Paleo Diet Recipes Guide : Juli 2013

Selasa, 30 Juli 2013

Vegetarian High Protein Quick Weight Loss Diet

It is possible to lose weight quickly through a vegetarian high-protein diet. However, simply eating vegetarian foods high in protein is not enough to lose weight (see Reference 1). Moreover, losing weight this way may be dangerous and only temporary (see Reference 1). Before planning a vegetarian high-protein diet, it is important to consider some key information.

According to the Mayo Clinic, research has shown that, on average, people who switch to a vegetarian diet eat fewer calories and less fat than non-vegetarians (see Reference 1). Moreover, vegetarians have a lower body weight relative to their height than non-vegetarians (see Reference 1). Of course, simply becoming a vegetarian will not automatically result in weight loss. Moreover, the protein that you no longer get through eating meat must be replaced. Protein is critical to your health because your body uses it to create muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails and internal organs (see Reference 2). Moreover, protein is used to replace and form new tissue, transport oxygen and nutrients in your blood and cells, and make antibodies (see Reference 2).

Many vegetarian foods are high in protein. These include tempeh (41g), soybeans (29g), lentils (18g), veggie burger (13g), tofu (11g), and chick peas (13g) (see Reference 3). Katherine Zeratsky, a nutritionist with the Mayo Clinic, suggests that vegetarians get their protein from foods low in fat and calories, such as dried beans, low-fat cheese, reduced-fat peanut butter and soy products, as opposed to foods like full-fat cheese and peanut butter (see Reference 1).

According to Monique Gilbert, health advocate, certified personal trainer, and author, high-protein diets can be extremely dangerous (see Reference 2). The American Heart Association states that 50 to 60g of protein is enough for most adults (see Reference 2). However, according to Gilbert, many people on high-protein diets consume as much as four times that amount.(see Reference 2). This excessive protein consumption can result in heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones (see Reference 2).

Moreover, one of the reasons high-protein diets help you lose weight is that the amount of protein consumed raises levels of uric acid and urea in the blood (see Reference 2). This causes the body to eliminate this uric acid and urea by pumping lots of water into the kidneys and urinary tract (see Reference 2). In turn, this results in the loss of essential minerals from the body, including calcium (see Reference 2). Before beginning a high-protein vegetarian diet, consider consulting with a dietitian.

What Are the Health Benefits of Natural Red Palm Oil?

The ancient Egyptians cooked with red palm oil more than 5000 years ago. The pharoahs considered it a sacred food, and the culture used it in cooking and as a medicine. Derived from the fruit of the oil palm Elaesis guineensis; the plant originated in Africa. From its prized origins, red palm oil fell out of favor in the Western world. Now, with trends going back to natural cures, red palm oil once again flourishes with its numerous health benefits.

For countless centuries, red palm oil has served as a cure-all for many common ailments in Africa. It is still common for the sick to be administered a cup of the oil to drink. In addition, pregnant and nursing mothers in the African villages drink red palm oil daily to boost the vitamin content of their milk naturally.

The red color comes from the natural presence of betacarotene and lycopene, which gives carrots and tomatoes their distinctive red and orange colors. Once digested, the body converts these to vitamin A. The equivalent amount of red palm oil offers 15 times the betacarotene of a carrot. As such, one teaspoon of the red palm oil supplies a child with the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A.

In addition to vitamin A, red palm oil also contains vitamin E and K to support healthy skin, hair and nails.

Beside packing a hefty vitamin punch, red palm oil also contains other recognized healthy components such as CoQ10, squalene, falconoid, phenolic acids and glycolipids. All of these phytonutrients have been recognized as providing an important role in overall nutrition and health.

Despite its high saturated fat content, palm oil studies have shown that oil reduce the buildup in the arteries. The presence of CoQ10 has been attributed as part of the reason for the improvements in overall heart health and lower cholesterol levels.

While palm oil contains more than 50 percent saturated fat, some of this comes in the form of high density lipoprotein or HDL, the good fat for lowering cholesterol. Here lies the main debate over whether palm oil offers a healthy alternative. The cultures that traditionally use palm oil daily as part of their heritage have no increase in heart disease, compared to other cultures that use natural, healthy oil.

In third world countries, red palm oil serves as a necessary source of dietary fat. In this capacity, the trans fats help stave off malnutrition by adding needed calories. With the trend toward natural fats, palm oil may someday replace the hydrogenated animal fats that make up many processed foods.

With red palm oil being commercially produced through parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, sufficient quantities are manufactured yearly to support the substitution of this naturally healthy substance in place of the chemically produced fats.

Diet & Prevention of Gout

Gout, or gouty arthritis, is a condition that develops when too much uric acid builds up in the body and causes pain, inflammation and redness in the joints. Normally, the body flushes out uric acid, but sometimes it may begin to produce too much or is not as efficient at removing it. Gout can affect any joint, but it is most common in the big toe and feet. Anyone can develop gout, but it is more common in men than women. Luckily, there are some steps people who are prone to the condition can take to help prevent gout attacks.

Following a specific diet can help prevent gout attacks because it helps limit uric acid in the body. The key to preventing gout is avoiding foods that are high in purines, a protein found naturally in some food sources. High-purine foods include organ meats, sweet breads, anchovies, mackerel, herring, scallops and game meats. These foods should be avoided, and people should limit their consumption of red meat, poultry and seafood, which also contain purines. Good food sources include whole grains, fresh produce and low-fat dairy products. Some people also have had success eating fruits high in vitamin C to help stave off gout. Good sources of vitamin C include cherries, strawberries and other berries and citrus fruits. To prevent gout or help treat the symptoms of an attack, these fruits must be eaten daily.

It's very important for people with gout to drink plenty of fluids--preferably water--because it can help flush uric acid out of the body. It's also important to avoid alcohol, which can prevent the body from excreting uric acid. Beer, too, is a bad choice because it is high in purines. People prone to gout should try to limit alcohol intake. If you are having an attack, avoid it completely to speed up the recovery.

There are several home remedies that are thought to help ease the symptoms of a painful gout attack. One is a ginger bath. To do this, simply add a third of a cup of ground ginger to a hot bath, and soak the affected joints for about 30 minutes. This will make you sweat and help the body excrete uric acid. When you are done soaking, be sure to rinse the area completely to prevent skin irritation. Soaking your feet in Epsom salt also can help. Just add two cups of Epsom salt to hot water, and soak until the water is no longer warm. Ice packs or cold compresses also can provide some temporary relief for aching joints.

Senin, 29 Juli 2013

High Protein Diet Plan for Muscle Gain

For bodybuilders, athletes and most recreational lifters, the goal in the gym is to gain as much muscle as quickly as possible. And as most experienced coaches and trainers can tell you, muscle growth does not happen in the gym--it happens during the other 23 hours of the day while the muscle rests and rebuilds from the stress of the workout. But to make that process occur smoothly, we need to fuel the engine with a proper diet. Discover how high protein can result in quality muscle gains.

According to the American Dietetics Association, daily required protein intake for ordinary people falls somewhere around 0.4 g per pound of body weight. Those looking to gain muscle are hardly "ordinary," however. As muscle is primarily built through the process of protein synthesis, the daily protein requirements for individuals looking to add lean mass to their frames falls somewhere between 1 to 2 g per pound of body weight. Most trainees will see noticeable effects by consuming around 1 g per lb, but those who train more frequently or intensely will want to come in at around 1.5 to 2 g per lb to optimize their gains.

So now that we have a baseline idea of how much protein our muscle-gain diet should contain, let's take the next step and ensure that it is considered healthy in all other respects so we do not accidentally create illness through vitamin or mineral deficiency. Consider merging your high-protein lifestyle with the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Nutritional Programs," developed by Dr. John Berardi.
Dr. Berardi's "7 Habits" should be the cornerstone of every balanced nutritional program. They are, in no particular order:
1. Eat small meals every 2 to 3 hours, for a total of five to eight meals a day.
2. Consume lean protein with every meal--fish, poultry, meat and eggs. To balance this, divide your daily protein requirements across the number of planned meals for the day. For example, if your daily requirement is 180 g over six meals, eat roughly 30 g of protein per meal.
3. Consume fruits and vegetables with every meal.
4. Make fruit and vegetables your main source of carbohydrates.
5. Consume at least 25% of your calories from fat--including animal fat, fat from avocados and coconuts, and oils (fish, flax and olive).
6. Drink only water and green tea--if you must break this rule, consume no beverage that has any calories.
7. Eat mostly solid food--minimize protein shakes and other liquid nutrition.

Remember that consistency is the key to progress. You cannot expect to gain muscle overnight. If you do everything correctly and keep your diet wholly in check, the most you can hope for is around one to two pounds of muscle gain a week. To maximize your gains, cheat on your diet as little as possible. Dr. Berardi expects 90% compliance, but for optimal gains, keep your cheat meals to one or two a week.

How to Transition From a Vegan to Raw Diet

The raw food diet is also sometimes referred to as raw foodism or rawism. People on this type of diet consume fruits and vegetables in their most natural state. All cooked or processed foods are eliminated; however, it does accept the eating of raw eggs and cheese made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Food dehydrators are used in place of ovens. Some vegans find that transitioning from vegan to a raw diet complements their lifestyle.

Instructions

Set a date when you would like to be fully transitioned. Make a list of reasons why you chose to adopt a raw foods diet and keep it with you for those times when you need to be reminded of it. Place a copy of your reasons on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror for self-support.

Make a list of your favorite meals and find ways that you can replicate those meals raw. Develop an organized weekly meal plan and always have ingredients, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables to curb temptation. Add raw snacks between meals for a week and then replace one meal a day with a raw meal until you feel confident enough to replace a second meal.

Repeat Step three until all of your meals are replaced with raw meals. Allow your body time to adjust to the change with your new eating habit before getting discouraged. Avoid people who do not support your decision with your new lifestyle until you feel confident enough to not be pressured into straying away from your diet.

Sources of High-Quality Protein

The term "protein quality" refers to how well the amino acid in the protein matches the body's requirements, as well as how easily available and digestible the protein is. In short, protein quality is a reflection of how well your body can use the nutrients in the protein. The eight essential amino acids that make up a complete protein cannot be manufactured by the body, but can be made of two foods eaten together.

Eggs are a high-quality protein that can help strengthen muscle, keep you full and give sustained energy. Eggs do not cause the blood sugar spikes that can cause you to crash later. They also contain the essential amino acids necessary for building and creating muscle.

Dairy products like cheese, milk and yogurt are good sources of protein as well as calcium, which keeps bones and teeth strong. Select skim or low-fat versions of these products if you want to enhance weight loss. People with lactose intolerance or those on vegan diets may choose soy diary imitations, which contain protein as well.

Choose white-meat poultry over dark meat, which is higher in fat. Remove skin before cooking or buy skinless meat products. Pork tenderloin is another healthy protein source, and lean beef provides zinc, iron and vitamin B-12 for just one more gram of saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast.

Just half a cup of beans has the same amount of protein as a 3-oz. steak, and they also have plenty of fiber to help with satiety by slowing down the movement of food through the intestine. They have essential vitamins and don't cause a spike in blood sugar.

Minggu, 28 Juli 2013

What Foods Are Good for Gout?

Gout is a particularly painful form of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the blood. It affects 10 percent of Americans. Diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce the effects of gout by potentially preventing attacks and decreasing their intensity.

Chemical compounds known as purines break down to uric acid in the human bloodstream, which can build up in joints and cause gout attacks. Reducing purine intake can be an effective way to reduce gout.

Green vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, non-whole grain breads and peanuts and nut butters all have low purine densities and are safe to eat in moderation.

Low-fat or non-fat milk and yogurt may in fact lower your risk of suffering a gout attack, according to health.com.

Many meats have high purine content and are unsuitable. Poultry white meat and many fish are acceptable meats for a gout sufferer to eat on a constricted basis. Fatty fish, such as sardines, anchovies mackerel and scallops are high in purines and should be avoided.

In addition to modifying your diet, managing your weight and engaging in a moderate exercise routine can also help reduce gout attacks.

While reducing purine intake may lower your chances for suffering a gout attack, diet is not the only factor in uric acid accumulation. Overproduction of uric acid in the body and decreased kidney absorption are other key factors.

How to Lose 10 Pounds of Weight in 10 Days

Even if you are severely overweight or obese, losing 10 lbs. in 10 days is not considered healthy. According to the National Library of Medicine, healthy weight loss is losing approximately 1 to 2 lbs. per week and can be achieved by reducing the calories you consume by 500 to 1,000 per day. Losing 10 lbs. in 10 days is not impossible, but requires drastic lifestyle adjustments. Before starting a new diet or exercise regimen you should consult your doctor.

Instructions

Consume 1,200 calories per day if you are a woman and 1,500 calories if you are a man. According to the National Library of Medicine, these are the lowest recommended daily intakes of calories for medically unsupervised diets.

Avoid foods high in fat and sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Replace full-fat products with low-fat and nonfat products to reduce calories. Get up to 15 percent of your calories from lean protein such as chicken and fish. Consume 55 to 70 percent of calories from slow-digesting carbohydrates such as brown rice and whole grain products, and get 10 to 30 percent of your calories from unsaturated fats such as olive oil and raw nuts.

Step up your exercise routine to 60 minutes per day for five days per week to burn calories and fat and increase your metabolism. Perform interval training, where you switch back and forth from several minutes of high-intensity cardio to several minutes of low-intensity cardio. Add weight training in which you work out all the muscle groups and increase your muscle mass; this results in a speedier metabolism all day long, which burns more calories.

Fill up with water by drinking half an ounce of water for every pound of body weight. Drink water when you feel hungry, because sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger.

Consume three to five cups of green tea per day to ramp up your metabolism and increase your caloric burn, for just 70 calories per day.

Take fiber supplements and a multivitamin daily. Fiber will make you feel full and keep you from overeating, and a multivitamin supplies you with the nutrients your body is lacking because of your diet.

Avoid eating late at night. Because your metabolism slows down at night, whatever you eat then ends up getting stored as fat. Don't eat anything three hours before bedtime.

Sleep eight hours per night so your body can rejuvenate itself and function properly. According to the Sleep Education website, ghrelin is released in the body if you don't get sufficient sleep. This hormone increases your appetite.

Sabtu, 27 Juli 2013

Foods to Cleanse the Pallet

A palate cleanser is a food or beverage that calms the taste buds and sweeps intense flavors from the mouth and tongue. Long meals often benefit from a palate cleanser between the savory courses and the sweets; you may also need a palate cleanser after a piece of pizza that's heavy on the garlic. The best palate cleansers also cost the least, so don't hesitate to experiment to find what works best. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Bland crackers and crisp breads work wonderfully for cleansing the palate after a pungent food. While unsalted saltines may suffice for more casual occasions, they won't do for more dressy events. For more formal times, try water or specialty crackers from a wine or gourmet shop.

Long heralded as a refreshing cleanser, fruit sorbet has a light taste that clears the tongue. Try basic flavors such as lemon, strawberry or mango, or go for something more exotic such as green tea or champagne. If you want to serve sorbet at a dinner party, look for creatively packaged desserts in their native fruit skins in your grocer's freezer section.

A thin slice of fresh, crusty bread can also cleanse your palate. Try to serve a more mellow variety rather than a pungent pumpernickel, or accommodate many tastes by providing choices in a basket. Warm the bread slightly and serve with honey or fruit butter for a really sweet treat.

Guests always welcome a range of fresh fruit at table after a large meal. Mindy Kobrin of Celebrations.com recommends fresh figs, sliced pears, grape bundles and dried cranberries in the fall, while a summer hostess might set out melon, strawberries and peaches for her guests. Play tricks with the fruit; try using frozen strawberries or grapes as ice cubes in cocktails and drinks as a change of pace.

Spicy food lovers know that a simple sip of milk washes down hot oils and intense flavors better than water. Take a swig of milk after very sweet foods such as ice cream, cookies, cake or brownies. Serve milk chilled, at room temperature or with ice to provide a simple, unpretentious way to wipe strong flavors from your guests' mouths.

Why Do High Protein Diets Make One Urinate More?

A high-protein diet is a diet in which 20 percent or more of your calories each day come from protein. It also emphasizes a restriction on carbohydrates, causing the body to burn stored body fat rather than glucose for energy. This process is called "ketosis," which is possibly one reason why you may urinate more when you follow a protein diet. A more likely reason is the fact that a protein diets generally includes increased water consumption.

High protein diets became mainstream in the 1990s with the advent of the Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet was the brainchild of Dr. Robert Atkins, a cardiologist who started the plan in an effort to lose weight himself. Atkins claimed that a diet consisting primarily of proteins derived from poultry, beef, eggs and fish assisted weight loss and fought off disease and improved energy levels. Since then, many similar plans have followed suit.

Protein diets feature foods from the poultry, beef, eggs and fish categories, and severely limits carbohydrate rich options such as breads, pasta, fruit and starchy vegetables. For instance, dieters on a protein plan might have a bacon cheeseburger with mayonnaise and mustard for lunch, but not eat the bun. Steak and bacon would be fine for dinner, as long as the meal is not complemented with a potato. Sugars and caffeine are almost entirely forbidden as well.

Since protein diets are low in fiber and high in sodium, most recommend drinking anywhere from seven to 10 glasses of water per day. Water helps the digestive system, increases metabolism and rids the body of toxins. It also assists the functions of key organs such as the kidneys and liver. Needless to say, anyone who increases their water intake is likely to urinate more as they flush the body.

Ketosis occurs when the body takes in less than 100g of carbohydrates per day. Protein diets typically limit carb intake to less than 50g per day--and many keep it at less than 20g per day during the first two weeks (also known as the "induction" phase). This causes the body to form ketones, or molecules that form during the breakdown of fat. Most ketones are harmless and are even beneficial when used for energy. However, acetone is a ketone that is not used for energy, and is simply emitted from the body as waste. This is possibly one reason why someone following a protein diet may tend to urinate frequently.

Medical experts have expressed concern about the long-term effects of high protein diets on the kidneys, liver and heart. However, such plans have proven to assist with weight loss, and there is no evidence that protein diets will have a negative impact on overall health. Either way, chances are that anyone who urinates frequently while following a protein plan is doing things right--as it likely means the increased water intake and ketosis are simply at work.

Diet for Detoxifying Liver

The liver is a vital bodily organ. It is also a hard worker, responsible for many functions and operations that are necessary for life and health, such as assimilation (body tissue accumulation) and digestion (the deconstruction of nutrients). It also handles the storage of many essential and beneficial minerals and vitamins, like vitamins A, D and E, as well as copper and iron. This is why liver detoxification, which is the cleansing of the liver (by eliminating toxic substances), is so important.

Liver detoxification diets are intended to cleanse the liver by removing harmful toxic substances and unnecessary chemicals. This is supposed to promote optimal health and functioning of the liver (which would therefore make digestion and other bodily processes work more smoothly and efficiently). With a liver detoxification diet, there are specific foods to seek out and specific foods to avoid entirely.

Individuals on a liver detoxification diet should drink at least eight glasses of water (room temperature) a day. Other acceptable beverages include pure vegetable and fruit juices (unsweetened), green or herbal teas, rice milk, and lemon water. Fresh fruit, all varieties or rice (especially brown rice), grains (such as millet, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth), beans (such as green peas, pinto beans, lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas), extra virgin olive oil, seeds (such as pumpkin, sunflower and sesame), and nuts (such as walnuts and cashews) are all excellent options for liver detox diets.

People looking to detoxify their livers should avoid drinking coffee, including decaffeinated coffee. High-fat foods, alcohol, yeast, preservatives and additives, chocolate, sugar and products with sugar, dairy (including sour cream and cream cheese), wheat products (like bread and pasta), and gluten (such as barley, rye, and wheat) all should be avoided when going about the liver detoxification procedure.

Jumat, 26 Juli 2013

How to Plan a Vegan Diet for a Toddler

Following the vegan diet means not consuming animal products or animal byproducts. Meat and dairy are both banned from the vegan diet. When you're raising toddlers on the vegan diet, you must make sure they are getting all of the necessary nutrients and vitamins. Once you know what foods are essential for a healthy toddler, you will be able to plan a vegan diet.

Instructions

Give your child one serving of fruit for breakfast. One serving might be 1/2 cup of canned fruit, one medium piece of fruit or 1/2 cup of fruit juice.

Give your child two servings of grain for breakfast. One slice of toast, 1 cup of oatmeal or 2 cups breakfast cereal are all equal to two servings of grain. Breakfast cereal and oatmeal must be made with soy milk to be considered vegan.

Serve 1 cup of soy milk with your toddler's breakfast.

Give your toddler two servings of grain for lunch. One cup of pasta or one slice of bread both equal two servings of grains.

Give your child one serving of fruit with lunch. Consider serving 1/2 cup of canned fruit, one medium piece of fruit or 1/2 cup of fruit juice.

Give your child one serving of nuts or legumes with lunch. Options include 1/2 cup cooked beans, tofu or tempeh. Two tablespoons peanut butter also equal one serving of nuts.

Serve 1/2 cup cooked vegetables or 1 cup raw vegetables with lunch.

Give your toddler 1 cup of soy milk with his lunch.

Revisit steps 4 through 8 for dinner options.

Kamis, 25 Juli 2013

How to Include Protein in a Diet

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets are a recent fad that has swept across the boundaries of nearly every nation in the world. The drawbacks to these diets is that they often make the dieter maintain unsustainable eating habits that serve to make the situation worse when they revert to normal eating. Including protein into your diet can be sustained however if you know where to get the sources of protein and how to eat them without being bored of the same meat over and over again.

Instructions

Become a nut. You can go nuts without literally going crazy while dieting by eating or snacking on your favorite nuts. Pecans, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds and even cashews are some of the most popular and beneficial nuts that can provide a good source of both protein and healthy fats. Too add even more protein to your diet, cook some of these nuts in your meat for dinner or use peanut butter as a dip for fruit or vegetable snacks.

Moo for more protein in your diet. Dairy products are a surprisingly good source of protein that can be included in a diet. Adding some milk to your fruit in the morning or having some yogurt with some oats as a snack before lunch can help to seamlessly incorporate protein into any diet. Cheeses such as cottage and cheddar are also great sources of protein that can be added or shredded and sprinkled over many foods to boost their protein benefits.

Cook up some eggs. Eggs are one of the best sources of protein nature has created and many protein and weigh supplements are based on egg protein. Providing nearly 6 grams of protein per serving (1 egg), eggs come in the perfect serving size and can be cooked in many different ways for preference including boiling, frying, scrambling and poaching. To avoid ingesting too much cholesterol that comes from the egg yolk, mix your more egg whites into the concoction before cooking or simply remove as much of the yellow before eating. Limiting your intake to one whole egg a day will serve the same effect as well.

Feast on some legumes to include more protein into a diet. Legumes such as sprouts, beans, lentils, and soy products like tofu are exquisite sources of protein that can be included in a diet in many ways. Spreading some of over a salad or cooking some beans as a side item to a meat will compliment an already protein packed meal. Bean salads, tofu burgers for vegetarians or even soy mixed into milk can help boost and include your protein intake in a diet.

Remember the healthier sources of meat. Turkey, chicken and fish are all healthy sources of protein when prepared properly. Switching these out with leaner cuts of beef every now and then will help you to include more protein in your diet while keeping your taste buds from dying of boredom. Baked, broiled and grilled options are usually healthy preparation techniques than fried and will provide more positive benefits.

Rabu, 24 Juli 2013

Juice Recipes for Detox & Health

As home juicing machines and blenders have become more available, more people have been enjoying the refreshing taste and health benefits of fruit and vegetable juice. You may use juice as a way to detox your body and restore health.

The best thing about a home juicer is the opportunity to mix up whatever you like. You can experiment with your favorites and see what makes you feel your best. Experiment with adding protein powder, vegetables you dont normally eat, or vitamin supplements. Fruit has a lot of natural sugar so you don't need to add sweeteners.

Oprah Winfrey touted Dr. Mehmet Ozs green drink recipe as the way to start your day. Full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and other nutritious ingredients, it blends familiar ingredients into a sippable powerhouse.

Wash and rinse one bunch of celery, two cucumbers, two apples and two cups fresh spinach. Add a fresh peeled piece of ginger, the juice of one lime, and the juice of half a lemon. Blend all the ingredients until smooth. This recipe makes about two servings.

Berries are delicious, sweet and usually require no extra sweeteners. For a refreshing berry juice, blend a cup each of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in a blender. Add a cup of ice if you wish, to chill the mixture. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or muslin and serve over ice.

Living Foods is an online community dedicated to helping people learn more about the detox properties of juice. AAA juice is one of their recipes. It is full of beta carotene, vitamins A and C, antioxidants and potassium, among other things. Wash all ingredients thoroughly before you begin.

Juice together six carrots, one apple, two celery stalks, half a handful of wheatgrass, half a handful of parsley and one half of a beet, peeled.

Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet. Even "natural" ingredients like fruits and vegetables can interfere with your normal routine. For example, fruits are high in sugar, so if you have diabetes, a juice detox may not be a wise idea for you. Ask your doctor what you should be careful of before starting a juice fast or incorporating more juice into your diet.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The Paleo diet is certainly not a new idea. Coming to popular attention with the publication of a book on the subject by Walter Voegtlin in 1975, its central concept is to mimic the diet of humans that lived 25 to 50 thousand years ago, during the Paleolithic Age. Voegtlin claimed distinct benefits are associated with what he claims was the high protein and low carbohydrate diet of the ancients. His plan is occasionally called the caveman diet, the Stone Age diet and the hunter-gatherer diet. Proponents of the Paleo diet continue to practice it, and it has been somewhat validated by the emergence of other similar low-carb diets.

The Paleo diet attempts to mimic the food intake of our distant ancestors by excluding foods that entered the human diet during the Neolithic Age, mostly grains, legumes, and other products of agriculture. These foods are not edible in their natural state, but they must be cooked to convert toxins into safe substances and to become digestible. Instead, the Paleo diet focuses on foods that are edible in their natural state and would have been available to low-technology hunter/gatherers.

The claim of Paleo diet proponents is that the human body evolved for millennia with the fairly consistent food sources available to hunter/gatherers. Over time, it adapted to these foods and reacted to them optimally. They claim that grains and other agricultural products were introduced relatively recently in human history, and that they not only are not well handled by the body, which suffers as a result, but they are not as nutritionally beneficial as the traditional foods of the Paleolithic era.

The kinds of foods the Paleo diet allow are meats (especially seafood, lean meats and organ meats like liver and kidneys), raw vegetables (especially roots vegetables like carrots, but not potatoes), nuts (especially walnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia, and almonds, but not peanuts or cashews) and fruits (especially berries).

The Paleo diet is not intended to be a faddish or temporary tool for producing immediate weight loss but rather a lasting lifestyle change. Proponents of the diet claim that not only will it prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other "diseases of affluence," but it also leads to a gradual realization of an individual's ideal body weight, maximum health and top athletic performance.

The Paleo diet is a low-carb diet, not unlike the Atkins or South Beach diets. Unlike those diets, however, the Paleo diet does not advocate counting carbs or calories. Instead, it maintains that a simple focus on the right kinds of foods will naturally increase overall percentage of energy coming from protein, reduce the intake of carbohydrates and lead to improved health and longevity. These claims are not uncontested, however, and several studies link vegetarian, Mediterranean and Asian diets with health and longevity. Scientists agree there is insufficient evidence as to the relative proportion of plant and animal foods that constituted the diet of Paleolithic humans.

Food to Avoid Gout

Gout usually afflicts the feet, legs and knees of people with high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. But the most commonly attacked area is the big toe. It is an acute form of arthritis usually linked to poor diet and lack of physical activity. To diminish gout, put yourself on a strict diet. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Make sure your diet isn't high in purines. Lamb, pork and beef should be avoided, as well as meat extracts and gravies. "Organ meats," such as kidneys, liver or brains, are especially harmful. Also be sure to avoid certain seafood like sardines, anchovies, roe (fish eggs), mussels, codfish, herring, scallops, haddock and trout.

Do not drink beer if you are trying to avoid the gout as it increases your risk of the disease by almost 50 percent. In general, alcohol should be avoided.

Anything that isn't high in vitamin C can increase your risk. Stay away from are dried beans like peas and lentils, oatmeal, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Do not consume candy, soft drinks, syrup, fruit preserves like jam or jelly, or anything high in fructose corn syrup and sucrose if you have gout or want to avoid it.

What Plant-Based Food Has the Most Protein?

When you consume protein, your body creates more protein to support muscles and fuel your body. Most protein comes from animal products, but there are several plant-based proteins as well.

Soybeans are the richest source of plant-based protein. They provide 36g of protein for 3 1/2 servings. Soybeans can be consumed as soy milk, tofu or tempeh.

One cup of dry beans contains 16g of protein. Nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds, walnuts and ground flax seeds also contain up to 25g of protein per 3 1/2 servings.

Whole grains like quinoa are high in protein, and are often used to replace any product with wheat or gluten, like pasta and bread.

The American Dietetic Association claims that a plant-based protein diet is low in fat and cholesterol, which reduces heart-related disease, obesity and certain cancers. Additionally, it neutralizes the body's pH balance, which increases bone density. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, plant-based proteins are also rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that 10 to 35 percent of an individual's daily calorie intake come from protein. Adult women need 46g of protein a day, while adult men should get 56g of protein every day.

Selasa, 23 Juli 2013

How to Do the Body for Life Diet as a Vegan

Being a vegan is an admirable way to live life. You are taking care of your health while also helping animals and the environment. Doing commercial diet plans can sometimes be challenging on a vegan diet (it is impossible to be vegan on the Jenny Craig plan, for example). However, one mainstream diet that works perfectly for the vegan lifestyle is Body For Life!Here's how you can do it successfully as a vegan!

Instructions

Plan for your diet, and get the Body for Life journal. This will help keep a record of your vegan diet. You can write in the foods you ate, how it all made you feel and more. It's a great source of diet planning and it will hold you accountable as you go along this new journey!

Go food shopping! Planning in advance for your vegan diet is the way to set yourself up for success! You'll want to purchase complex carbohydrates, vegetables, a few choices for unsaturated oils for cooking and vegan proteins.

Choose your vegan proteins first! You can plan the rest of your meals around them. The program suggests healthy vegan proteins such as seitan, tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, and veggie burgers.

Pick healthy unsaturated oils for cooking, a great mix of complex carbohydrates (there are many possibilities including vegan pasta, squash, oatmeal, corn, and sweet potatoes) and some healthy vegetables (carrots, broccoli, and asparagus are just a few among dozens of possibilities). Don't forget bottled water!

Prepare to drink ten glasses of water per day on the Body For Life vegan diet.

Adjust any suggestions in the Body For Life books with vegan substitutes. The website itself is now vegan-friendly.

Senin, 22 Juli 2013

Vegan Diet for Colitis

Colitis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation of the colon that many people try to treat with expensive drugs or even surgery. Yet many doctors and patients are now finding that a simple change of diet could be the cure to this uncomfortable disease. In fact, a vegan diet may be the simplest and most effective way to deal with colitis symptoms. Add this to my Recipe Box.

A vegan diet helps relieve colitis symptoms by eliminating foods which aggravate the colon, according to Dr. David Klein the Director of the Colitis and Crohn's Health Recovery Center. High protein foods such as meats and dairy products are harder for the body to digest, says Dr. Klein. So if the colon cannot completely digest a particular food, the food ends up decomposing in the gut. The rotting food then releases toxins, which causes inflammation in the colon. A vegan diet allows the colon to flush out these toxins and recover, because vegans do not eat offending meat or dairy products.

Vegans do not eat any animal products--no meat, no seafood, no eggs and no dairy. However, there are certain foods vegans can eat which colitis sufferers should avoid. Eating a high-fiber diet is an excellent way to avoid getting colitis, once the condition is active, however, high-fiber foods should be avoided as they may be too harsh for the colon, says Dr. Patrick Donovan of Seattle. High-fiber foods include apples, bran flakes and beans. These foods can be re-entered into the diet as the colitis heals.

Other foods to avoid are those with a high-fructose content because these sugars could ferment in the bowel, says Dr. De Lamar Gibbons in his book "The Self-Help Way to Treat Colitis and Other IBS Conditions." Such foods include orange juice, pineapples, melons, jams, jellies and syrups.

Vegetable juice is an excellent way to start off a vegan colitis diet according to Dr. Donovan. A liquid diet of cabbage juice, leafy green vegetables, and fresh water algae are excellent for flushing out toxins. Vegetable broths and broths made from seaweed are also good for a colitis diet. After a few days of a liquid diet -- nuts, fruits and whole vegetables can re-enter the eating regimen. Fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin A and vitamin C are especially important when repairing the colon.

10 Day Liquid Diet

Liquid diets are popular for more than just losing weight. A 10-day liquid diet may improve your overall health by removing harmful toxins. By creating homemade juices and staying hydrated with plenty of water, you can safely complete a 10-day liquid diet without depleting your body of essential vitamins and nutrients.

When preparing for a 10-day liquid diet, you need to stock up on some important staples. You will need a juicer, as all of the juices you consume during your liquid diet will be homemade. Store-bought juices do not contain the same essential vitamins and nutrients as homemade juices. You will also want to buy a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. Strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapefruit, carrots, celery, cucumbers and spinach will make tasty, healthy juices. You can be creative in buying your juice ingredients since any fruit, vegetable or green that you would normally eat raw can be juiced.

Create a great-tasting smoothie to start your day by combining strawberries, oranges, grapefruit and bananas. This drink not only tastes delicious, but is also loaded with vital nutrients that will provide you with the energy you need in the morning.

For lunch, combine a variety of fruits and vegetables. Vegetable juices should compose the majority of the juices you create during your 10-day liquid diet. Vegetables are high in vitamins that will keep you healthy and energized throughout your diet. For example, mixi carrots, celery, cucumbers, strawberries and oranges in your juicer. The sweetness of fruits will balance the taste of the vegetables.

For dinner, it is important to add leafy greens to your juices. Spinach is vitamin-packed and doesn't carry too strong a flavor. Combine it with carrots and fruit. Like your liquid lunch, a bit of added fruit will offer sweetness to subdue the flavor of the greens.

At the end of your 10-day liquid diet, you should notice more than just weight loss. You should feel more energized and notice significant improvement in your digestive health. The 10-day juice fast will have detoxified your body and removed blockages from your colon.

The Fruit Diet to Lose Weight

Also known as The Fruit Flush Diet, this diet, created by personal trainer Jay Robb, promises that you'll lose up to 10 lb. in only three days. He recommends that you give your system a break from all other foods, and only eat fruit because it is the ideal detoxing food. However, you actually can eat foods other than fruit on the diet.

For the first day, drink 6 oz. of protein shake every two hours to get 100 to125 g of protein. You can choose your own protein powder, but it should not have any artificial colors, sweeteners (natural or artificial), casein, calcium caseinate or sodium caseinate. After each shake, drink 8 to 12 oz. of water. For dinner, you are allowed 3 to 6 cups of uncooked vegetables, with 1 to 2 tbsp. olive or 1/2 avocado (not both), plus half a lemon or lime. You can also have 3 to 6 oz. of lean protein or egg whites. On all three days, all sources of caffeine are forbidden, including coffee and tea. You cannot drink any alcohol or sodas (diet or regular). You must also refrain from all dairy, starches like bread and rice, cooked vegetables, juices, almost all fats and sweets. Dietary supplements like vitamins are discouraged.

On both days that follow, eat 100 calories of fresh fruit every two hours, and drink 8 to 12 oz. of water. (Rob claims that eating fruit every two hours stabilizes glucose levels, which is blood sugar.) For dinner each night, follow the guidelines from the first day: uncooked vegetables and a small amount of lean protein. On days two and three, consume 50 g or protein.

Robb admits that at least half of the weight you lose in three days comes from water, not fat, but he claims that the weight loss encourages you to develop a healthier lifestyle with more whole foods and exercise. However, as with all quick weight loss, the message is mixed: eat limited foods totaling around 900 calories a day, but then develop practical, healthy eating habits that you can maintain. In the end, you learn very little about nutrition and how to eat healthy, long-term. Detox diets like The Fruit Diet also push you body into a semi-starvation mode; after three days, there is a strong chance you will binge on all the foods that you miss.

Minggu, 21 Juli 2013

1-Month Diets

You have just 30 days to get ready for that class reunion, wedding or vacation of a lifetime. You may be wondering how you are going to proceed. Many of us decide we need to lose weight before a big event, which means we need to lose pounds fast. Some people also need to change their diet and find a one-month goal easier to focus on or manage. Whatever the motivation, select from several popular one-month diets.

Curves workout centers for women recommends a diet plan in conjunction with an exercise program to help women lose weight in 30 days. The Curves program teaches healthy eating habits and focuses on behavioral changes such as shopping for healthy foods, avoiding emotional eating and incorporating exercise into the daily routine. Dieters choose limiting carbohydrates to 20 g for two weeks and 60 g thereafter or limiting calories to 1,200 and 1,600 thereafter. With both programs, meals emphasize protein.

Those who want to change their habits may find commitment to a vegan diet for 30 days an easier shift into healthier foods. A vegan diet eliminates all animal-based products, limiting choices to plant-based foods. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans fill you up because of their high-fiber content, eliminating hunger. Giving up meat for one month gives you the chance to see if this is a diet you can stick to long term and generally causes weight loss during that month.

The popular hCG diet requires followers to inject or swallow human chorionic gonadotropin hormone and follow a strict diet for about 30 days (no more than 45). The hormone supposedly affects the hypothalamus and so speeds up metabolism and reduces hunger. Proponents claim dieters can lose several pounds a day on the hCG diet, making it a popular choice for people looking forward to specific events for which they need to drop some weight.

Medical experts point out that most 30-day diets do not create long-lasting weight loss. While dieters may lose pounds over the month, the loss often is due to the extreme calorie restriction rather than miracle drugs or pills. For instance, the hCG diet restricts calorie intake to 500 calories. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused by such diets may adversely affect your health as may the extreme weight loss because pounds may be shed from muscle rather than fat.

Sabtu, 20 Juli 2013

Vegan Breakfast Ideas

A vegan diet is completely plant based, and does not contain any animal products or animal byproducts. Meat, dairy, gelatin, honey and eggs are some examples of foods that are not consumed within a vegan diet. Vegans have to eat a wide variety of foods to obtain the essential vitamins, nutrients and proteins that they need to stay healthy. A vegan breakfast can be both nutritious and cruelty free using plant-based ingredients and soy-based substitutes, without sacrificing flavor. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Scrambled tofu closely resembles scrambled eggs, and can be eaten alone or inside of a breakfast burrito. To create a hearty scrambled tofu breakfast, combine crumbled tofu, diced bell peppers, minced onion, salt and pepper in a skillet. Cook on medium heat until the tofu crumbles are golden brown in color. Wrap the scramble in a flour tortilla for a vegan breakfast burrito.

A vegan friendly smoothie can be made using soy milk instead of cow milk. This is a very quick breakfast to throw together and can be made inexpensively each day. Simply combine 1 cup of soy milk, 1 banana cut into chunks and 1 cup of strawberries into a blender. Blend until smooth.

Like scrambled tofu, hashbrowns can be eaten alone or used to fill a vegan breakfast burrito. To make hashbrowns, grate 2 large potatoes into a bowl. In a medium sized skillet, combine 2 tbsp. oil and 1 small onion finely chopped. Saute the onion until soft and then add in the grated potatoes. Allow the potatoes to cook until tender.

French toast is a very popular breakfast item, but because it contains milk and eggs, regular french toast is not supported in the vegan diet. However, vegan friendly french toast is very easy to make. Combine 8 oz. of tofu, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp. maple syrup, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1 banana into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish. Dip slices of whole wheat bread into the mixture, and coat on both sides. Cook the tofu French toast on a non-stick pan until both sides are golden brown. Serve with fresh fruit or maple syrup.

Fruit & Protein Diet

Lose weight by eating a combination of fruit and protein for at least three days. The basis of this diet is to remove the toxins and bloated feeling through consuming only fruit and protein. Dieters can lose up to nine pounds during this three-day diet, but a strict routine of eating only fruit and protein must be followed for maximum results. Dieters consume plenty of protein shakes several times a day during the first day followed by eating fruit on day two and three.

Fruit is the main component of this diet because it's high in water, antioxidants, fiber and minerals. Fruit is low on the glycemic index of carbohydrates, which helps remove toxins from the system and improve overall energy levels.

Protein is another major player in making this diet work. You can have chicken, fish, eggs, whey protein powder, turkey and lean beef. Your body benefits from protein because of its amino acids which fuel muscle production. Lean muscle boosts metabolism.

Diet benefits include an increased motivation to begin and stick to a healthy new eating plan and a good way to flush the system before beginning a long term healthy diet. This diet can also help to reset the appetite to favor healthier foods.

The downside is that you shouldn't follow this diet if you have hypoglycemia or blood glucose imbalances. People are also hungry during the three days, which can make you crabby, tired and even lightheaded.

Fruit and protein dieters graze throughout the day on a variety of protein shakes, fruits and vegetables. On the first day you'll drink at least five protein shakes. Drink one shake every two hours. These protein shakes consist of whey protein powder, water and ice. You can have raw vegetables along with lean protein such as chicken and olive oil for dinner.

Begin introducing fruit on day two and three instead of your protein drinks. Eat a serving of fresh fruit every few hours and end the day with a similar meal as you had on day one.

Your protein drinks can come from any of the whey protein powders you find at the local health food or grocery store. Use one serving size for each drink and mix with water and ice.

Eat approximately one to two cups of diced fruit which includes strawberries, mangos, bananas and cantaloupe.

Your evening meal should consist of three to six cups of mixed raw vegetables, three to six ounces of lean protein and one tablespoon of olive oil.

21 Day Cleansing Diet

The 21 Day Cleansing Diet also is known as the Quantum Wellness Cleanse, created by health and wellness expert Kathy Freston. This cleanse gained mainstream attention when Oprah Winfrey endorsed the vegan detoxification program. The Quantum Wellness Cleanse allows you to surpass the wants of food and focus solely on the needs.

The 21 Day Cleanse focuses on healthy, wholesome foods and eliminates five staple foods from the diet. For three weeks, you are to give up alcohol, sugar, gluten, caffeine and animal products. Freston emphasizes conscious eating, being completely aware of what goes into our bodies, where it comes from and why we are consuming it. In an article in The Huffington Post, Freston says, "Sitting down to eat is an elemental part of every day and what we choose to put on our plate has repercussions not only for our physical well-being but also for our spiritual well-being."

The inherent and obvious benefits of the cleanse are to rid the body of toxins that build up due to bad habits, bad eating and pollutants in the environment. As these toxins build up, the energy required to naturally expel them takes it toll on the body, whereas a detoxification program eases the expelling process. Freston explains the benefits: "The cleanse delivers a fresh start. It's like a vacation, a reprieve from our old and tired ways...an opportunity to kick start a momentum of consciousness and healing."

Doctor Benjamin Kim of DrBenKim.com lists some of the best natural food for the cleansing process. These foods include: lettuce, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, carrots, onions, corn, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, pears, apples, bananas, mangoes, red beets, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, papaya, peaches, plums, nectarines, grapes, coconut, oranges, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Oprah.com lists a typical daily meal plan for the cleanse:

Breakfast
Gluten-free toast with natural peanut butter or almond butter and tea

Lunch
Quinoa with tofu and vegetable stir-fry
Salad with fresh vegetables

Snack
Soy yogurt with blueberries and almonds

Dinner
Soy burger
Salad with avocado
Lentil soup

It is best to slowly ease your way into the cleanse. The week prior to starting the cleanse, slowly ween yourself of caffeine, sugar and alcohol. An abrupt change in diet can cause extreme irritability, vomiting and fatigue. Consult your doctor before starting the cleansing program to ensure it is safe for your particular needs and lifestyle.

Kamis, 18 Juli 2013

Foods to Detox Colon

The human body is filled with toxins from the air, food and drink, daily hygiene products and household cleaning products. Toxins can cause stress to the organs and the degeneration of body tissues. Detoxifying the body can restore the body's health, stop diseases from developing and give a boost of energy. A diet of all natural foods and high-quality proteins is important for any detox treatment, but especially for the digestive system. The colon is a vital part of the digestive system because it improves the body's ability to absorb the vitamins and minerals consumed.

The colon absorbs nutrients into the body and helps the body to eliminate waste. It also enhances the functioning of the immune system. A high fiber diet is beneficial to colon detox because it removes toxins and mucus from the colon to prevent unhealthy build-up of plaque. Symptoms of colon issues are bloating, sluggishness, fatigue and constipation.

A high fiber diet is generally recommended. You should include leafy green vegetables, watercress, broccoli sprouts and cabbage. Fruits are also good for a high fiber diet. Other foods beneficial to colon detox are lemons, garlic and sesame seeds or tahini paste. Organic foods are recommended over conventionally grown foods.
Green tea and water are important beverages to consume while detoxing the colon to help the body from getting dehydrated. The green tea also contains antioxidants beneficial to detox. Consuming alkaline-producing foods will ensure proper nutrition for the body.

Alkalizing minerals can be beneficial to the body during colon detox. These types of foods are not acidic, which aids the body in regulating its pH level. Alkalizing minerals are calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. Minerals consumed from alkalizing foods will help to reduce the amount of mucoid plaque build-up in the colon.

When detoxing, do not use alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and other drugs. Stay away from saturated fats and refined sugars. Also avoid consuming processed and acid-producing foods. The main minerals contained in acid-producing foods are sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine. These can be bad for the colon, causing mucoid plaque to build up, and will not help with the detox process.

A healthy colon can give you an energy boost and clear up acne problems on the skin. Colon detox can give you a boost of energy and make all of the bodily systems run more efficiently. Once the colon has been detoxified, the body can better absorb vitamins and minerals from food, and consumed drinks.

7-Day Mayo Clinic Diet

According to a study conducted at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 86 percent of Americans will be overweight or obese by the year 2030. Numerous diet plans have been proposed to combat the growing obesity problem in the United States. One such diet plan is the 7 day Mayo Clinic Diet.

Numerous versions of a "Mayo Clinic diet" have circulated around the Internet over the past few years. This has created confusion, as many people believe that the "Mayo Clinic diet" is associated with the not-for-profit medical practice known as the Mayo Clinic. This is not, however, the case. The Mayo Clinic has never endorsed or described a particular diet. Rather, the Mayo Clinic has discussed approaches to healthy eating and lifestyle changes that can result in healthy weight loss. This is discussed below.

According to Every Diet, an online database that lists various diets, the 7 day Mayo Clinic Diet requires that you adhere to the following schedule. On Monday, eat as much fruit and fruit juices as possible, except bananas. On Tuesday, eat all the vegetables desired. On Wednesday, eat both fruit and vegetables. On Thursday, eat 5 bananas and drink 5 glasses of whole milk. On Friday, eat 4 steaks (3 oz. each) with unlimited green vegetables. On Saturday, eat 4 steaks (3 oz. each). On Sunday, eat 4 steaks (3 oz. each) with unlimited green vegetables. It's worth repeating that the Mayo Clinic has gone out of its way to state that it does not endorse this diet. Moreover, it is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor or dietitian before beginning a diet such as this one.

The Mayo Clinic has created a Healthy Weight Pyramid that it recommends you use to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The Mayo Clinic points out that there should be no severe restrictions or extreme hunger involved in a diet. Moreover, the Mayo Clinic recommends that any diet should be coupled with exercise. The Mayo Clinic notes that by following the Healthy Weight Pyramid and remaining physically active every day, you can safely lose weight at a pace of 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Rabu, 17 Juli 2013

Raw-Food Vegetarian Diet

Give your body a boost of energy and vitality by eating a raw-foods diet. A diet primarily of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds will cleanse your body of toxins, help you lose weight and improve mental clarity.

A green salad is the mainstay of the raw vegetarian diet.

The humble salad becomes the star of the show in a raw-vegetable diet. Green vegetables make up the bulk of the diet, and provide oxygen-rich chlorophyll, in addition to antioxidants, minerals, vitamin K and fiber. An innovative way to get your greens in the morning is to make a smoothie made of fresh baby spinach, frozen berries, two bananas and some fresh orange juice.

Carrot juice is packed with vitamin A for healthy skin and eyes.

Another key component is juicing. Drinking a glass of fresh vegetable juice is like getting an infusion of vitamins. The fiber has been removed, so your body doesn't have to work hard to get the nutrients. Green juices provide your body with antioxidants, minerals and oxygen. Fruit juices should be diluted and used in moderation, since they are higher in natural sugars.

Raw-food advocates claim they get their protein from raw nuts and seeds. Nut butters, nut milks, pates, desserts and raw, dehydrated crackers are made from nuts and sometimes seeds.

Gout Purine Diet

Gout is a form of arthritis ,which may cause joint tenderness and occurs when the human body absorbs too much uric acid produced within the bloodstream. Purines may be located primarily in animal protein and converted into uric acid within the body. A gout purine diet allows for managing your health condition by recommending food low in purines ,while minimizing high-purine foods and drinks.

A gout diagnosis may include your physician creating and monitoring a customized gout diet plan. The physician may consider your current medical history and medications to ensure that you will obtain a good balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

A gout diet plan may be combined with gout medications or it may be used separately. It depends on the severity of your gout symptoms. If your symptoms are classified as mild, a gout purine diet plan may help reduce your medical symptoms without medications or a stricter diet.

Your dietary intake of animal proteins may be reduced by limiting pork, eel and organ meats such as kidney. Limit your caloric intake of animal proteins to once or twice weekly. For example, eat a light breakfast of plain muffins without butter or seeds and one slice of turkey bacon instead of three or four slices. A purine diet is based on diet modification to help reduce your gout symptoms and it allows for an occasional treat.

Or, enjoy lunch by eating a plate filled with 2 oz. of fresh fish, a plain biscuit and a seasoned potato instead of a plate of mackerel with buttered cornbread topped with blueberry jam. You will still enjoy tasty meals daily ,but reduce your intake of foods high in purines.

Speak with your physician about which beverages are acceptable and unacceptable for your gout purine diet. For instance, increasing your water intake may help remove uric acid levels from your body, while allowing your body to keep hydrated. However, your physician may recommend avoiding alcohol.

Plan on visiting your physician as recommended to maintain your gout diet. The doctor make adjust your diet if you are not complying and give you a strict diet such as no meats or no alcohol. Your physician requires your cooperation with your diet to keep your health condition stable.

Gout may cause health challenges. A gout purine diet may help reduce your symptoms by understanding and following your physician's customized diet plan ,which may include reducing your intake of animal proteins and increasing the amount of healthy beverages.

Selasa, 16 Juli 2013

How to Juice Fast Cleanse and Detox

A juice fast has been widely seen as a good way to cleanse and detoxify your liver, beneficial

Instructions

A juice fast is accomplished by avoiding solid food for a period of time and taking in just fresh juice. Usually people will do a juice fast for 1 to 3 days. Do not do longer extremes without getting medical advice. Avoid a detoxifying juice fast if you are pregnant or nursing, on medications, or diabetic. Also do not put young children on a juice fast. If you have questions consult your physician before you begin a juice fast of any length.

Do not eat solid food but sip 32 to 64 ounces of juice in small amounts throughout the day. Drink 6 to 8 full 8 ounce glasses of water during the day in addition to the juices. The water will help flush toxins out of your system.

Most types of fresh juice can be used in a juice fast. Fruit and vegetables can be juiced at home or buy juice. Go with 100% juice and not sugary juice drinks. Many recommend organic juice. Carrot juice and beet juice are seen as very beneficial. Avoid citrus juices. Grapefruit juice has been tested as a juice that will strengthen and interfere with many prescription medications. Some studies link pomegranate juice to similar effects on medication.

A juice fast is supposed to give your digestive tract and stomach a rest and allow the energy used for digestion to help your body heal and eliminate built up toxins. When you finish your juice fast high fiber cereals and high fiber fruit and vegetables are helpful in binding with toxins and removing them from your system.

There are health food store detoxifying remedies. Most use fiber to help your system as well as herbs and other agents to detoxify. A juice fast is a less expensive way to do the same type of cleanse in a more natural fashion. Be aware you will probably need to use the restroom more frequently due to the amount of liquid. Juice may also have a laxative effect. If you take beet juice make sure you remember what that looks like later when you use the restroom or you may see red colored water and panic. Beet juice is a very efficient coloring agent and dye. It will make your stools bleed red and have sent more than one person into panic mode.

Lemon Detox Diets

The lemon detox diet is designed to detoxify the body by cleaning out the colon. While some people use the lemon diet as a method of losing weight, its main function is to internally cleanse the body. While those who seek to lose weight may be disappointed with the actual amount of weight lost, people who seek to detoxify their bodies are usually pleased with the results. The ingredients of the lemon detox diet both cleanse the body and supply nutrients. The diet is relatively simple to follow and can be done inexpensively.

The lemon detox diet is a liquid food diet. It can be done in a few ways. Some people do the diet one day a week, while others follow a seven-day plan for deep cleaning. During the diet the only sustenance is the lemon detox drink. The drink is made with lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. This drink is taken throughout the day whenever a person feels hungry. The lemon detox is not designed for long-term dieting. It is a short diet that really cleans out the system. By eliminating the accumulated fecal matter that is in the colon, the body is able to perform at optimum levels. Having too many toxins in the body can cause disease and impedes the body's ability to self-clean. All that waste also interferes with the proper functioning of other systems in the body. If these harmful wastes are not removed, they are reabsorbed by the body.

The lemon detox diet has just three ingredients -- lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and, of course, water. It is suggested on LemonDetox.com that 60 ounces of the detox drink be taken each day of the diet. Making the drink once in the morning is a good idea. For each 8 ounces of cold or hot water, add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and just a pinch of cayenne pepper. The syrup should not be the kind you find in the supermarket, but instead Madal Bal tree syrup or organic maple syrup. Madal Bal is a special kind of syrup made from maple and palm trees. Both syrups can be purchased online or in health food stores.

The lemons contain citric acid which helps to clean out the digestive tract. Lemons are also a good source of vitamin C, a known antioxidant. Vitamin C is also good at fighting infections. The Madal Bal tree syrup provides nutrients for the body such as important minerals. The glucose or sugars in the Madal Bal and organic maple syrup create energy so the dieter can continue normal body functions. The cayenne pepper is a stimulant. The pepper increases metabolism and circulation. The ingredients work together to bring about bowel movements that remove debris and waste from the colon. The syrup also adds a sweet taste to the liquid food.

Senin, 15 Juli 2013

How to Switch to a Vegan Diet for Weight Loss

Switching to a vegan diet is becoming easier to the abundance of vegan products now available in the market. Because these vegan substitutes are usually lower in calories and just as nutritious (if not more) than their animal counterpart, one can lose weight on a vegan diet. In fact, the book "The V-Diet Plan" cites a European study that showed vegans not only weigh less, but have a faster metabolism.

Instructions

Try soy, rice, almond or even hemp milk instead of regular milk. If you love cereal, you do not have to go without. Instead of 2% milk, try a dairy-free alternative which is fortifies with calcium and vitamin D. These types of milk can just as easily be used for baking and cooking, too.

Sample dairy-free ice cream. Though soy and rice ice cream was unavailable or found only in obscure places in the early 2000s, dairy-free ice cream is now shelved in many grocery chains. Most sorbets are naturally dairy-free, provided they only contain fruit, sugar and ice.

Buy soy cheese as well. Note: naturalnews.com warns that several brands of soy cheeses contain "casein," which is a dairy derivative. The quantity of this animal product is in quite a small, though strict vegans will not eat it for animal rights reasons. For weight loss and health purposes, however, soy cheese still contains no cholesterol and tends to be fewer calories than regular cheese.

Experiment with tofu. Tofu is bland and mushy, but so is raw meat. The flavor and taste of both items depends on how it is seasoned and prepared. Tofu can be baked, fried, or grilled. Tofu is packed with protein and isoflavones.

Grill some veggie patties. Veggie burgers are offered in many restaurants and can also be bought at the store. While pricier than meat, veggie burgers contain fewer calories, no cholesterol, and less fat with respect to a ground beef patty.

Seek a vegan alternative to your favorite meat. Even stuffed chicken breasts are available in vegan substitutes. Other vegan substitutes are bacon, sausage, shredded beef, ground beef, turkey slices, ribs, and chicken patties.

Watch the junk food and carb intake. In place of meat, overloading on carbohydrates like bread and pasta may be one reaction. Keep within the recommended value of carbs to avoid unnecessary weight gain. The book, "Vegan Freak" explains the label "vegan" does not guarantee a low weight. Some vegans are overweight due to poor dieting choices. Vegan cookies, for example, are often higher in fat and calories than regular cookies. In addition, vegans can still eat a wide variety of junk foods like potato chips, French fries, and sugary candy like licorice and gummy bears.

Eat fruits and vegetables. Find ways to add in fruits and vegetables to your diet. Substitute fruit for dairy-based desserts like cake, and order a side of vegetables instead of mashed potatoes with butter.

Avoid deficiencies. Without proper planning, vegans can become deficient in vitamin B12, protein, iron and calcium. Plant-based sources exist that contain these nutrients, like nutritional yeast flakes, spirulina, and even leafy greens, but while transitioning, consider taking a supplement.

Minggu, 14 Juli 2013

Low-Fat Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet

A low-fat, whole foods plant-based diet, also known as a low-fat whole foods vegan diet, has been popularized by Dr. John McDougall, author of The McDougall Program, and Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live. On both plans, the dieter adopts a totally vegan diet and concentrates on eating naturally low-fat whole foods. The diets center around eating fruits, legumes, whole grains and vegetables. McDougall and Fuhrman advocate this type of diet for weight loss and to obtain maximum health.

A vegan diet excludes all foods made of or by animals. All meats including poultry, fish and seafood, all dairy products, eggs and animal byproducts such as lard and gelatin are abstained from on a vegan diet. The diet consists of plant-based foods such as grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, vegetarian meat substitutes, soy products such as tofu and soy milk, other dairy substitutes and oils.

Whole foods are foods containing all of their nutrients naturally provided by Mother Nature. Whole foods have not been processed or refined, and they do not contain synthetic, artificial or lab-created ingredients. Nothing has been added to them, either, including fiber or protein. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice or oatmeal, nuts and legumes are examples of whole foods.

Processed foods, conversely, are foods that do not look as though they could be found in nature "as is." Prepackaged foods such as frozen dinners and canned soups, all purpose flour, refined sugar, anything with trans fats or high fructose corn syrup, junk food, artificial sweeteners, sodas, "diet" foods like Weight Watchers bars and SnackWell's cookies and store-bought juices are examples of processed foods.

The McDougall program completely eliminates fats. Salt is also severely restricted, with only small amounts allowed to make food more palatable. On the plan, the dieter can eat unlimited whole grains such as oats, barley, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat couscous, vegetables and legumes. However, all nuts and seeds are banned, and fruit is limited to two servings per day. For maximum weight loss, Dr. McDougall also recommends reducing the consumption of soy products.

The Eat to Live program eliminates fats and all foods containing flours until the individual reaches an ideal weight. On the plan, the dieter eats an unlimited amount of non-starchy vegetables with slight restrictions on the consumption of fruits, grains and legumes. On the diet, it is recommended that 1 pound of salad and other raw vegetables be eaten every day with 1 pound of cooked non-starchy vegetables, four servings of fruit, 1 cup of starchy vegetables and whole grains, 1 cup of legumes, 1 ounce of nuts and 1 tablespoon of flax seeds. Once an ideal weight is reached, unprocessed fats and foods with whole wheat flours may be added back into the diet but must be consumed sparingly.

Studies suggest that a low-fat vegan diet based on whole foods can aid in weight loss, help with diabetes, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. For example, a study by Stanford University suggests that a low-fat vegan diet has twice the cholesterol-lowering power of omnivorous low-fat diet. Similarly, a study done at George Washington University revealed that eating a low-fat vegan diet helps individuals better manage type 2 diabetes. A study performed at University of Massachusetts Medical School revealed that a low-fat vegan diet slows cancer growth, and similar results were discussed by T. Colin Campbell in The China Study.

Dr. Kerrie Saunders also published the "Vegan Diet As Chronic Disease Prevention: Evidence Supporting the New Four Food Groups," which explores numerous scientific studies and evidence that suggests eating meat and dairy causes disease and, conversely, observing a vegan diet will prevent and cure diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many others. Most recently, research done by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn suggested that a fat-free vegan diet can prevent and reverse heart disease.

A balanced vegan diet will provide the body with all of its nutritional needs. However, a poorly planned diet may result in deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. Therefore, it is important that any individual on a vegan diet eat a wide variety of fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables to ensure adequate nutrition.

The Ancestral Diet

The Ancestral diet, more commonly known as the Paleo diet, refers to a way of eating that is reminiscent of the way our ancestors, the caveman, ate some 10,000 years ago, before the start of the agricultural revolution.

In 1975, gastroenterologist Walter Voegtlin published the "Stone Age Diet," in which he argued that humans are primarily carnivores and designed to eat a meat-heavy diet low in carbs. The premise was introduced to the masses again in the mid-1980s through a paper published in the "New England Journal of Medicine." Those authors later wrote the book, "The Paleolithic Prescription," that took Voegtlin's initial concept and modified it to include some foods that were not available in the Paleo diet. In 2002, an exercise physiologist named Loren Cordain published the popular "The Paleo Diet" and later "The Paleo Diet for Athletes."

According to followers of the Paleo diet, Neanderthals ate a diet rich in meat, fruits, vegetables and other foods found in nature. The agricultural and industrial revolutions changed how humans ate and introduced more carbs plus processed, artificial, high-calorie, high-fat and high-sugar foods. As a result, incidences of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer grew. These problems did not exist in the Paleo era. By eating the foods people are genetically geared to eat, they become naturally lean and can reduce disease.

The Paleo diet emphasizes protein, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. The diet allows lean meats including lean cuts of beef, extra lean hamburger, lean pork and lean cuts of poultry, game meat like elk or bison, fish and shellfish, nuts and seeds, eggs, fruits and most vegetables. Oils like olive oil, diet soda, coffee, tea and alcohol are allowed in moderation.

The diet does not allow dairy as the caveman did not have the capacity to milk animals and therefore did not consume it. Cereals and grains also are not allowed because these food items were not introduced until the agricultural revolution. Other forbidden foods include beans and legumes and starchy vegetables like potatoes that proponents argue have been genetically modified since the caveman days. Fatty meats like bacon, soft drinks, fruit juices, sweets and any processed food also should be avoided.

The Paleo diet consists of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables as well as whole, unprocessed foods and healthy fats making it high in nutrients and void of artificial ingredients. Some research has shown that this method of eating does lead to weight loss and other health improvements. A 2009 study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that the diet improved blood pressure and blood sugar in subjects in just a short amount of time. Conrad also argues that the Paleo diet can help clear skin and improve athletic performance.

The Paleo diet can be a huge adjustment as it eliminates grains and dairy. It can be difficult to find or prepare meals without these food groups. As with any low-carb diet, there are possible side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, a high protein followed for a long period of time can eventually result in kidney damage as your body cannot eliminate the waste it needs to, or heart problems from increased consumption of red meat.

7-Day Diet Plan for Heart Surgery Patients

Following a heart-healthy diet is important for everyone, but it is crucial for patients who will be undergoing heart surgery in the near future. Following a seven-day diet plan that includes heart-healthy choices can help patients enter surgery in the best possible health, which may reduce complications during and after the procedure. Always follow your doctor's instructions and advice related to your diet and other lifestyle choices.

Make healthy food choices when following a seven-day diet plan prior to heart surgery. The best diet for most heart surgery patients is one that is low in salt, saturated fat and cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. The University of Southern California suggests a diet with less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day for heart surgery patients. Patients with other medical conditions, such as diabetes, may need to modify their diet plans further to include foods low in sugar.

Choose fresh, canned or frozen fruits that do not contain added sugar. Fresh and frozen vegetables are heart-healthy options as well. Canned vegetables often contain added salt, so always check the labels. Avoid fatty cuts of meat. Choose fresh or frozen fish, poultry without the skin and lean cuts of pork and beef. Unsalted peanut butter, tofu, dried beans and unsalted nuts are excellent sources of protein for patients who choose to avoid meat.

Limit caffeinated beverages and drink fruit juices without added sugar, low-sodium vegetable juices, lemonade and soy milk instead. Avoid high-fat dairy products and cooking oils. Try low-fat yogurt and cheeses, such as skim mozzarella, for calcium. Choose low-fat salad dressings and unsalted margarine instead of fatty dressings and sauces and butter. Use natural herbs to flavor cooking instead of dressings and sauces with high sodium and fat content.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2007 study found that people who consumed a Mediterranean diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish reduced their risk of death from heart disease and cancer. Some heart surgery patients may benefit greatly from adapting a Mediterranean diet prior to their surgery dates.

The Mediterranean diet includes about nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day and little to no red meat. The diet consists of a lot of fish, high in omega-3 fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol. Avoid fried fish and choose grilled instead. Choose olive oil over canola oil or vegetable oil for cooking when following a Mediterranean diet. Use fresh herbs for flavor instead of salt. Choose whole-wheat versions of bread and pasta. The Mediterranean diet often includes a glass of red wine every day for its antioxidant properties and its ability to help reduce the blood's ability to clot. Check with your doctor before including wine in your seven-day program, as he may want you to avoid alcohol prior to surgery.

Sabtu, 13 Juli 2013

The Best Dry Food for Retired Greyhounds

Adopting a retired racing greyhound is a great way to save a wonderful dog while gaining a lifelong companion. Families who are planning to adopt an ex-racer frequently have a lot of questions, including what type of food to feed their new companions. Fortunately, keeping a greyhound in tip-top shape is not difficult -- or expensive.

The good news is that retired racing greyhounds do not require special diets or expensive foods. In fact, greyhounds will thrive on a good dry food, and that food does not have to be expensive. Greyhound adoption organizations recommend that greyhounds be fed a diet of dry food, and not more costly canned food, once they have left the track and settled into life as a pampered pet.

That is because the nutrient-dense soft food greyhounds eat during their racing career can be very hard on their teeth. Switching the retired greyhound to a crunchy dry food will help mitigate the damage and prevent further erosion of the tooth enamel.

Every dog owner has his or her favorite brand of food. If you already have a dog that is thriving on the dry food of your choice, chances are your new family member will do just as well. An ongoing survey of greyhound owners at Greytalk.com found that food choices were all over the board. The food choices listed on the survey ranged from the most inexpensive store brands to the most costly specialty brands. This survey began in October 2005, but new greyhound owners continue to weigh in on their favorite brands of dog food. These survey results seem to bear out the idea that retired racing greyhounds adapt quite well to their new dry food diet. Greyhound lovers who want to keep track of the ongoing survey results can check them out at http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=202031.

Although no one brand had an overwhelming majority, a good number of greyhound owners reported feeding their dogs Kirkland brand food, followed closely by the specialty Canidae brand. Other popular choices among greyhound owners included Nutro, Purina ProPlan and Iams.

Although the majority of retired racing greyhounds do quite well on traditional dry foods, some dogs have special digestive needs. Retired racers can sometimes be a bit nervous until they settle in to their new surroundings, and that nervousness may manifest itself in digestive problems. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may benefit from diet dog foods and food designed for senior dogs. These specialty foods are lower in fat and higher in fiber than traditional dog food formulas, making them a good choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Fit and Trim, Nutro Weight Control and Iams Senior are all good choices.

Pages

Selasa, 30 Juli 2013

The Facts

Specific Foods

Warning

Medicinal Treatments

Nutrient Power

Future Benefits

Gout Diet

Water

Home Remedies

Senin, 29 Juli 2013

Defining "High Protein"

Keeping Things Healthy

Other Tidbits

Instructions

Eggs

Dairy

Lean Meats

Beans

Minggu, 28 Juli 2013

Importance

Vegetables and Grains

Dairy

Meats

Lifestyle

Considerations

Instructions

Sabtu, 27 Juli 2013

Crackers

Sorbet

Bread

Fresh Fruit

Milk

Protein Diet History

Protein Diet Plan

Protein Diets and Water

Protein Diets and Ketosis

Summary

Purpose

Good Liver Detox Foods and Beverages

Bad Liver Detox Foods and Beverages

Jumat, 26 Juli 2013

Instructions

Kamis, 25 Juli 2013

Instructions

Rabu, 24 Juli 2013

Drink to your health

As seen on Oprah

Berry delicious

AAA juice

Talk to your doctor

Features

Function

Types

Effects

Considerations

Meat and Fish

Drinks

Other Foods

Soybeans

Beans, Nuts and Seeds

Whole Grains

Benefits

Expert Insight

Selasa, 23 Juli 2013

Instructions

How to Do the Body for Life Diet as a Vegan

Senin, 22 Juli 2013

Why a Vegan Diet is Good for Curing Colitis

Vegan Foods Colitis Sufferers Should Avoid

Vegan Foods Colitis Sufferers Should Focus On

Go Shopping

Liquid Breakfast

Liquid Lunch

Liquid Dinner

Ending the Juice Diet

Day One

Days Two and Three

Health Risks