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.