Monday, November 19, 2012

Mushrooms - The Superb Fungi For Weight Loss and Good Health


To some people, mushrooms may not be appetizing but to a great majority, these are magical foods that are loaded with health benefits, including weight losing properties. For many centuries, mushrooms had been used for both food and medicinal purposes. There had been confusion because there are people who classify mushroom as vegetables and there are those who think of it as herb. But the truth is, mushroom is a kind of fungi.


In the past, people love to pick the mushrooms in the woods. The species are very numerous but only a few kinds are edible and still a fewer kinds are medicinal. And you should not forget that there are very poisonous variants. This makes mushroom identification to be a daunting task. They can vary in color, shape and size. Today, the mushroom becomes safer to eat and use - you do not have to pick them, they are available in farm markets and supermarkets.

Mushrooms have versatile flavor and they are used in a wide variety of dishes such as pasta, salads and soups. They can blend very well with any ingredient. People who are very well conscious of their weights can include mushroom in their daily diet. These are filling nutritious foods that contain very few calories. The low calories in a cup of button or Portobello mushroom make them a low fat-burning food.

Mushrooms may be simple fungi but knowing their nutrition facts and health benefits will make you fill your refrigerator chiller with different species of mushrooms. If you want to lose weight, this is the best food. As they contain plenty of water, around 80%, mushrooms contain low calories. This makes this food very ideal for people undergoing weight management programs. Mushrooms are also beneficial to people experiencing elevated blood pressure. These contain a good amount of potassium, a mineral that is very helpful in bringing down your blood pressure. They contain little sodium and fat hence this is a good diet for hypertensive people.

Another factor to take note of is the fact that mushrooms are fat-free. These are free of cholesterol making them very good for your heart. This is an excellent source of copper, a mineral that provides protection to your cardiovascular system

Learning more about the nutrition facts in this fungi will further disclose the efficacy of mushrooms for your weight lose regimen and good health condition. Mushrooms are essential sources of riboflavin, niacin and selenium. Selenium is a protective nutrient, especially to men. Selenium is an anti-oxidant containing Vitamin E that cuts down the risk of prostate cancer. Other nutrients from these fungi are Vitamins C, B-6 and B-12 which are very essential in boosting your immune system.

What is very noteworthy about mushroom is that all edible mushrooms share the same properties. All are beneficial to losing weight, fat-burning and keeping illness at bay.

Some Liquid Diet Recipes


You can go on a liquid diet for many reasons. It may be for shedding some weight or detoxifying your body, because of functional problems in your digestive system such as difficulty in digesting solid food, etc. You may sometimes be advised to go on a liquid diet before or after a surgery. Liquid diets are not limited to clear soups, milk and water; fruit juices and punches and milk shakes can also be included. Lime juice by itself is considered to be a liquid diet recipe because of the many health benefits that it provides. Honey adds flavor and taste. Even smooth ice creams, yogurts and gelatin can be added to your diets to make it more exciting. Soups can include both chicken and vegetable soups.


However, you should plan your liquid diet such that you get all the necessary nutrients that your body requires. For breakfast, milk and fresh fruit juices are ideal. Meat or chicken soup may be good for lunch and dinner. Smooth ice creams, yogurts, jellies, etc. can be had as desserts. In between meals, you can have lime juice with honey or even fruit punches.

Liquid Diet Recipe for Lunch or Dinner - The Caffeinated Banana

This tasty drink will keep you going till your next meal or snack.

Ingredients

Low fat milk - one glass Whole banana - one teaspoon Granulated coffee - half a teaspoon Brown sugar or Stevia -

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients in a blender to a liquid consistency and serve.

Liquid Diet Recipe for Weight Loss - Asian Mix Soup

It takes less than an hour to prepare the soup.

Ingredients

Chicken broth - 2 cups Peanut oil - 1 table spoon Fresh ginger chopped - quarter cup Soy sauce - half a cup Rice wine vinegar - quarter cup Brown sugar - 2 table spoons Corn starch - half a cup Cut firm tofu - 10 ounces Straw mushrooms - 8 ounces Drained bamboo shoots - 8 ounces Red pepper flakes - 1 tea spoon Mixed vegetables - 32 ounces Spinach - 10 ounces Chopped cilantro - quarter cup

Preparation

Cook ginger, peanut oil for 3 to 4 min on medium heat. Mix 1 cup of broth with cornstarch and transfer it to the pot. Add tofu, sugar, bamboo shoots, broth, mushrooms, soy sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes and boil to a thick consistency. Add the remaining ingredients except spinach. Add spinach after 10 minutes and keep the soup on the stove for about 1 to 2 minutes.

Liquid Diet Recipe for Breakfast, After Surgery, etc. - Fruit and Bran Juice

Ingredients

Apple - one Orange - one Bran flakes - half a cup Plain yogurt - half a cup Wheat germs - A small amount of other fruits can also be added according to your preference.

Preparation

Mix the ingredients with water in a blender. Serve the juice in tall glasses. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare fruit and bran juice.

Apples - four numbers Water - five cups Stevia - 4 sachets Cinnamon - one teaspoon Optionally, you can add pumpkin seeds and coves

Preparation

Place sliced apples in a sauce pan and add water, stevia, cinnamon and any other spice of your choice. Simmer for 30-40 minutes till the apples become soft. The apples and cider can be served hot as fruit and liquid desserts.

Healthy liquid diet promotes smooth functioning of your body systems. By carefully designing your liquid diet plan to include calories, proteins and fiber, you can easily manage hunger.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

What Is the Difference Between Centrifugal and Masticating Juicers?


Juicing has risen in popularity in recent years with an increase in concern over health. Drinking fruit or vegetable juice is a great and convenient way of increasing your nutrient intake. Juice can be part of a weight loss diet and it also claimed by many people that it helps to combat a large range of diseases and health conditions.


For those new to juicing buying a juicer can be a highly daunting process with such a vast array of models available. What you will quickly see is that in the main, juicers fall into two varieties; centrifugal juicers and masticating juicers.

Let's look first at centrifugal juicers. One of the first things that you will notice is that they are considerably cheaper which always has to be a consideration. With some centrifugal juicers you need to chop your fruit first before processing. However, more recently there has been a rise in popularity of whole fruit juicers which allow you to add the whole fruit without any chopping or peeling beforehand.

Once added the fruit is sliced with a flat cutting blade. It is then spun at high speed to separate the juice from the pulp - that's the centrifugal bit. The higher speed the juicer operates the more juice it is able to extract. An unfortunate side effect of this process is that the juice can become warm and air is introduced into it. Both of these can cause a loss of vitamins and will not keep as long.

Masticating juicers work in a very different way. These have a single screw type mechanism (known as an auger) which crush the fruit and vegetables into small pieces before squeezing out the juice. This type can juice from a wider range of produce including leafy greens and wheatgrass. Typically the juice yield is much higher than centrifugal juicers and there does not tend to be the same loss of nutrients. The downside of these models is that are generally more expensive.

So which should you choose? Well that rather depends on what your priorities are. If cost is the most important factor for you, then you should choose a centrifugal juicer. However, if you want the maximum amount of juice from a wide range of fruit and vegetables without loss of nutrients then a masticating juicer is the way to go. Whichever you choose, introducing juicing into your life will improve your diet.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Greek Yogurt and Your Digestion


Wait... Greek Yogurt can help with my digestion? Yes!


The digestive health benefits in Greek yogurt are amazing. So much so that major universities are now starting to thoroughly study its effects. Many people have had positive results and you can find online great reviews from both doctors and people alike. In fact, there are a lot of doctors that tell their patients with bowel problems to, yep -- EAT MORE YOGURT!

Greek yogurt contains millions of live bacteria or rather probiotics that may essentially up the number of antibodies in your digestive track. This boost works at heightening your reaction to infections and that may form and are caused by bad bacteria. All yogurts are not the same however as regular yogurt has live microorganisms in it as well. The major difference between Greek yogurt vs plain yogurt is Greek yogurt is hardly processed and not treated with heat- It's almost in a raw form. This difference in processing provides yogurt lovers with maximal healthy bacteria such as acidophilus and lactobacillus. These have been said to improve intestinal well being, leading to a regularly functional colon.

Probiotics in recent times, have not fully received the proper attention or have been put through many in depth studies despite the obvious benefit on the digestive system. Regardless, many professionals in the medical field have studied reviews on probiotics and their positive effects. Due to this, they continue to prescribe products like Greek yogurt to their patients. A fun little fact: It's a healthy and natural way to improve the intestinal wall lining which can become damaged over time with poor eating habits.

Although probiotics are live bacteria normally found in the gut, consuming outside products with these bacteria can aid those who's body may not properly be producing naturally inside them. This can help to prevent inflammation as well as those ailed with the dreaded IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). These bacteria helps to digest food, create vitamins in the body, and keep our digestive tracts running smoothly! They can assist in treating symptoms of gas, bloating, or irregularity as well. The effects of this boost in live bacteria shows different results in different people however. It is something worth trying but I wouldn't recommend consuming yogurt thinking it will be a cure all. It may improve your digestion or symptoms of a gut problem, but it will not cure anything (or so some doctors say).

To help get the best out of your Greek yogurt, try eating it with other foods high in prebiotics. Incorporating these into your diet will give you great health benefits. Prebiotics help the probiotics thrive inside the body; they are nutrients that make probiotics more capable of fighting off disease. Great sources are: kiwis, oatmeal, onions, berries, bananas and other fruits, as well as legumes. Combine any of these ingredients into your daily diet along with a serving of Greek yogurt and you are almost sure to have a regular digestive system.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Healthy Foods


WHOLE FOODS

Whole foods have many benefits over processed foods. Processed foods are typically loaded with artificial additives, sugar and salt. In addition, the processing usually strips them of many of the vitamins and minerals essential for good health.

Avoid: White Pasta

Choose: Brown pasta, wholegrain pasta, wheat free pasta, gluten free pasta.

Avoid: White flour and bread

Choose: Whole meal bread and flour, oatcakes, rice cakes, pumpernickel.

Avoid: White rice

Choose: Brown rice, millet, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, couscous, oats.

Avoid: Sugar sweets, cakes, biscuits.

Choose: Fruit - either natural or dried.

All processed meals should be avoided. Instead, cook meals using fresh natural ingredients (organic where possible).

DAIRY

Eating dairy is positively implicated in weight loss. In addition, dairy has been shown to help remove fat from your digestive system. However, many dairy foods are also high in fat - the key is therefore to choose low fat dairy products. Good choices include skimmed (non-fat) milk, low fat cheese, live organic yogurt, soya cheese, and tofu. Watch out also for high sugar levels in most brand named yogurts.

MEAT AND FISH

It has been known that a high consumption of red meat has been linked to various diseases, and many cuts are also high in saturated fat. It is therefore important to limit your intake of red meat. However, fresh fish contains high levels of essential fatty acids, which have been shown to protect against many diseases, including heart disease. You should integrate white meats and fish, especially herrings, mackerel, salmon and sardines into your diet as best you can.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fresh fruit and vegetables are low in calories and high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and water, and should therefore form a large part of your diet. In addition, raw foods have been shown to improve energy, vitality and well being.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

These are required by the body for optimum health. They are found in cold pressed oils, (safflower, walnut, olive and sunflower), nuts, seeds, avocados and fish oils. It is recommended that you avoid processed oils and margarine, especially hydrogenated oils.

See my article on "Good Fats and Bad Fats" for more information.

DRINKS

Maintaining a good level of hydration is vital. The best choice is water, mineral water, herbal teas, and diluted fruit juices. Popular drinks such as tea, coffee and soda all contain additives such as sugar and caffeine and are best used in moderation.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Diet Soda Dangers: Is It True Diet Soda Can Be Dangerous?


Sugar-Free Soda Dangers Were Unknown 50 Years Ago

I grew up drinking soft drinks. They were easy to transport and our major source of liquids on hot, summery Northern California days. My grandparents allowed my mother to drink a soda right before bed and now my mom suffers from obesity and severe tooth damage. We weren't allowed to drink soft drinks before bed (thank goodness!), but I don't remember much restriction. As a teenager, I never had any problems with my weight, but I have had a lot of dental work.

As I aged weight definitely became more of an issue and sodas are an everyday part of life, so I thought.
There is a lot of research on overweight and obese people consuming soda. Research has also shown that drinking soda with artificial sweeteners can affect how you perceive calories and within a day you may ingest more calories than if you drank regular soda. Sadly, my mom drinks diet soda daily and she is in this category.

Two Studies Showing Diet Soda Dangers

A study presented to the American Diabetes Association shows that drinking sugar-free soda is associated with a wider waist in humans. A second study shows that an artificial sweetener in diet soda actually raises blood sugar in mice prone to diabetes.

In the first study, the height, weight, waist measurement and diet soda consumption was measured for elderly people in San Antonio. After 9 1/2 years, the diet soda drinkers had a waist measurement 70% greater than the regular soda drinkers. And people who drank the most diet soda, at least 2 cans a day, had waist measurements 500% greater than those who didn't drink any diet soda.

The mice didn't fare any better in the second study. After 3 months of adding aspartame to the diabetes-prone mice, they had higher glucose-blood readings than the mice not fed aspartame.

Aspartame, a Component of Diet Soda Dangers

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by a scientist trying to make a new ulcer drug, and approved in 1981 for use as a sweetener. Aspartame is 160 - 200 times sweeter than sugar. Dr. Robert Walton surveyed the studies of aspartame. He states that of the 166 relevant studies, 74 had aspartame related funding and 92 were independently funded. One hundred percent of the research performed by the company who makes aspartame confirmed aspartame's safety, whereas 92% of the independently funded research found problems with consuming aspartame. H.J. Roberts, MD, reports that by 1998, aspartame products were the cause of 80% of complaints to the FDA about food additives. Some of these symptoms include headache, dizziness, cramps, seizures, memory loss, and fatigue. While the FDA has assured us that the research does not show any adverse health complications from aspartame, there are studies to the contrary.

Another Component In Diet Soda Dangers

Another problem is the possibility of leaching calcium from the bones due to the carbonation in sodas. A rise in calcium deficiencies and bone fractures has been linked to soft drink consumption in girls and leaves them at risk for broken bones and osteoporosis later in life. Phosphoric acid can link to calcium and magnesium, reports Arizona Advanced Medicine, depleting these vital minerals.

It's a three step process: *

1. The carbonation irritates the stomach. 
2. The stomach "fixes" the irritation with calcium (an antacid) 
3. The blood pulls calcium from the bone to replenish calcium levels.

Diet Soda Dangers, Really Are Bad For You

If you can't stop drinking diet soda altogether, try small changes. Quit drinking diet sodas for 3 days, then a week.

Drink lots of water. Take your weight and divide by 2. The result is the amount of water you should be drinking every day. If you are 180 pounds, you would drink 90 ounces of water daily. If you are not used to drinking plain water, you could add a squeeze of fresh lemon for flavor.

Realize that sodas are addictive. Check the ingredient list in jams, salad dressings, yogurt, breath mints for aspartame or other artificial sweeteners. Minimize the portion size or completely omit those foods. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables instead. After a month of eliminating sodas and artificial sweeteners you should be feeling better and find it easy to resist their attraction. Definitely, Diet Sodas are dangerous and harmful to your health.

* Mind Connection - Dr. Mercola

Cynthia Simmons is a Weight Management Consultant. She recently found a wonderful solution to her long term weight problem. She has personally helped many people manage their weight loss safely without drugs or being hungry. Her long-term goal is to build a team of happy, healthy people to share this life-saving information with others suffering from the same weight problems she had.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Good Low Carb Foods


Many people don't begin a low carb diet, or don't stay with it, simply because they can't find tasty choices that are also low in carbohydrates. Actually, there are many foods that can be used for meals, in recipes or for snacks, when you're trying to maintain a diet that is low in carbs. Consuming a variety of foods that are naturally low in carbohydrates will allow you to eat a healthy diet that's tasty and also good for you.


Everyone is unique, and the same foods won't work for everyone, but there are foods that are very popular on low carb diets, and you can tailor your recipes to suit your tastes. Fish is a popular staple on low carb diets. But you don't need to restrict yourself to just the well-known types. There are many good low carbohydrate foods, and fresh fish are a healthy part of your low carb diet that you should eat at least several times a week. The best fish for your diet may include orange roughy, Alaskan halibut, trout, wild caught salmon, sea bass, cod and mackerel. Shellfish are healthy low carb choices that are full of taste, too. They include scallops, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams and lobster.

Eggs and egg whites can be included as breakfast essentials or as ingredients in other meals. Free range eggs are often preferred in low carb diets. You're not limited to chicken eggs, either. You might wish to try quail or duck eggs, to keep your diet alive and different from one day to the next.

Red meat is an important staple in low carbohydrate diets, because it allows you to get enough protein for a healthy diet. Lamb is a good choice, as is venison or deer meat. Cattle that have been grass-fed will be a positive choice, as will buffalo or bison meat, as long as the animals were not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

Poultry can be included in many low carbohydrate recipes, to make them tasty. Consume only poultry that was never treated with antibiotics or hormones. Some of the most popular poultry choices are chicken, duck, goose and turkey. Wild bird meat is also on the list of good low carb foods that provide quality low carbohydrate recipe mainstays, so add pheasant, wild turkey and quail to your list.

You should include vegetables and fruits in any diet, too, so that you reap the rewards of their many vitamins and nutrients. Vegetables that are not starchy are the best for your diet, including collard greens and spinach. Good tasting vegetables to use for recipes and healthy snacks or salads include Romaine lettuce, cauliflower, asparagus, cucumbers, mushrooms, turnip greens and celery. You can also add cabbage, zucchini, cilantro and mustard greens. Vegetable leaves and stems can help you to prepare healthy salads that are low in carbohydrates.

Fresh fruits are good choices, as parts of recipes or as snacks. Include fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and deduct any carb count from your allowance for each day. These do contain sugar and carbs, so they should be enjoyed sparingly.

Oils add omega fatty acids to your diet, so use them as desired in your recipes. Some of the best choices are extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed and canola oils. By using all these different good low carb foods, you can add good taste to your low carb, heart healthy diet.