Healthy Snacks
The present world is filled with people who are aware of the importance of maintaining good health. To achieve that objective, they look around for food choices or alternatives that will be most beneficial for the body. If you have a sweet tooth and cannot resist sweets, you can go for simple low fat drinks while dining out with family or friends.
Smoothies are a nutritious alternative to other high calorie sugary drinks that are harmful for your weight loss program. Smoothies are usually made out of fruits, vegetables and milk that are blended together. There are many low fat smoothies that you are readily available in supermarkets.
Hawaian silk smoothie: is made by blending soy milk, pineapple juice, banana, maple syrup, coconut milk and ice cubes.
Banana oatmeal smoothie: is a concoction of oatmeal, banana, orange juice and low-fat milk.
Kitchen sink smoothie: contains bananas, orange, apple, fresh pineapple, kiwis, blueberries, strawberries, cranberry juice, low-fat yogurt and condensed milk.
Wheatgrass smoothie: is a blend of orange, apple, strawberry, wheatgrass and water.
Wheat germ smoothie: in made by blending banana, non-fat yogurt, fresh orange juice, wheat germ and fresh peaches.
Lime smoothie: has a refreshing mix of lime, low-fat milk, low-fat sherbet and raspberries.
Blueberry smoothie: is made by adding blueberries, low-fat yogurt, skimmed milk and honey.
These simple low-fat drinks are ideal to have while dining out and will not hinder your weight loss goals.
With Christmas gone and New Year’s here, this holiday season with family and friends is a test in your self control as well, when you feast your eyes on an array of delicious food at parties and family gatherings. Holiday season is usually a leap back on your weight loss plans. However, it is possible to enjoy your holidays with foods you love, if you know what weight loss foods to eat around the holidays.
Whole wheat, extra fiber bread is a best weight loss food. You can make various kinds of sandwiches that are fat-free or low-fat.
Chicken is another weight loss food that is high in protein. However, chicken should be eaten grilled, baked or steamed, as opposed to deep fried or coated with refined flour. Use it in soups, salads or sandwiches.
Egg is also a rich source of protein and nutritious too. Eat eggs, poached or broiled in salads, sandwiches or with cooked brown rice, instead of frying them or eating them scrambled with lots of cheese.
Vegetables, of course, are excellent for weight loss. Eat them raw in salads or cooked in pizzas, soups, stews or curries. Green leafy veggies, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, beets and lettuce are some weight loss foods to eat around the holidays.
Non-vegetarians can get their protein from fish, meat and eggs but where can vegans get their protein foods and what are proteins needed for?
Proteins are builder blocks of our body. They are made up of a sequence of amino acids and are necessary for structuring, functioning and regulating the organs and tissues of your body.
Traditional and very healthy proteins are found in organic beef, chickens, turkey, cold water fishes like salmon and tuna, rich in omega 3 and eggs.
Some top quality vegan foods rich in protein are bee pollen, wheatgrass, sprouts, algae like chlorella, spirulina and E3 Live are high in nutritive value as well.
Other vegan sources are sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, lentils, beans, buckwheat and nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans and walnuts.
To increase the nutrients and enzymes in seeds and grains, soak and sprout them just a little bit. Make sure you shop for certified organic grown food that is not sprayed with chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Protein rich food is vital for increasing your energy, stamina, concentration, immunity against diseases, better functioning of the brain, help in weight loss, regulate bowel movements and better growth of hair, nails and skin. Start on a protein diet today
High Protein Foods (Slideshow)
Follow the link below for a full article on high protein foods which includes an extended list of protein rich foods, health information, and warnings: www.healthaliciousness.com Protein is a macro nutrient composed of amino acids and necessary for proper growth and function of the human body. While the body can manufacture several amino acids required for protein production, it also needs to obtain protein from animal and vegetable sources. There is considerable debate over the amount of protein a person needs to consume in any given day, the current recommended daily intake(RDI) of protein is 46 grams for women aged 19–70 and 56 grams for men aged 19–70. Any excess protein consumed is turned into energy by the body, and it is controversial whether this excess protein causes a strain on the liver. A deficiency in protein leads to muscle atrophy, and impaired functioning of the human body in general. This is a slideshow of high protein foods intended for everyday consumers, not body builders, and therefore does not contain protein isolates. Photo Credits: Cheese: julesjulesjules m www.flickr.com Beans: marc kjerland www.flickr.com Beef: Minimalist Photography www.flickr.com Pumpkin Seeds: HealthAliciousNess www.healthaliciousness.com http Chicken: jameelwinter www.flickr.com Fish: pelican www.flickr.com Caviar: The Evilist Monkey www.flickr.com Yeast Extract Spread David Haruk www.flickr.com Crab: rick www.flickr.com Peanuts little blue hen www.flickr.com Music: Opus …
There are many weight loss supplements on the market but they are not as effective or as safe as green tea. Green tea helps in healthy weight loss. The catechins found in green tea inhibit the absorption of fat and regulates blood sugar and insulin.
Green tea helps prevent Parkinson, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, brain cell deterioration, cholesterol, triglycerides and excess weight. Green tea is a good source of anti oxidants which is beneficial in neutralizing free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause harmful oxidation that can damage your body cells and DNA, if neglected.
Green tea contains important components such as caffeine, theanine and polyphenols which improves your body metabolic rate and oxidizes fat. Regular consumption of green tea reduces appetite. It also increases your level of endurance to exercise more and thus burn more calories.
Hypothyroidism slows down the metabolic rate and cause weight gain but green tea helps boost metabolism and can be very helpful.
When preparing a cup of green tea, use a teabag and dip it for 10 minutes at least for better infusion of polyphenols. In green tea and weight loss, it is to your benefit to drink at least four to five cups of green tea every day in order to get optimum benefits from it. Look for a reputable brand at any health store and start right away.
Green4Tea – Make Your Own Green Tea
Lose Weight, Cure & Prevent Many Diseases!!
A healthy pregnancy diet is necessary for the delicate life you are carrying. Keep yourself well informed on some basic requirements in your diet.
There is a general misconception that a pregnant woman can eat any amount of anything to sustain the needs of ‘two’. But the reality is that pregnant women should not eat more than 350 calories a day, over and above their normal consumption.
Processed foods and diet colas are high in sodium can cause swelling. Drinking large amounts of barley water will reduce swelling or bloating from normal pregnancy or toxemia. Water will keep your body well hydrated and prevent pre-term labor.
Eat whole grains, fruits and multi colored vegetables. Dark vegetables especially deep green vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Include plenty of fiber to facilitate smooth bowel movements. Switch to eating many small meals in a day in order to restore sufficient nutrition level for you and your baby.
Protein must be a vital component of your diet during pregnancy. They are needed for your baby’s physical growth and development of the placenta. A minimum of 90 to 100 grams of protein should be taken every day. Chicken, milk, yogurt, cheese, nuts, beans, eggs and fish are rich in protein.
Fulfill your body’s food cravings but do not go overboard. A balanced and healthy pregnancy diet will provide all the nutrition you and your baby needs.
Here are some easy ways of adding fiber to your diet, as they help lose weight. If you are not used to eating fiber, add it gradually to your food and check out how it helps in losing weight.
Fiber is of two types, namely, water soluble fiber and water insoluble fiber.
Potatoes, beans, dried peas, apples, citrus fruits and oat bran are rich sources of soluble fiber. They lower bad (LDL) cholesterol and regulate blood sugar as well.
Whole grain breads, whole wheat and wheat bran, carrots, beets, radish, broccoli, pears and asparagus are good sources of insoluble fiber and help in the smooth excretion of food through the intestines and prevent colon cancer.
Make a side dish of cooked beans mixed with peas, spinach, cooked whole grains and lentils with your lunch or dinner daily.
Out of the dozens of cereals available in supermarkets, choose one that has at least 3 to 5 grams of fiber in each serving.
Swap your salty or sugary snacks for fruits with high fiber content like apples, pears, bananas, strawberries and figs. They would be a great combo with salads and cereals or a meal by itself.
Brown rice is rich in fiber than white rice and is better flavored too and easily available at an Asian supermarket.
Adding veggies to everything you make like omelets, pizzas or eating them raw would be a great way to add fiber to your diet.