Friday, July 17, 2009

Diet Tips

Here are some useful tips on dieting:

1) Don't ever skip breakfast. Eat something: a piece of toast, fruit, etc. Your body's metabolism rate slows down at night and does not speed up again until you eat something. If you wait until lunch to eat, that is 4 or more hours that your body is burning calories at a lower rate. Eat something soon after you get out of bed and your body will burn calories at a higher rate until lunch. Also, don't go more than about 5 hours during the day without eating. That causes you to eat more at meal time. Eat healthy, low-fat snacks in between meals is you are going to go more than 5 hours without a meal.

2) Right after eating a meal, especially dinner, go straight to the bathroom to brush, floss, and mouthwash so that your mouth is feeling nice and clean - this makes it less appealing to eat more (especially before bedtime)

3) If you get hungry you should chew gum. Some people just like to chew things. Chew gum while preparing meals or making lunch for the next day, to prevent you from nibbling food while it is right in front of you.

4) I have noticed that if you eat your meals away from the T.V. and other distracting places that you will enjoy your meal better and will take a little longer to eat the meal. Also drink at least 2 glasses of water or one glass of milk during your meal and you will feel fuller causing you to not go back for seconds.(note: i suggest water, if drinking milk make it skim milk)

5) Weight in pounds multipled by 15 will equal the number of calories per day to maintain that weight. 500 calories less per day will result in approx 1 lb weight loss per week; 750 calories = 1 1/2 lbs per week; 1000 calories = 2 lbs per week. Keep a daily diary of calorie intake. Fat, carbohydrates and protein will automaticly adjust themselves to stay within alloted calories per day.

6) Keep healthy foods handy like fruit or vegetables in the fridge. Eat only if hungry.

7) Keep a diary of your eating and your feelings, far away from the kitchen. Document everything that you eat before you eat it. Describe how you feel health wise as you progress. Describe how you feel when you cheat your self.

8) Soups are a great meal, they are filling, tasty, and healthy. *Soups may be a good and filling meal, but healthy is debatable. Just look at the amount of sodium in the most popular brands. Even the low sodium brands have more in them than most other types of meals (with half the taste).

9) Never starve yourself, especially before going out to eat (or you will binge). Never skip meals, you must have some kind of nourishment regularly or your body's starvation defenses will kick in,lower your metabolism, and store fat. Use nutritional meal replacements instead of skipping or eating very low calorie meals.

10) Don't think that just because you are eating low fat/low calorie foods that you can eat all that you want. The calories still add up and must be burned off regardless of what kind of food you eat. Balance is key.

Article Source: faddiet.com

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Choosing A Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement -- Which Nutrition Insurance Plan Is Right For You?

By: Todd Sinett and Sheldon Sinett

A multivitamin/mineral is like a dietary insurance policy to ensure that even on the days you eat pretzels and a cookie for lunch, your body doesn’t miss out on vital nutrients. Multivitamins, like clothing, work best when the size is right. Women, men, and children have very different nutrient needs in terms of specific nutrients and the amounts of important nutrients. A specialized multivitamin/mineral supplement ensures that nutrient needs are met. Keep in mind, however, that a multivitamin/mineral supplement is meant to do just what its name implies, supplement – not replace – a healthful diet.

• Children need less in terms of amounts of vitamins and minerals (since they’re smaller), but the importance of proper nutrient levels is no less during childhood. Not only do height and weight increase at incredible rates during this time, but brain function and general coordination are quickly developing, as well. At a time of rapid and vital growth and development, but potentially inconsistent eating habits, a multivitamin/mineral that is specially formulated for children can help a child get all of the nutrients he or she needs – even the picky eaters. **Adolescents’ nutrient needs begin to change as they reach puberty -- right around the same time that busy schedules, peer pressure, and school lunches can wreak havoc on eating habits. Girls’ iron needs nearly double (from 8mg/day to 15mg/day) when menstruation begins. This is the time that they should begin taking an adult formula with iron. Calcium requirements increase for boys and girls starting between ages 9- to13- years of age, due to rapid growth and bone development. An additional calcium supplement is often needed, especially for teens that do not eat dairy products. Boys’ needs for more B vitamins, as well as larger quantities of most nutrients, make it appropriate for them to begin taking an adult formula at this time as well.

• Women of childbearing age have a particular need for iron, calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid in order to build and maintain strong bones, keep energy levels high, and maintain necessary nutrient stores should they become pregnant. Most multivitamin/minerals will not have 100% of calcium or vitamin D, so an additional supplement containing these nutrients is usually needed. A formula that provides 100% of the daily value of folic acid, a B vitamin, is extremely important in the prevention of certain birth defects, should a woman become pregnant. Sufficient iron is vital to ensuring that oxygen travels throughout the entire body (including the brain!), fighting fatigue, and keeping the metabolism revved up.

• Men have increased nutrient needs due to higher metabolic rates and a larger proportion of total body muscle mass. Overall, needs are higher for B vitamins like thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin and less iron than women do. The B vitamins work together to metabolize food and convert it to fuel for energy production, maintain sufficient levels of sex hormones, and remove toxins from the body. Meeting these increased nutrient needs helps to achieve optimal physical and mental health. Additionally, men can benefit from certain plant compounds, like lycopene, which have been shown to decrease the risk of prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer death among males.

• Adults over fifty have higher needs for vitamins B6, D, C, and calcium, and lower iron requirements. In addition, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing vitamin B12 from food. Vitamin B12 is a key nutrient in preventing anemia by maintaining a healthy number of red blood cells. It also keeps the nervous system (the control panel for your entire body) working properly. “Senior Formula” multivitamins account for these specific needs and are often enhanced with compounds like lutein and lycopene to support eye and prostate health. However, a regular adult multivitamin/mineral without iron will also meet basic needs. An additional calcium/vitamin D supplement is usually necessary in order to meet the increased needs of older adults.

**Postmenopausal women have increased needs for calcium related to hormonal changes, while iron needs are cut in half due to the ceasing of the menstrual cycle. A general adult multivitamin without iron, or a senior formula plus an additional calcium/vitamin D supplement, is recommended for women who have completed menopause.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The Best Formula - Weight Loss Dietary Supplements that Help Lose Weight & Improve Your Health

By: Paul Newland


Image Source: OnlineEmploymentDaily.com

Simple inexpensive and long term weight loss is possible through good nutrition, weight loss dietary supplements such as minerals, vitamins, amino acids and essential fatty acids along with lifestyle changes and a healthy attitude to eating. In this article we’ll get you started on your weight loss program and get you healthy at the same time.

Obesity is now a major problem in the U.S., and most western countries. A staggering 50% of children and more than 35% of adults are obese and that means they are in a high risk category for the major diseases such as adult onset diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer – excellent reasons to lose weight.

Weight loss dietary supplements can help in the weight loss process but more importantly they work to keep your body healthy and reduce the risk of health problems.
To Lose Weight – Don’t Diet!

Over 90% of diets fail – even the good ones. Diets don’t work for a number of reasons:

• They restrict fat intake and leave you feeling hungry – fat has a number of important functions in the body and you are left feeling ‘full’ after eating it. Carbohydrates and low calories on the other hand leave you feeling hungry again after an hour.

• When you restrict calories you also restrict nutrition. If you lack essential nutrients you are more likely to satisfy your needs by going on eating binges, ‘the munchies’. A long term approach focuses on weight loss dietary supplements to meet your nutritional requirements and stop those 'snack attacks'.

• They are restrictive to your lifestyle.

Weight Loss That Works

Any weight loss program needs to be a long-term lifestyle commitment, supported by nutritional weight loss dietary supplements and an eating plan that will not restrict or compromise your lifestyle too much. Here are the main features:

• Eat larger meals at the beginning of the day and smaller meals in the evening

• Consume plenty of protein, green leafy vegetables and complex carbohydrates such as vegetables and whole grains

• Have high protein snacks between meals – such as chicken and cottage cheese etc. A protein shake with whey or soy is ideal when mixed with your favourite fruit

• Two servings of fresh fruit are ideal as desserts

• Drink plenty of fresh filtered water. Drinking more water will reduce the cravings and allow your liver to function more efficiently; this helps because one of the jobs of the liver is to convert fat into energy

At the same time you need to avoid:

• Caffeine – increases your loss of essential minerals and depletes your blood sugar; when this happens you get the munchies and consume the ‘wrong food’.

• Refined carbohydrates and sugar - (the ‘wrong food’) will be turned into fat very quickly; examples are white bread, white rice, pasta, sugar and sugary foods

• Soft drinks (and carbonated drinks) – high in sugar and raise your risk of osteoporosis, diabetes and a number of other diseases

• Fried food and margarine – the ‘bad fats’ which will increase your risk of a number of diseases

Weight Loss Dietary Supplements

• Start supplementing with weight loss dietary supplements including minerals, vitamins, amino acids and essential fatty acids. This will keep you in excellent health, reduce the cravings for sweet or unhealthy snack foods while making sure you have the best nutrition available.

• Other weight loss dietary supplements include a high quality Whey Protein Powder - choose a good brand that contains plenty of vitamins, minerals and is low in sugar and carbohydrate.

• Supplements containing chromium can assist with the regulation of blood sugar and will assist with weight loss by improving the conversion of sugar into energy as opposed to fat.

Exercise, Attitude and Throw Away the Scales

Exercise and a healthy attitude are very important for your long term well being and weight control.

Any exercise is beneficial; the main thing is to make it enjoyable. Start out slowly and gradually develop a plan i.e. a training program. It may involve a walk on Monday; swim on Wednesday, golf on Friday and your favorite team sport on Saturday. Regular exercise lowers your risk of diseases, keeps you healthy and focused. The weight loss dietary supplements will help here by giving you more energy and excellent nutrition.

At the same time develop a health attitude – meaning that you should be aware of your program – particularly in the early days – write out your weight loss goals and visualize how you will look. An organized plan as well as persistence will work.

To measure your results, throw away the scales and use a tape measure around your neck, upper arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs and calves – once a week is fine.

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Article Source: EzineArticles.com