soups (may include pureed meats, pureed bland vegetables, and pureed white potatoes), tomato puree

Miscellaneous: Salt, mild flavored seasonings, chocolate flavoring, gravy, margarine, sugar, syrup, jelly, honey

 

Foods not allowed on full liquid diet

  • Meats & meat substitutes, vegetables
  • Fruit smoothies, nectars, fruit juices with pulp and prune juice (Fruit juices with unstrained fruit)
  • Beverages containing alcohol
  • Dairy products such as milk, hot cocoa, buttermilk, and cream
  • All soups except Clear broth, Consommé
  • And all other foods except Sugar, honey, syrup, clear hard candy, salt (as mentioned above)

 

Finally, you may have to follow a liquid diet because your body cannot digest (break down) solid foods. If you are suffering from some medical condition and do not follow this diet as ordered, you may have diarrhea (loose, watery stool), nausea and vomiting (throwing up), gas, or bloating. At the same time, however, liquid diet should not be used on permanent basis because of the increased risk of malnutrition and other related problems.

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Diabetic diet

March 23rd, 2011 By admin

Diabetes is the most important chronic problem which is directly related to your dietary / eating habits and calorie consumption. Accordingly, you can take good care of yourself and your diabetes by learning:

  • What to eat
  • How much to eat
  • When to eat

Hence, the term “diabetes diet” is all about making wise food choices that can help you feel good every day, lose weight if you need and lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other problems caused by diabetes.

 

The recommended daily calorie intake of a diabetic diet

According to the most dieticians and nutritionists, you should ideally take 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day. Your daily diabetic diet plan should also be based on your receiving 50 to 60 percent of the daily calories from carbohydrates, 15 percent from proteins, and the remainder as fats.

 

Benefits of a diabetic diet

At the first place, healthy eating helps keep your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, in your target range. In diabetes, the real culprit is high blood glucose levels and hence, by following the recommended diabetic diet, you can help prevent various health problems and complications such as blindness, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and gangrene.

 

Components of diabetic diet

Starches: Starches are bread, grains, cereal, pasta, and starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes. They provide carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Whole grain starches are healthier because they have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber. You should eat some starches at each meal. Eating starches is healthy for everyone, including people with diabetes. However, you should buy whole grain breads and cereals. Also eat fewer fried and high-fat starches such as regular tortilla chips and potato chips, French fries, pastries, or biscuits. Try pretzels, fat-free popcorn, baked tortilla chips or potato chips, baked potatoes, or low-fat muffins. Use mustard instead of mayonnaise on a sandwich. Similarly, eat cereal with fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk.

 

 

 

Vegetables: This is, perhaps, one of the most important components of a typical diabetic diet as vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber and they are low in carbohydrate glucose. However, not all vegetables are that good for diabetics. You should go for green leafy vegetables that contain high amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Also, you should go for raw and cooked vegetables with little or no fat, sauces, or dressings. Try low-fat or fat-free salad dressing on raw vegetables or salads. Steam vegetables using water or low-fat broth can also be consumed. If you do use a small amount of fat, use canola oil, olive oil, or soft margarines (liquid or tub types) instead of fat from meat, butter, or shortening.


Fruits: Fruits are a rich source of energy, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Contrary to the popular beliefs, a diabetic diet does not stop you from eating sweet fruits. Instead, it just asks you to be more cautious in your selection.

In a diabetic diet, you can eat fruits raw or cooked, as juice with no sugar added, canned in their own juice, or dried. You should buy smaller pieces of fruit and choose pieces of fruit more often than fruit juice. Remember, whole fruit is more filling and has more fiber. You should also save high-sugar and high-fat fruit desserts such as peach cobbler or cherry pie for special occasions.


Meat & meat products: The meat and meat products include poultry, eggs, cheese, fish, and tofu. In diabetic diet, you should eat only a small amount of some of these foods each day.

Meat and meat substitutes provide protein, vitamins, and minerals but may also have high fat content. Therefore white meat (poultry / fish) is usually preferable. However, if you are taste-conscious, you can also choose modest amounts of leaner meat.

In addition, adapting the following measures for meat related foods can help you greatly.

  • Buy cuts of beef, pork, ham, and lamb that have only a little fat on them. Trim off the extra fat.
  • Eat chicken or turkey without the skin.
  • Cook meat and meat substitutes in low-fat ways such as broil, grill, stir-fry, roast , steam, microwave
  • Limit the amount of nuts, peanut butter, and fried foods you eat. They are high in fat.


Fats and Sweets: You should restrict the amount of fats and sweets you eat. Fats and sweets are not as nutritious as other foods. Fats also have a lot of calories. Sweets can be high in carbohydrate and fat. Some contain saturated fats, Trans-fats, and cholesterol that increase your risk of heart disease. Limiting these foods will help you lose weight and keep your blood glucose and blood fats under control.

As for sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners (like aspartame, acesulfame, saccharin) are preferable to both sucrose (table sugar) and fructose (fruit sugar) in drinks, cereals, puddings, and other foods. This is especially true for overweight diabetics.


Alcoholic beverages: Alcoholic drinks have calories but no nutrients. If you have alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, they can make your blood glucose level go too low. Alcoholic drinks also can raise your blood fats. It is, therefore, best to avoid alcohol altogether.

 

Salt (Sodium): Most people with diabetes eat more salt than they need. Salt can raise blood pressure, which increases the chances for heart disease or stroke. Remember, you need less than 1,000 milligrams of sodium per 1,000 calories, and should not consume more than 3,000 milligrams of sodium per day. Accordingly, a diabetic diet is a low-salt diet. Use less salt when cooking and at the table. One-half teaspoon is equal to about 1,000 milligrams of sodium. Limit foods that are high in sodium, such as processed meats, cheeses, condiments, chips, fast foods, convenience meals, crackers, and salted nuts. Read labels for sodium (NaCl) content

Last but not least, if you have diabetes and you are overweight, you should also start losing weight to lessen the risk of complications that becomes even greater when diabetes is associated with obesity. Remember, high blood sugar levels make you feel hungrier than normal. Proactol Plus is a potent herbal supplement that works naturally to suppress your appetite partially (not completely) so that you can still eat just the right amount of foods from your diabetic diet. Weight loss with the help of diabetic diet, Proactol Plus and healthy exercise reduces the risk of developing diabetes and returns many Type II diabetics to normal blood-sugar regulation. Studies have shown that losing even as little as 10 extra pounds can make a difference in your blood glucose, cholesterol, and fat levels in diabetes.

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Cabbage Soup Diet

March 22nd, 2011 By admin

Also known as fad diet or a crash diet, the Cabbage Soup diet is considered one of the most modern diets that (if used properly and regularly) can be a good way to experience quick and effective weight loss.

What is a Cabbage Soup diet?

The Cabbage Soup diet is based on a fat-burning soup and unique combinations of food along with a regular, daily consumption of a specially prepared cabbage soup.

This very specific low-calorie homemade vegetable soup includes green onions, green peppers, tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, celery, cabbage, vegetable flavored soup mix, bullion, vegetable juice and various condiments.

 

Duration of the Cabbage Soup diet plan

According to the most weight loss experts and nutritionists, this diet should only be utilized for seven days which essentially involves eating cabbage soup along with a selection of specific fruits, potatoes, bananas, skimmed milk, tomatoes, beef, vegetables, brown rice and unsweetened fruit juice.

 

One-week Cabbage Soup Diet Plan

Day 1 (Fruits): You are supposed to eat only the cabbage soup and the fruit on the first day. Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). For drinks, you are can drink unsweetened teas, cranberry juice and a plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses).

Day Two (Vegetables): On the day 2, you can eat all the vegetables (no fruits) you want along with your soup. These many include fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice including leafy green vegetables. You are instructed to stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. At dinner, you can eat a big baked potato with butter.

Day Three (Fruits & vegetable mix): The day 3 is basically a mixed combination of the previous 2 days. You can eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want except the potatoes.

Day Four (Bananas and skim milk): The day 4 is recommended to reduce your cravings for sweets and desserts. On this day, you can eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your regular cabbage soup.

 

Day 5 (Beef & tomatoes): On day 5, you are supposed to eat ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomatoes. You should also drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water to wash the uric acid (found in the beef / meat) from your body. However, if you do not like beef, you may eat broiled or baked skinless chicken instead of beef (but no skin-on chicken). Alternatively, you can also substitute broiled fish for the beef on one of the beef days i.e. day 5 or day 6 (but not both).

Don’t forget to drink your cabbage soup at least once this day.


Day 6 (Beef and vegetables): You can eat as much as lean beef and leafy green vegetables (except potatoes) as you like. However, don’t forget to drink your cabbage soup at least once.

Day 7 (Mixed): On this last day, you can eat brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables. While there is no limit to the servings, try to be modest. As usual, be sure to eat your cabbage soup at least once this day.


Benefits of Cabbage Soup diet

If the diet is correctly followed, it should cleanse your system of impurities and give you a sense of wellbeing with weight loss. One of the very attractive benefits that is claimed to be associated with this diet is “rapid weight loss” as, according to the claims, you can lose from 10 to 15 lbs. in 7 days.

Also, the diet is simple, easy to prepare and follow and does not require several and multiple recipes that require weeks or even months to be consumed.


Limitations & drawbacks of Cabbage Soup diet

Risk of weakness & disorientation: Experts suggest that if you commit to this diet for more than seven days, you could suffer from weakness and become disoriented due to an insufficient caloric intake. As this diet is low in calories, if consumed for longer period of time, it actually deprives your body of the necessary nutrients to lead and sustain a healthy life.

Finally, while the Cabbage Soup diet is still popular, it is well worth the effort to research its drawbacks and limitations before you decide to try it as your health comes first in any diet plan you choose. One of the best ways to increase effectiveness of Cabbage Soup diet is to add up a safe, natural appetite suppressant like Proactol Plus in your 7-day diet plan for daily usage. This will not only help you lose weight faster but will also reduce your food cravings naturally especially in the initial 3-4 days when the hunger is the greatest.

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South Beach Diet

March 22nd, 2011 By admin

Rationale of South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is based on the glycemic index of foods and uses the index to integrate specific foods back into the diet. In other words, this diet is consumed on the theory that eating the wrong carbohydrates leads to insulin resistance (major cause of diabetes) and weight gain. Hence, the rise in blood sugar after eating carbohydrate is not the main factor in weight gain. Instead, the amount of total calories eaten is the major factor affecting weight loss or gain. Glycemic index looks at the effect of specific foods on blood sugars and how much they are raised after eating each respective food. By including foods that do not increase blood sugar as much, such as those with a low glycemic index, the South Beach Diet claims that dieters will have less insulin response and ultimately lose weight.

Overall the diet will be lower in total energy than previously being consumed and hence more weight loss will be seen.

 

Phases / stages of South Beach Diet

 

South Beach Diet plan generally consists of three phases or stages:


Phase 1 (Restraint)

In this phase, the body depletes its storage form of glucose known as glycogen. Due to the diuretic affect of the diet, you lose more water and sodium through frequent urination. The body than enters a state in which one’s hunger level is decreased.

This phase consists of two weeks of restraint that only allow a lot of protein, certain fat and carbohydrates that are considered to have low glycemic index. The dieters are instructed to avoid all fruit, starch and dairy. However, unlike Atkins the South Beach Diet does include and recommends choosing low-fat or fat-free meats and cheeses.

By the end of this phase, your cravings will have vanished and you will not be hungry and if you do feel hungry you could be limiting yourself too much.

 

Phase 2 (Liberal Meals)

In this phase, you gradually reintroduce more carbohydrates from a selected list and foods with a low glycemic index (such as fruit, sweet potatoes, whole grain products and whole-wheat pasta) are progressively incorporated back into your diet. A healthy weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week is advised.

You stay in the second phase of your diet until you reach your target weight. If you start gaining weight you can re-enter phase one and start over.

 

Phase 3 (Maintenance, rest & freedom)

The last diet phase is considered more liberal due to the incorporation of a variety of foods. This phase is also called the maintenance phase because that’s how you are supposed to eat for the rest of your life. However, it is recommended that if you begin to put weight back at any time during this phase, you go back to phase 1 for a week or two and re-start the diet once again.

Limitations of South Beach Diet

While south beach is considered to be effective by many, it does have its own share of limitations or drawbacks. For example, it is based on the “glycemic index” and the way you prepare a food item can greatly alter the glycemic index. Also, ripeness, cooking procedures, particle size and many other factors can also influence the glycemic index. The index looks at specific foods when eaten alone, but most people do not just eat just one food item at a time. Most meals are mixed with a combination of carbohydrate, protein, and fat.

All in all, losing weight often while sticking to the South Beach Diet may take a bit of adjusting, but if you follow the strategies suggested above along with the regular consumption of a safe, natural fiber-based herbal weight loss supplement such as Proactol Plus, you’ll find that you can happily eat just about anywhere, no matter what phase of the diet you are on and are able to improve your health the South Beach Diet way.

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Exploring the pure vegan diet…

March 21st, 2011 By admin

Losing weight with the help of vegetarian diet

Contrary to the popular belief, a vegetarian diet can sufficiently address the basic needs and the calorie requirements of your body by means of wiser food choices and regular consumption. Studies have shown a positive link between vegetarian eating and health. In general, the incidence of some health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and high cholesterol tend to be lower in vegetarians. Speaking of weight loss in particular, a vegetarian diet is believed to exert strong anti-obesity effect due to its low-fat and less-calorie content.


Defining vegan diet: A vegan diet excludes all foods of animal origin including eggs, dairy products, fish and meat and is solely based on plants.


Composition of vegan diet

Proteins: Your protein needs can easily be met by eating a variety of beans, nuts, peas, and soy products (tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers). Build meals around protein sources that are naturally low in fat, such as beans, lentils, and rice.

Calcium: Sources of calcium for vegetarians include fortified breakfast cereals, soy products (tofu, soy-based beverages), calcium-fortified orange juice, and some dark-green leafy vegetables (collard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, mustard greens).

Iron: Fortified cereals, beans, spinach, chard, blackstrap molasses, bulgar and dried fruit are all good sources of iron. Eat these foods high in vitamin C and your body will absorb more iron. Good sources of vitamin C are orange juice, vegetable juice, greens and kiwi.

Zinc: Without meat, poultry and seafood, vegetarians may become zinc deficient. Whole grains, germ, bran, legumes (such as white or kidney beans), tofu, seeds and nuts are high in zinc.

Vitamin B12: As most vegetables do not have sufficient quantities of Vitamin B12, you need an additional reliable source of vitamin B-12. It can be found in some fortified breakfast cereals and other foods (check the labels), as well as multi vitamin supplements.

 

General tips on a vegan diet

Any type of vegetarian diet should include a wide variety of foods and enough calories to meet your energy needs. In addition, you should:

  • Keep your intake of sweets and fatty food (junk, deep fried foods) to a minimum
  • Choose whole or unrefined grain products when possible, or use fortified or enriched cereal products.
  • Use a variety of fruits and vegetable sources of vitamins A and C.
  • Limit your cholesterol intake to no more than 300 mg per day

 

Are there any limitations or drawbacks of vegetarian diet?

Many nutritionists are of the opinion that nutritional deficiencies can occur with a vegan diet and supplements of calcium and vitamin B12 are usually needed on daily basis to compensate for the same. On the other side, however, advocates of vegan diet believe that vegetarian diets can meet all the recommendations for nutrients. The key is to consume a variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs. For example, nutrients that vegetarians may need to focus on include protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12. Similarly, teens and pregnant or lactating women may need the higher number of servings from each food group to be sure they get enough nutrients.

All in all, today, vegetarian diet is considered as one of the most well-known diets among fitness and nutrition enthusiasts. However, special care needs to be taken in selecting the right vegetable food groups at the right time to get sufficient amount of various vitamins and minerals. Similarly, adding a strong weight loss supplement like Proactol Plus can both enhance and speed up the overall weight loss results of a typical, purely vegetarian diet. One of the best features of Proactol Plus is that, being a pure, herbal-veggie based organic product, it can be easily included in your daily vegan diet menu. This will not only help you lose weight faster but will also enhance the effectiveness of your original vegan diet.

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Could Green Tea Ward Off Skin Cancer?

February 4th, 2011 By admin

Asian cultures have always consumed a large amount of Green tea and have revered its healing properties for centuries. It just so happens that they have a much lower occurrence of cancer and heart disease. There are thousands of studies that have shown that Green tea is an excellent good cancer preventative and could enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Skin cancer is of particular importance. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most widespread of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While only 4% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, it causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer.

As scientists are researching ways to thwart and treat skin cancer, the results involving green tea are promising. One particular study conducted by the Alternative Medicine Review showed exceptional results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally. In this study, mice were exposed to about seven different types of carcinogens, all of which are believed to cause or contribute to skin cancer. The mice were separated into groups. Some of the groups were treated with green tea by substituting it for their drinking water. Others were treated topically with green tea extract. Some of the groups of mice were already suffering from skin cancer.

The research was conducted so that mice undergoing exposure to each different carcinogen were treated with green tea in both forms. For example, some of the mice being exposed to UVB rays were treated with only oral Green tea, while others were treated with only topical green tea extract. The research concluded that all of the mice benefited from the green tea treatment, whether it was given orally or applied topically. In every group, the Green tea was effective at preventing skin cancer. The study found that green tea applied topically annihilates skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate.

The green tea, whether given orally or applied topically, slowed down the cancer growth in the mice that were already infected. In addition, green tea given orally seemed to cause some degeneration of existing skin cancer cells. These results are very exciting. If this research is a good sign of how Green tea might work in humans, as well, then topically applied green tea may become the new trend in skin products. Moreover, these findings conclude that drinking green tea is successful in preventing and treating many forms of cancer.

The most exciting news from this study is the idea that we might all benefit dramatically from the simple step of applying a form of Green tea to our skin. And even for those already suffering with skin cancer, Green tea applied to the skin might prove to be an effective treatment to kill the cancer cells, or at least help to slow down their progression.

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Green Tea: A Healthy Alternative To Caffeine

February 3rd, 2011 By admin

Caffeine is found occurring naturally and used as an additive to several of the foods we consume throughout the day, including coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and chocolate amongst other products. We often rely on such caffeine- laden products to give us boosts of energy when we are flagging. Many of us struggle to function and get through the day without it. Caffeine is very difficult to avoid completely as mentioned previously, it does naturally occur in many foods and drinks but when consumed to excess, do you ever stop and wonder whether all that caffeine might be detrimental to your health?

Medical research has recognised that very excessive caffeine consumption, or even moderate caffeine intake in children and some individuals who are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, may cause caffeine intoxication. Caffeine intoxication symptoms consist of; restlessness, sleep disturbances irritability, nervousness, frequent urination and stomach upsets. And trying to go cold turkey can cause headaches, anxiety and even the shakes.

Studies also suggest that pregnant women, those suffering from high blood pressure, anyone with heart disease, those who have survived a stroke and the elderly should drink caffeine with extreme caution. People who suffer from anxiety disorders or who are caffeine sensitive are much more prone to side-effects. Of course, there are healthier alternatives to getting that much needed energy boost.

Green tea has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries to treat practically everything from headaches to depression. The ancient Chinese herb contains catechin polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which are antioxidants that can protect the liver from toxins and aid in its normal function. These antioxidants mop up the harmful free radicals in the body and can help protect against heart ailments, strokes, arthritis, diabetes and degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Theanine, another ingredient in Green tea has a calming effect on the human body, and is known to relieve anxiety and partially neutralize the rise in blood pressure that can occur due to caffeine intake. It is also used to treat an array of skin conditions including acne and eczema.

Green tea does contain Caffeine as with any regular tea, however the amount is so inconsequential that it is unlikely to cause any major side effects and with the vast amount of benefits demonstrated by drinking a daily cuppa of Green tea we really can’t think of any better reason to kick the habit and instead, make Green tea your drink of choice.

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How does weight loss tea work

February 3rd, 2011 By admin

Most people enjoy a cup of tea. It has many beneficial factors to your health and well being but can weight loss really be achieved by a single cup of tea?

Weight loss tea is one of the most popular products on the market today. Most will contain Green tea which is renowned to be especially effective when it comes to weight loss. Weight Loss tea contains an antioxidant called EGCG that is supposed to increase the body’s metabolism by up to 4%, act as an appetite suppressant and delay deposits of fat from developing in your body.

Weight loss tea in particular helps to ward off certain cancers and slow down the development of certain degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. It can help to improve your memory and other ailments such as itching and swelling. Other redeeming qualities of this special tea are that it is said to make your arteries stronger and is claimed it will even help you keep you looking younger for longer!

Green weight loss tea is generally recommended as a diet supplement as it drastically improves your metabolism making you burn calories even if you are not exercising. Though by itself this tea can result in weight loss, it is very common for other ingredients to be included in today’s weight loss teas. In some you may find ingredients such as Asia berry, this in particular is full of protein. Other ingredients such as; Chromium Polynicotinate and Garcinia Cambogia may also be used. This rich concentration is full of antioxidants needed to maintain your overall health and act as a helpful aid in effective weight loss. These weight loss teas are used in the prevention of bladder, breast, lung, skin and prostrate cancers amongst others.

Clinical trials and studies have shown that regular intake of tea is very conducive to desirable weight loss. The tea enables your body to burn calories at a quick rate giving your metabolism a boost at the same time. It can encourage regular disposal of waste and an improved digestive system. This is very good in maintaining a crystal clear complexion. Weight loss tea is very advantageous in that it controls blood sugar level. If your blood sugar is high it can make you feel very hungry and you will have the urge to eat more food more regularly. This craving can be curbed by regularly drinking weight loss tea.

Many people include weight loss tea in their diet to help with just that whilst they are trying to lose weight. These teas can be consumed in various different forms, such as tea bags, fresh leaves or supplements; they are all effective in weight loss. Drinking weight loss tea after every meal aids your digestion and metabolism. They can also be used in conjunction with a sensible weight loss program as long as it is balanced including a varied healthy diet and moderate exercise.

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