Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Healthy Lifestyle Choices Do Not Come Naturally - They Are Learned

By Carolyn Hansen

It is not easy eating right and taking care of our bodies and health in today's society. In fact, it is darn near impossible for some people. Learning how to eat healthy - in a way that will keep us vibrant for years - is not something that is ever taught school. Even if we are taught by our parents, we often blow it off as we do much of the information they give us. However, eating right is the most important step one can take in their lives.

Like everything else in life, learning to live a healthy lifestyle takes time and education. The best education, especially in this scenario, is via your on research and common sense. It also takes significant discipline - at first - until you get the hang of it. After a while your new healthy choices become second nature and it is like you have lived your entire life making smarter health decisions. Don't take this to mean that you should diet, in fact, it is just the opposite. You need to learn what is right and wrong for your body and stick with those choices. Dieting, in the sense of cutting calories, is not the right decision.

If you do it right you can still have your favorite desert here and there. See, there is a rule about healthy living - 80/20. This means if you make healthy choices 80% of the time, you can enjoy your favorite snack or some time on the couch 20% of the time. So, the first step to healthy living is to rid your house and grocery list of processed, sugary, non-organic foods. These foods are contaminated with chemicals that poison your body.

Even if you eat the right number of calories, these toxins will stop your body from functioning properly. This is why it is extremely important to steer clear of these chemicals/toxins. By simply clearing your plate of these foods you will find yourself losing weight; healthy weight. The hard part, to most, is in knowing what to eat when they hear this.

A good rule of thumb is that you can eat anything that you, yourself, could eat without supermarkets, fast food chains, and restaurants. These foods are known as "clean" foods. They are clean because they can be found in nature and because they are not covered in pesticides or fed unnatural food items. If you cannot get these items in the organic matter, you will still be healthier; but if you can get them in organic form all the better.

Start small; replace one meal at a time. Rather than eating pop-tarts for breakfast have an egg, half an English muffin, and some fresh squeezed orange juice. Work your way up to replacing each meal with a smarter, cleaner food option. Focus on portion control and make sure you stop eating when you are full. Implement 2-3 snacks a day; make sure these snacks are clean choices like yogurt and granola or avocado slices. Knowing what to eat is often what discourages people but don't let it; if you stick with the produce, meat, and dairy aisles and you will head down the right path and be all the healthier for it.

Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body, regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth - Let Me Show You Too!" http://www.over50looking30.com

Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who in her nearly 30 years of fitness and bodybuilding competition experience she has helped thousands of people start their journey towards losing weight, becoming strong, fit and youthful at any age.

Sign up for her free newsletter on Weight Loss Tips http://FitnessWeightloss.com and get her free report "Discover 'Secrets' That Most People Will Never Know About To Really Lose Weight".

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Monday, May 30, 2011

A Few Alternatives to Unhealthy Foods

By Joe Cheok

The standard grocery list that most people prepare every week for shopping does not always contain the proper amount of healthy dietaries. Nowadays, millions of Americans are worried about their bad eating habits and its consequences on their future health. Most of these people are wondering if there are alternatives to unhealthy foods that they are buying all the time.

The answer is yes. There are a few great alternatives to the unhealthy foods in your grocery list. The most probable reason that they landed in your list is that they are more delicious. You just love eating them despite their adverse effects on your health.

Below are some alternatives to the unhealthy foods that you can add to your standard grocery list.

There are some people who cannot even think about cutting back on their daily beef and pork consumption. However, some wonderful alternatives to these unhealthy and fat-laden foods are available. Turkey is the alternative that you can use almost anywhere, with anything. Whether you like to have bacon, burger or just a plain slice of meat, turkey can come handy in all these situations. Turkey is much healthier compared to other meats. If it is seasoned well enough, it can also match the taste of beef and pork, of course, to some extent. If you think that you have the courage to quit meat altogether, you can go for tofu which is a substitute for meat. You can also try out an extra-large veggie burger as an alternative to the unhealthy beef burger.

Try picking a wheat bread with whole grain instead of buying white bread every time you go to the supermarket. The white bread's texture is even, whereas wheat bread's texture is more natural. It also has a natural rugged flavor. Wheat bread is a better alternative to the unhealthy white bread since it is good for your digestive and circulatory systems. Next time you go shopping; keep an eye open for the bread that has a 'whole grain' label on its packet.

Everyone likes nachos! However, people who are worried about their health and are always striving to find alternatives to unhealthy foods, go for salsa rather than a sluggish cheese dip. Salsa is much tastier, and it adds to your vegetable intake too.

Consuming lesser amounts of sodium is a great idea. But there is a problem. Sodium is found in just about everything, including sauces and salt. Next time you go for shopping, be sure to visit the section pertaining to herbs and spices. There are lots of spices available in that section. Select something that does not contain lots of sodium.

The adverse effects of constant soda are pretty well-known by now. Instead of soda, try out some fresh and nice juices. They are fresh and healthy, and they save you from the negative effects of consuming too much soda.

Vegetables and fruits have always been a staple of healthy food snacks. When you feel like having snacks during the day, eat an orange or an apple. They can serve as great alternatives to unhealthy junk foods. Green fruits are low in calories. Generally, minerals and vitamins when combined with other nutritional aspects of vegetables and fruits make an undeniable alternative to the unhealthy food that we consume daily only for its flavor.

If you are a regular follower of The Diet Solution program, then you must know that a healthy diet is the building block of a healthy life. Click on this link, if you want to learn how the Diet Solution program has been helping people to eat better and transform their lives.

Joe Cheok

Weight loss is 70 percent to 30 percent battle - 70 percent of your weight depends on your diet and the remaining 30 percent depends on exercise. Is about changing your lifestyle, making changes in a small way every day. Start straight away to lose weight, get in shape and keep a great body for the rest of your life by visiting http://isabeldietsolution.com.

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Friday, May 27, 2011

7 Tremendous Foods to Lower Cholesterol Level

By Teresa Faulkner

People who have high cholesterol are very concerned about this fact. Today's lifestyle is very different from the lifestyle from before. At present, people prefer to consume foods that are readily available even though the foods are not nutritious. The foods are high in fat and salt content and this could lead to increased cholesterol levels.

You must reduce the consumption of foods high in saturated fat and exercise on a daily basis. If you would like to improve your state of health, consume foods that lower cholesterol. Here is a list of various foods that you can mix and match that will help to lower your cholesterol.

1. SALMON

Salmon contains proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids that are beneficial for individuals who have cardiovascular problems. Experts say people should have at least two servings per week of fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, tuna, anchovies, sardines and herring.

2. BROWN RICE

Brown rice contains an oil that will help with reducing the cholesterol level. Because it is made up of whole grain, it supplies Vitamin B, magnesium and most importantly, fiber to lower cholesterol. If you would like a high protein meal that is low in saturated fat, simply add beans to it.

3. GRAPES

Grapes have a high level of antioxidants that will prevent damage caused by free radicals. It also aids in the blood clotting process because it reduces platelet clumping. Grapes contain flavonoids that help to reduce the cholesterol in the body.

4. GARLIC

Garlic helps to fight fungi and bacteria because it contains a substance called Allicin. It also aids in improving the digestive process but the most beneficial effect of garlic is to lower the cholesterol level in the body especially when it is consumed uncooked.

5. OATS

Oats are rich in soluble fiber that facilitates the elimination of LDL or bad cholesterol. Increasing your daily intake of foods that lower cholesterol like oatmeal will trim down your cholesterol.

6. WALNUTS

Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids that significantly decrease serum cholesterol. They also help make blood vessels healthy and resilient to damage. Consuming a handful of walnuts daily could reduce your cholesterol level up to 12 percent.

7. TOMATOES

Very few people know that tomatoes can reduce your cholesterol level. Tomatoes increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. They contain lycopene that is beneficial for the body.

Aside from these foods that lower your cholesterol level, supplements are also recommended. Supplements may help you to decrease your cholesterol level at an early stage before it leads to other health problems. You can resume your healthy life if you eat healthy food, exercise and add supplements to your daily lifestyle. This information will guide you in reducing cholesterol levels and becoming healthy again.

Want to learn more about lower cholesterol foods? Visit my website at ==> www.tipsforlowercholesterol.com.

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Healthy Snacks - On The Cheap!

By Betsy McGuire

It happened again--yet another headline this week insinuating that only the wealthy can afford to eat healthy. This just drives me crazy! Obviously, some health foods are going to be more expensive then their unhealthy counterparts, but I resent when the media puts out these types of articles. It tends to put the idea in people's heads that they shouldn't even bother to try to eat healthy--it's just too expensive. So not true!!! and an extra! because I really mean this. Everyone can afford to eat healthy. All it takes is some creativity and a little research. Snacking is a great way to add wonderful nutrition to your day, and it doesn't need to be expensive. A bag of unhealthy chips most people eat in one or two servings is going to run you more than some very nutritious alternatives.

To prove my point, I've figured out the cost of 12 healthy snacks per serving. For almost all, I looked at my local grocery store without using coupons or looking for sales. Serving sizes were simply used from the packages. For the granola and nuts, it's much cheaper to find a store that offers these items in bulk. If your regular grocery store doesn't offer them, go to your local health food store to find grains and nuts in bulk bins.

I have to admit, the results even surprised me. I list them here from most expensive to cheapest:

12. Greek yogurt with ¼ cup fiber one cereal--$1.29

11. low-fat cottage cheese with ¼ cup raspberries (from frozen)--$1.05

10. pear with a stick of low-fat string cheese--$1.03

9. celery with almond butter--92¢

8. apple with natural peanut butter--81¢

7. baby carrots with hummus--77¢

6. whole grain wheat crackers topped with lowfat cream cheese and halved grapes--73¢

5. whole grain wheat crackers sprinkled with lowfat cheese (microwave to melt)--68 ¢

4. handful of raw almonds--60¢

3. homemade trail mix (I used 1 lb granola with flax and hemp seeds, ¾ lb unsalted roasted peanuts, and 1 bag Ghirardelli 60% cacao baking chips). It made 21 (½ cup) servings--46¢

2. banana slices sprinkled with cocoa powder--31¢

and the star of the show -

1. popcorn popped in a paper bag in the microwave (3 cups popped)--5¢ (feel free to add a couple of cents for the paper bag and your favorite seasoning that you may sprinkle on the popped corn)

http://www.chickpeawellness.com

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Monday, May 23, 2011

Great Weight Loss Breakfast Foods

By Bryant Duncan

If your goal is to lose weight, eating breakfast is one of the most important steps you can take to reach it. You need about 500 to 600 calories, 20 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. And the meals need to be packed with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. I know 500 may seem like a lot of calories for someone that is trying to cut back on them, but a hearty breakfast can jump start you in the morning and actually SPEED UP your metabolism. Yea yea, I know the excuses; I just don't have the time. Try prepping your meal the night before. It may take a few extra minutes every night but the end result is worth it. Eating right in the morning does take some time, but here are some quick meal ideas that could get you going in the morning.

The easiest meal you that's perfect on the go:

1 pint of fat free milk

1 apple

1 bran Vita muffin

Peanut butter (the Skippy Squeeze Sticks if you're in a hurry)

Just dip the apple in the peanut butter or squeeze it on as you eat it.

Nutritional benefits: Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E.

500 calories, 20 grams of protein, 87 grams of carbs, and 15 grams of fiber

This one takes a little more preparation but it's a great nutritional breakfast:

Black-Cherry Smoothie and Peanut-Butter Oatmeal

1 c R.W. Knudsen black-cherry juice

1 c frozen strawberries

1 c frozen unsweetened cherries

2 Tbsp protein powder

2/3 c oatmeal

1 Tbsp peanut butter

1/2 c fat-free milk

It takes roughly around 5 minutes to prepare and is full of the proper nutrients for the day.

It has around 600 calories, 27 grams of protein, 100 g carbohydrates, 11 g fat, and 10 g fiber

Blueberry protein shake

It sounds a little weird but it's pretty good.

Soy protein is ideal, but whey will work good too.

1 scoop of protein powder

frozen blueberries

oatmeal or almond butter

Yogurt with a crunch:

1 cup of any flavor of yogurt you want. (As long as it is low calorie and fat free).

1 ounce of fat free granola. ( The kashi granolas are a good choice, too)

1 teaspoon of flaxseed oil. (If you want to go that extra mile.)

360 calories, 20 g protein, 49.7 g carbs, and 9 g fat.

So hopefully these ideas will help get you started. Good luck and stay motivated!

http://losethighfatfast.webs.com

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Top 5 Healthiest Foods on Earth

By Bruce Blaustein

In this world of processed foods, preservatives and supermarket shelves chock full of junk foods, it's important to know that there are some foods out there that are truly healthy for you. The problem that we face is having to sift through all of the misconceptions, half-truths and outright lies about the foods that we eat. No wonder why people are confused about healthy eating when we are told to "eat Cheerios to help lower your cholesterol." Or "Three or more glasses of skim milk a day are a great way to lose weight."

In order to set the record straight, I have compiled a list of the Top 5 Healthiest Foods on Earth and how they are beneficial to living a long healthy life. These five super foods are proven disease fighters and energy boosters. When added to your meals, they will get you on the fast track to a super healthy body

1. Lemons - Just one lemon provides you with more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C requirements. It may also help raise your good cholesterol levels (HDL) and strengthen bones. Lemons contain citrus flavonoids which can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown that adding a slice of lemon to your green tea can increase your body's ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80 percent.

2. Broccoli - A single stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C. These are two essential bone-building nutrients. It is also known to help stave off numerous cancers. To get the full benefit that broccoli has to offer, microwaving it will preserve up to 90 percent of its vitamin C while steaming or boiling holds on to just 66 percent of the nutrient.

3. Dark Chocolate - That's right, I said dark chocolate. How could something that tastes so good also be good for you? Just ¼ ounce daily can help reduce your blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.

The cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that are shown to reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase "good" HDL levels. Dark chocolate contains almost 4 times as much flavonoids as milk chocolate.

4. Potatoes - A single red potato contains as much cell-building folate as one cup of spinach or broccoli. One sweet potato contain about 8 times the amount of cancer fighting and immune-boosting vitamin A that you require daily. Letting your potato cool before eating can help you burn close to 25 percent more fat after a meal due to a fat resistant starch.

5. Salmon - Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and depression. Eating just 3 ounces of salmon provides almost 50 percent of your daily dose of niacin which can help protect against Alzheimer's disease and memory loss.

These are just a few of the truly healthy foods that you should incorporate into your diet every day. Not only do they provide long lasting health benefits for you but they taste great too.

The Health and Diet Group is dedicated to providing information essential to living a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about the benefits of healthy eating visit: http://www.HealthAndDietGroup.com/blog/

Bruce Blaustein

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Friday, May 13, 2011

Best Kind of Foods for Losing Weight

By Fritz Ilagan

A lot of us get overwhelmed by the amount of available products in the market when trying to decide what kinds of food will give us the greatest benefit while trying to lose weight. Many think that only consuming tasteless low fat products is the way to go when trying to stay fit.

But sacrificing quality will not always generate the results we want as some products that promise to be low fat or lite can still pack hidden sugars, calories or carbs. Also, when we take too few calories for a long period of time, the body can interpret it as starvation and goes into "survival mode" which will lead you to pack the pounds again... that is why drastic diets are never recommended.

Here are some of the best kinds of food that can help you remain fit and healthy without sacrificing a satisfying meal.

Best vegetable: Broccoli. Without a doubt, this vegetable is one of the healthiest things you can buy and eat. Broccoli is packed with vitamin C, potassium, calcium, fiber and even anti-cancer phytonutrients. Add it in salad or steam it for a side dish, broccoli needs to special treatment and each serving goes a long way.

Best fresh fish: Tuna. No one will say no to tuna as it has excellent taste and can be prepared in various ways and in different dishes which mean you will not get tried of it easily. Tuna is also full of nourishment which includes omega-3 fatty acids which is great for a healthy heart, high protein content for muscle growth and development and low-calorie count so assured to have no guilt.

Best pasta: Whole wheat noodles. Who says all carbs are evil? Whole wheat noodles give you the choice of enjoying pasta dishes with more benefits compared to ordinary noodles. Each serving of whole wheat noodles will give you minerals like magnesium, protein, fiber and vitamin B. Usually, prices of whole wheat noodles are not that different to conventional pasta.

Best meat: Turkey breast. You do not have to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy turkey more so if you want to get lean or lose weight. It has the highest percentage of muscle-building protein compared to bovine (cow/beef) and porcine (hog/pork) equivalents. Protein in poultry meat like turkey is high quality and the fat in them are polyunsaturated making it a healthier choice.

Best cheese: Cottage cheese. Great to snacks for those who always like to nibble on something while watching TV or as a party food. Cottage cheese is high in protein but hardly has any fat which makes an ideal nosh for everyone.

Best take-out food: Sushi. You will never go wrong with sushi as it contains fish, vegetables and very few calories. Sushi provides the frequently missing nutrients in many people's diets like fatty acids and iodine. A perfect sushi meal can include maki (seaweed/nori wrapped around filled rice) with vegetables, nigiri (rice with fish on top) and California rolls (rice on the outside). Sushi serving looks rather deceptive as they tend to look small but after eating, most people get surprised at how filling it is.

Alliance Hand and Physical Therapy was founded in 2002. In eight years of operation, Alliance has grown to have seven clinics in Northern New Jersey, with the dedication to provide the highest quality of physical therapy to enhance the quality of life for its patients and their communities. For more information, comments or suggestions, please visit http://www.alliancehpt.com.

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Monday, May 09, 2011

A Smart Look at Three Ways to Eat Better

By Reginald Chang

Well, that is not surprising when you consider that maybe their bodies do not have adequate energy. Your everyday diet is what determines, to a great extent, how much energy you have and how well your body functions. At the same time, you can't ignore other essential elements such as regular exercise and sufficient rest. Often even small adjustments in how you eat or exercise can make a big difference in your energy levels. If you want to develop healthy eating habits, you should keep the tips we'll be covering below in mind.

If you want to eat in a healthier way, you not only have to be aware of what you eat, but how much; moderation is critical. By consuming smaller amounts, you'll probably find it's easier to eat in a more balanced way. You can still eat the foods you love, you just have to be careful that you don't overdo it. If you're in the habit of ordering a super sized meal when you go out, you're definitely a victim of this trend. The problem has spread to eateries of all kinds today, so it's common to be served meals that are a lot larger than you require. There's nothing sensible about a portion of food that forms a huge pile on your plate. No matter how large the portion is, only eat what you need and, if you want, ask to have the rest wrapped up so you can take it home.

People often end up biting off more than they can chew when they decide to change their diet and never realize their goals as a result. Undertaking such an effort only serves to stack the deck against you. It's better to get through the less significant hurdles before attempting something bigger.

Getting rid of your favorite sweet is something to work on later after you've got some smaller successes under your belt. Rather, begin to scrutinize foods in your diet that are easier for you to part with. Allow your body and mind time to acclimate to these new eating patterns. Finding a healthy and stable weight comes from making long term changes such as these.

You may want to try a simple way of determining which foods you should eat. You can, according to this point of view, judge the wholesomeness of a food by considering one question about it. This school of nutrition considers any foods that were not known to people in the 19th century to be artificial and overly processed. This doesn't mean we have to eat exactly as people did back then; you can use a new recipe, but it has to only contain traditional foods. This would exclude many of the convenience foods many of us have come to take for granted. They also highly recommend you should only buy foods from three sections of your grocery store. You can, if you adhere to this, shop only for dairy, produce and meat and stay away from everything else.

Many health and diet professionals believe that it is important to discover your own healthy eating habits and preferences. When taken into consideration, that should become self apparent.

One size indeed does not fit all when it comes to proper nutrition.

Have more questions? Perhaps I can help Feel free to visit for more information on Why Consume Chewable Vitamins?

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Monday, May 02, 2011

3 Nutrition Tips For a Healthy and Lean Body

By John Davenport

If you want to lose weight or avoid gaining it, you need to maintain a healthy and balanced nutrition routine. Your nutrition constitutes the fuel which you put into your body and, similar to a car, the wrong kind of fuel will make your body function less than optimally.

In the case of us humans, the wrong kind of fuel can result in a variety of negative side effects, one of the most prominent ones being weight gain.

To help you avoid gaining weight or to get you to lose it more quickly, I want to share 3 tips for a healthy nutrition. I believe that if you follow these tips in your life that you will find it much easier to have and keep a healthy and great looking body.

Tip #1 - Choose Your Cooking Oil Carefully

Cooking or frying your food in oil is not always such a bad thing. Much depends on the type of oil you choose for your cooking. Some oils actually provide your body with healthy fat which can be good for you. In fact, it can even be vital for your health. Two oils which are considered good are olive oil and coconut oil. Use these for your cooking and fried dishes.

Tip #2 - Choose your sweeteners carefully

Enjoying a little bit of sweet foods is not a sin as some would make it. It doesn't always have to mean that you're on your way to gaining weight. The type of sweetener is important. For instance, Stevia is considered a healthy sweetener and raw honey likewise has many health benefits. Refined sugar and some of the artificial sweeteners which are touted as healthy are often anything but and can quickly lead to weight gain.

Tip #3 - Choose your drinks carefully

What you drink can make you fat. It's as simple as that. The calories you consume through your beverages are "sneaky" because you often don't even feel that they're there. However, it's likely that you're consuming hundreds of extra calories each and every week through your drinks. If you like to drink coffee, sodas, or alcohol, I suggest that you stick to the low calorie, low sugar varieties. In fact, the basic rule of thumb as far as drinks are concerned is to keep everything as simple as possible. The less there is in your drinks the better.

If you follow these 3 simple tips, I believe you will have a better looking body very quickly.

For more healthy nutrition tips and recipes visit Metabolic Cooking

To learn how to lose weight quickly with a free diet plan visit Free Diet Plan
John Davenport lost over 30 pounds in his twenties after being overweight most of his life. He now runs a weight loss forum and publishes a diet and fitness newsletter.

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