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Sabtu, 31 Agustus 2013

Muscle Supplements for Dogs

If your dog is accustomed to extreme physical work, depends on his appearance or is in recovery from a past illness, he will require prime nutrition to maintain great health and fitness. Using supplements can help your dog build muscle and strength when added to the proper diet and exercise regimen.

The Facts

    There are some precautions about adding supplements to your dog's diet. The most important is that no supplement should be used without complete support from your veterinarian. But they can be very beneficial. Building good quality muscle is important for your dog's overall health and helps keep his weight balanced, since muscle uses energy while at rest as well as while working

Types

    Muscles are made from amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Start by feeding your dog high-quality food that contains good protein his digestive system can easily use.

    Amino acid complexes, especially those containing B vitamins, are a good way to add high-quality protein to your dog's diet. Use a formulation especially for dogs; human formulations can contain ingredients your dog can't use and might upset his digestive system.

    Rice bran oil has recently become a supplement added to canine diets to build muscle tissue. Keep in mind that it is a plant-based steroid, so your pet may test positive for steroid use if he is in competitions while taking this supplement. Rice bran oil should be given in concentrated liquid form; powders and capsules might pass right through your dog without being absorbed.

Benefits

    Even if your dog is not a super athlete, the stress of travel, shows and recovering from illness can be lessened by muscle supplements. There are health benefits beyond just enhancing musculature--your dog's immune, digestive and circulatory systems can benefit from the extra protein, vitamins and minerals.

    Joint health is vital to overall health, too. Stronger muscles improve the function of joints, reducing arthritic symptoms and the chance of injury. Just as with humans, a good physique usually means a healthier body overall.

Expert Insight

    Strength training helps your dog perform all types of athletic feats, even if they do not directly involve muscle strength. Strength training involves bursts of speed or energy such as retrieving, jumping and physical play. It is important your dog has adequate muscle development to perform these intense activities and reduce the risk of lasting injury.

Warning

    It is extremely unhealthy to give your dog steroids. Steroids have the same effects on canine health as they do in humans, so do not compromise your dog's life by giving him steroids--unless they are prescribed by a veterinarian for an underlying health condition.

Misconceptions

    Muscle supplements will not cause explosive growth in your dog's physique. Only the proper types of exercise will develop muscle groups. Supplements simply make it easier for your dog to develop and maintain the muscles that grow through exercise and good nutrition.

Meat Free Diet Plan

Meat Free Diet Plan

People eat a meat-free diet for many reasons. Some believe a meat-free diet is healthier than one containing meat. Others do not want to kill animals. They eat other sources of protein as well as fruits, vegetables and grains.

Dairy Products

    Some people that follow a meat-free diet plan also avoid dairy products, but others use a variety of dairy foods. Dairy products are a good source of protein and include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and other cheeses.

Beans

    Beans, including kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans and black beans, provide a good source of protein and fiber. People that follow a meat-free diet plan utilize beans in a variety of dishes including soups, casseroles, stews and chili.

Soy Proteins

    Soy beans, tofu and other soy products offer another good source of protein. You can purchase veggie burgers and other meat substitutes made from soy. Available products include soy crumbles that resemble ground beef, soy hotdogs, soy sausages and a chicken-like product made from soy.

Food Sensitivity Elimination Diets

A food sensitivity, or intolerance, is an exaggerated physiologic response to a substance contained in certain foods you eat. Many times the culprit substance is a glycoprotein, but you could also be sensitive to certain food additives. A food sensitivity is slightly different from a food allergy. With an allergy there's an actual immunologic response when the intolerable substance is ingested. Antibodies and histamines are released into the system to attack the benign "invader," resulting in an allergic reaction. With food sensitivities the response is either metabolic or idiosyncratic.

Common Food Sensitivities

    Celiac Disease, which is an intolerance to gluten (a naturally occurring protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats), effects 1 in every 113 Americans. Ninety-five percent of celiac suffers either go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with other disorders.

    Lactose Intolerance, not to be confused with a milk allergy, affects up to three quarters of the world's population. It is characterized by the inability to digest the sugary substance found in dairy products known as lactose.

    Yeast sensitivity, also known as candida, affects up to 35 percent of the world's population. It's indicated by a history of yeast infections. Any substance that weakens the immune system can set off a yeast infection. Unlike other food intolerances, yeast sensitivities are generally temporary.

Symptoms

    Food sensitivities symptoms are wide ranging and may include one ore any combination of: bloating, itching, flatulence, headaches, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, lethargy, muscle or joint aches, irritability, skin problems such as rashes, hives or eczema, mouth ulcers, inexplicable weight gain or loss, infertility problems and malabsorption problems which can cause malnourishment disorders such as anemia.

Diagnosis

    Most food intolerances and allergies are identified using a method known as an elimination diet. It's a process that involves eliminating certain foods from your diet and monitoring yourself to see if your symptoms subside. Then you systematically reintroduce these foods back into your diet, observing your body's response in order to pinpoint which foods you may be sensitive or allergic to.

Elimination

    Before beginning an elimination diet, you should consult with your doctor first.

    To begin the process, make a written note of the symptoms you are experiencing before you begin eliminating foods from your diet. Then over the course of the next seven to 30 days (or until symptoms subside) abstain from eating any food that contains wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, corn or food preservatives or additives. This will mean abstaining from take out or fast foods, as well as most processed foods. You're going to have to read nutritional labels very carefully to ensure that they do not contain any of these banned ingredients. Keep a food diary of what you do eat. This may include fresh vegetables, fruits other than citrus, rice (and rice products such as rice milk), meats (with the exception of hot dogs and luncheon meat), and so on. Once symptoms have subsided, you begin the reintroduction phase of the diet which involves bringing the eliminated foods back into your diet to test your body's reaction to them. You do not do this all at once, however, but one per day at a time. No. 2 eliminated foods should be reintroduced back into your diet at the same time. For example, on day 1 of reintroduction you might bring wheat back into your diet. In your diary record any symptoms you may experience. On day 2 you once again eliminate wheat from your diet and reintroduce dairy.

Wheatgrass Detox Diet

When searching the market for effective detox diets, as with any eating plan, it stands to reason that some may work better than others. Effective detox diets use the highest quality, naturally proven detoxifying agents to help you with your weight loss and rejuvenation goals. Thanks to its superior nutritional profile and beneficial effects on the colon, wheatgrass can be a helpful addition any detox plan.

Detox Diets

    Detox diets vary widely, both in duration and in composition. A detox plan can last as little as a day or longer than a month, but all plans have the same goal---to rid your body of contaminants, restoring your health and helping you to shed some unwanted weight. The foods consumed during a detox are specifically chosen for their nutritional content and ability to purge the body of unwanted toxins.

Wheatgrass

    Wheatgrass is a naturally occurring substance that has powerful effects on the body. Primarily enjoyed because of its high quantity of chlorophyll---a substance noted for its detoxifying effects on the body by Dr. Linda Page, N.D., and Dr. Thelma Arthur, M.D.---wheatgrass has long been a staple food for health-conscious individuals. Wheatgrass contains vitamins A, B, C and E, along with potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium, reports JuiceItUp.com, helping your body to meet its nutritional requirement even while on a restrictive detox plan.

Sample Wheatgrass Detox

    Incorporating a daily shot or two of wheatgrass can bolster your intake of vitamins and minerals while helping to cleanse your body of years of abuse via consumption of processed foods. Try adding one shot of wheatgrass in the morning and another at night during your chosen detox to boost the health benefits. To mask the flavor, wheatgrass can be blended with fruits and vegetables to produce a more palatable drink.

Benefits

    According to the American Cancer Society, consumption of wheatgrass has been linked symptom reduction in people suffering from colitis, which is a condition affecting the bowels. This indicates that wheatgrass has beneficial, soothing effects on the digestive system, which can ease your body's reaction to detoxification efforts. Additionally, as a nutrient-dense food, wheatgrass can provide your body with adequate nutrition without overloading it with calories.

Considerations

    Wheatgrass will work best as part of a balanced detox plan, and should not be used as a stand-alone item. In other words, do not plan a prolonged fast around nothing more than wheatgrass. Dietitian Kari Glassman recommends a balanced approach to detoxing, using a plan rich in foods like chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables---adding a few daily shots of wheatgrass to this mix amplifies the nutritional benefits. The combination of wheatgrass and other nutrient-dense foods, along with advice from your health care provider, will offer you the best chance of completing a safe and healthy detox.

Food for Gout Patients

Most gout patients will tell you that proper diet is imperative when it comes to their health and well being. Because there are so many foods that are gout friendly, there is no reason that gout sufferers can't truly enjoy their meals.

Cherry Juice

    Although not yet clinically proven, cherry juice may reduce uric acid levels in the body. Many health food stores stock cherry capsules, for those who are not fond of the actual fruit.

Other Liquids

    Because liquids are very beneficial in the removal of uric acid from the body, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. Water is especially helpful; coffee, tea, juice and carbonated beverages are also acceptable.

Low-Fat Dairy Products

    Low fat dairy foods that work well as part of a gout diet include: milk, a variety of cheeses, eggs and even yogurt. The more dairy products consumed, the less risk of severe symptoms.

Oily or Fatty Foods

    Oily foods and those high in fatty acids can be consumed as part of a gout diet; good examples are flax seeds, salmon, nuts and olive oils. These foods may help to reduce swelling, as well.

What to Avoid

    Avoid seafood, beer and other types of alcohol, dried beans, asparagus, mushrooms, pork, beef, organ meats and meat-based gravies. Many of these items are high in purine, which causes gout symptoms and pain to worsen.

Kamis, 29 Agustus 2013

Paleo Diet for Athletes

There are many types of diets marketed towards athletes. One of the newer and popular ones is the Paleo Diet. The Paleo Diet has been formulated by doctors and trainers, and claims to be a healthy diet for athletes.

Paleo Diet

    The basis of the Paleo Diet is to consume the foods humans are most biologically adapted to. The Paleo Diet gets its name from the Paleolithic period of human civilization. During this period, humans consumed mostly lean meats and vegetables. Carbohydrates like wheat and rice were not invented; therefore, they are not included in the diet. Dr. Loren Condain, author of "The Paleo Diet for Athletes," stipulates that human beings are genetically programmed to flourish on the hunter-gatherer type of diet (Paleolithic-era diet). An athlete on this diet is believed to flourish because food digested is designed to promote peak human bodily performance.

Lean Protein

    The Paleo Diet promotes the consumption of lean meats, those that contain less fat. For example, chicken breast is a lean meat. Lean red meats include cuts with less of the marble effect, which is when you see the white fat mixed with the red meat. These cuts include, but are not limited to, sirloin, strip steak, top round and T-bone. Chicken eggs are a highly recommended food choice on the Paleo Diet. Ideally, the eggs come from organically raised chickens. The high protein in the Paleo Diet is good for athletes, as protein is used to repair stressed muscles. The lean meats provide healthy protein with little fat. Seafood is a very healthy and important aspect of this diet. Seafood provides lean protein, and salmon, a highly recommended fish, provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for brain and joint health.

Live Foods

    Live foods are raw foods from a plant or tree. Fruits and vegetables are major food sources for the Paleo Diet and accompany every meal. Not all vegetables are required to be eaten raw; vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals cooked or fresh. According to the philosophy of the diet, live food was available to Paleolithic humans and therefore completely acceptable to eat.

Limitations and Substitutions

    The Paleo Diet believes in the limited use of salt. It can be difficult to avoid salt altogether; however, in personal cooking, the official website of the Paleo Diet recommends substituting salt with garlic powder, chili powder, lime/lemon juice, pepper and any other type of herb. Dried celery is a good substitute because of its natural-occurring high sodium level. Vinegar should be replaced with lemon or lime juice. Vinegar was not present during the days of Paleolithic man, thus prohibiting its use in the diet. Butter and fats like lard are prohibited for people using this diet. Butters and fats can be replaced with olive oil and other fruit and vegetable oils, because the human body is designed to digest these oils without strain on the body. Sugars should be avoided; even naturally occurring honey should be limited, as Paleolithic man did not have sugar as a staple in his diet. Alcohol was not used during the Paleolithic era; however, the Paleo Diet recommends moderate wine, beer or mixed drink usage with meals. Wine is recommended for cooking purposes.

Rabu, 28 Agustus 2013

How to Live Healthy with Ayurveda

How to Live Healthy with Ayurveda

Ayurveda is grounded in an ancient Vedic source of wisdom for physical and spiritual health. Incorporating healthy eating, physical remedies and the "Wisdom of Life," Ayurveda offers the seeker a path to harmony and balance within her own self and with the natural world.

Instructions

Ayurveda: The Wisdom of Healthy Living

    1

    Consult an Ayurveda expert who can help to establish a rhythm that meets your unique characteristics and needs.

    2

    Live in accord with your natural rhythm and the rhythm of reality. Begin with what you eat. Ayurveda eating emphasizes fresh, seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables. Three divisions of foods are Sattavic, Rajasic and Tamasic, which correspond to the body's Sattva (clarity), Rajas (energy) and Tamas (inertia). Tamas is to be avoided.Develop a daily routine. Allow Ayurveda to integrate into your life's affairs. Ayurveda provides suggestions for waking, cleansing, eating and prayer.

    3

    Make a schedule for your days and nights and stick to it. Your schedule will help to create balance among the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Details even address which side to sleep on from one night to another.

    4

    Breathe, move, contemplate. Breath (pranayama), physical exercise and meditation are essential Ayurveda activities for healthy living.

    5

    Practice the ancient wisdom of Yoga. There are many schools of Yoga. Research and select a school that resonates with you. Yoga schools include Anusara, Integral, and Bikram.

What Foods to Eat on a Protein Diet

What Foods to Eat on a Protein Diet

Protein is an essential nutrient for our bodies, especially if we wish to lose weight and/or have strong, toned muscles. Those who work out know how vital protein is toward keeping muscles from getting sore and damaged. Without this nutrient, it would be impossible to move the day after a workout. Protein can be received in many foods, and most bodybuilders put themselves on a diet of high-protein foods. Knowing what foods to eat on a protein diet will help you acquire strong muscles.

Poultry


    Chicken and turkey are the best sources of protein among meats. They offer more lean cuts, which means you can have a solid amount of protein with less saturated fat. White meat is a better choice than dark. A 3.5-ounce chicken breast will yield approximately 30 grams of protein.

Seafood


    Fish and other seafood is also an excellent source of protein. They contain very little fats as long as they are not fried or breaded, which makes them an excellent choice when increasing your protein intake. A small 6-ounce can of tuna can give you 40 grams of protein. Lobster, crab and shrimp are also beneficial sources of protein.

Beef


    Though beef gives you a large amount of protein, it is also the fattest meat. Therefore, it should only be eaten in moderation, and only the leanest cuts should be consumed. Ground beef should be 93/7 on the fat ratio. Other cuts from the round and sirloin is OK as long as the visible fat is trimmed away.

Nuts and Seeds


    Nuts and seeds make a large amount of protein, making them a popular snack for bodybuilders. These do contain some saturated fats, which are healthy in moderation. Two tablespoons of peanut butter will give you about 8-to-10 grams of protein, while 1/4 cup of other nuts and seeds contain 3-to-10 grams (See resources for full list).

Beans and Soy


    Beans and soy are often eaten as an alternative to meats, especially for vegetarians. They offer lots of protein, as well as substantial amounts of fiber and other nutrients. One cup of most cooked beans will give you about 17-to-20 grams of protein. Soybeans contain 28 grams of protein per cooked cup. Tofu, a chosen meat alternative, yields about 40 grams per cup.

Eggs


    Eggs can be cooked in many ways and added to almost every meal as a protein supplement. One large egg contains about 6 grams of protein. Therefore, they are recommended to be eaten along with protein-rich meats and vegetables.

Selasa, 27 Agustus 2013

Soup Detox Diet

Soup detox diets are favored by many dieters. Not only are they useful for detoxing the body, but also for weight loss. During a detox, all the toxins and pollutants that have built up for years within the body have a chance to come out. A soup detox diet provides the benefits of a diet without having to starve yourself, as most use an abundance of vegetables as the soup's staple.

Pros of a Soup Detox

    A soup detox diet has many pros that make it a good choice for a lot of people. Many users experience fast weight loss when on the detox. Since a detox includes getting rid of all the pollutants and toxins that have been put into the body, for example nicotine, caffeine and sugar, your body will start to become healthier overall. These changes can help a person feel better about themselves, become more energetic and help break the bad habits that have been ingrained for years. Additionally, a soup detox diet can be filling, which is in contrast to other detoxes that only allow you to drink certain liquids. The soups are also easy to make and contain ingredients that are important to one's health.

Cons of a Soup Detox

    There are always cons to anything, and the soup detox is no different. Some people complain that the soup is too bland, or that they cannot eat that much soup for days. A detox is also not a long-term solution to weight loss, and should not be used solely for that purpose. A detox should also cause the body to rid itself of excess waste, so be prepared to stay close to a bathroom. While the detox can cause fast weight loss, it is important to continue to eat healthy when you go off the detox plan.

Soup Ingredients

    One of the biggest advantages of a soup detox diet is the variety of soups that can be made. When preparing your soup, you can use any type of vegetable that you choose. The best choices are fresh, and organic vegetables are always a plus. Since you are detoxing, you want vegetables that have not been sprayed with pesticide to enter your body. Choose from cabbage, celery, broccoli, carrots, spinach and a plethora of other vegetables.

    When making the soup, you are allowed to add a bit of sea salt or lemon juice for a bit more flavor. However, no other seasoning is allowed. Another advantage of this detox is that you can basically eat as much of the soup as you desire. Since there is no limit, you fill up on good nutrients, vitamins and minerals, all the while ridding your body of the toxins that have built up for years.

Diet Recipes for Gout Sufferers

Diet Recipes for Gout Sufferers

Having gout doesn't mean you have to start eating a bland diet. There are still many tasty foods that actually aid your body in keeping your uric acid levels low. Fresh fruits, rice, whole wheat bread are all great for gout sufferers and should make up 40 percent of their diet. Lean meats like fish, turkey and chicken breast are also allowed.

Food Preparation

    Since salt is discouraged, try using other herbs and spices to flavor your food. Garlic, in particular, is a good choice because it is known to lower uric acid levels. Bake or grill your meats rather than frying them in oil. Drink lots of water or prepare fruit smoothies or fruit juices for a drink. Ingredients like bacon, creams and cheeses can be used in moderate amounts.

Noodles with Parmesan Cheese Sauce

    Ingredients: 1 lb thin noodles, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 crushed cloves garlic, 4 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander, 6 tbsp olive oil, tsp salt, tsp black pepper.

    Preparation: Place noodles in pot of boiling water for 11 minutes or until cooked. Drain noodles and place in bowl. Stir remaining ingredients into noodles and serve while warm.

    (recipe from Backwoods Home Magazine)

Cole Slaw

    Ingredients: 1 cup shredded cabbage, 2 tbsp mayonnaise , 2 tsp white distilled vinegar, salt, black pepper.

    Preparation: Mix ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    (recipe from Gout-aware.com)

Taco Salad

    Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (boiled), 1 large yellow onion (diced), 1 can black olives, 1 can rotel tomatoes with green chilis, 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, chili powder, cumin, 2 tbsp olive oil, low-fat sour cream, guacamole.

    Preparation: Shred the chicken with a fork. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sautee a quarter of the onions. Add chicken, cumin, chili powder and tomatoes. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. While mixture is simmering, shred lettuce and place in bowls. When chicken is done, add to lettuce in bowls and top with cheese, olives, sour cream and onions and guacamole. Serve with salsa.

    (recipe from Gout-aware.com)

Salsa

    Ingredients: 1 large can peeled tomatoes, 1 small bunch cilantro, 1 medium onion, garlic salt.

    Preparation: Combine ingredients in blender. Serve over taco salad.

    (recipe from Gout-aware.com)

Sabtu, 24 Agustus 2013

The Best Diet for Arthritis

The best diet for arthritis is a healthy plan that most people could benefit from. The diet decreases joint pain and inflammation. It contains foods high in fiber, antioxidants and plant sterols. As important as it is to know what to eat, you also need to know what foods to limit or avoid.

Guidelines

    Eat a well-balanced diet. According to the University of Washington Orthopedics, the best diet for arthritis includes foods from each of the five food groups. Avoid foods containing excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. And only drink alcohol in moderation. Excessive amounts can cause inflammation and joint pain.

Fiber-Rich Foods

    The Arthritis Foundation says to eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. Not only does fiber help rid your body of toxins, but it also helps you maintain or lose weight. The more weight on your joints, the more painful your joints can become. Fat cells can produce cytokines, a protein that encourages joint inflammation.

Plant-Based Foods

    The best diet for arthritis also contains a variety of plant-based foods. Beneficial plant-based foods include fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, olives and chocolate. Drink green tea and other tea varieties. Tea contains anti-inflammatory ingredients of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Substitute fresh herbs for salt. Include herbs known for their anti-inflammatory properties such as garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, curry powder and turmeric, according to the USDA.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

    The Arthritis Foundation advises getting your fill of omega-3 fatty acid foods. Omega-3s decrease joint inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Omega-3s are prevalent in cold-water fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, trout and albacore tuna. A serving size is about the size of a deck of playing cards, or 3 oz. Omega-3 is also found in olives and olive oil, walnuts, flax seeds, pistachios, almonds and canola oil. Enjoy a palmful size serving.

Low-Fat Protein

    Consume low-fat protein, which provides antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoy poultry without skin, fish baked with herbs or a black bean chili.

Harmful Omega-6 Foods

    Limit your intake of foods that increase inflammation, such as those high in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in safflower, soybean, corn and cottonseed oil, egg yolks and margarines. Also, stay away from fried foods, substituting them with steamed, poached, baked or grilled versions. Fried foods can increase joint inflammation and pain since they often contain omega-6 fatty acids. Other foods that include omega-6s are beef, pork, lamb, buffalo, deer and processed snack foods high in salt, sugar and fat. Substitute fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts and wholegrain products (made without partially hydrogenated oil or shortening).

How to Plan a Weekend Detox

How to Plan a Weekend Detox

If you are overstressed or overworked, you need a weekend detox. It will melt away your stress and remove toxin build-up from your body. You can prevent injuries and health problems, while even curing some acute illnesses.Plan a weekend just for yourself. You can do this at home or a quiet place nestled away from your home. By the end of the weekend detox, you will feel a jolt of energy and renewal. Your mind will have clarity and your body will have more strength. Do this for yourself. You deserve it. Follow these steps for a weekend detox and renew your body and spirit.

Instructions

Saturday Detox

    1

    Begin your Saturday morning with a detox breakfast and a dry body brush. Wake up Saturday morning and stretch in bed. Lie there for a few minutes and be aware of your mind and body. Treat your body with an instant lemon detox. Fill a mug with hot water and a squeeze in one-half of a lemon. Follow this internal cleansing with a dry brush, stroking the brush towards your heart. Take a shower and eat a high protein breakfast with scrambled eggs and plain whole-wheat toast. Include a glass of fresh orange juice. Rest and relax after breakfast with easy listening music and meditation.

    2

    Eat a lean lunch with fresh vegetables and after lunch, give yourself a full body spa. Apply a face and body mask, while using a deep conditioning hair mask or leave-in glossing treatment. Use cuticle oil on your fingers and toes. Meditate during your spa treatment while using your favorite aromatherapy candles or incense. Rinse off the masks in a warm shower and take a nap or rest. Eat fresh pineapple or a banana for a mid-afternoon snack.

    3

    Prepare a lean dinner and enjoy Saturday evening to yourself. Read a book or write in a quiet place. Use your journal to reflect your thoughts. Try reading a good fiction book to carry you away from your stresses. Listen to music and enjoy the evening to yourself. Think positive thoughts and repeat positive affirmations. Give yourself a good hand and neck massage. Enjoy a piece of fruit and a glass of ice water.

Sunday Detox

    4

    Eat breakfast and do a creative activity. Before breakfast, prepare your mug with hot water and lemon. Fix breakfast with two poached eggs and whole-wheat toast, with a glass of cranberry juice. Give your body a full dry brushing. Take a shower with several cold blasts of water. Do a creative activity, such as art and ceramics. If you can sew or knit, you can create something for yourself or your home. Relax and enjoy the activity. See that the work you are creating carries no stress or pressure on how it turns out. Think positive and enjoy your creative work.

    5

    Prepare a lean lunch for Sunday afternoon and take a walk. Choose chicken and vegetables for Sunday lunch with a cup of hot tea. Rest and relax after lunch. Take a walk outside and renew your energy. Let the toxins evaporate and inhale the fresh air. Take a nap or rest after your walk.

    6

    Make plans for the week ahead. Eat any choice of a lean dinner Sunday evening. Relax after dinner. This is the end of your detox and your mind will be more focused and relaxed. Make plans for the week ahead, setting goals using your agenda or personal journal. Use this time to reflect and renew your energy. Meditate and feel the renewal. Think about how you may renew your life with positive changes such as eating healthier, fixing a broken relationship, or having better interpersonal relationships at work.

Jumat, 23 Agustus 2013

Low-Carb Diets for Kids

Fad diets are usually inappropriate for children. Depriving their growing bodies of one or more macronutrients can have unwanted effects on normal growth and development. Thus, the majority of low-carb diets on the market are unsuitable for children. However, there are some restricted-carb diets that can keep a child's overall carbohydrate intake down while still ensuring that they receive all required nutrients.

Paleo Diet

    The Paleo Diet was invented by family physician Dr. Ben Balzer and presents an interesting take on restricted-carb eating. Unlike a low-carb plan, where the dieter is instructed to keep his daily carb intake below a designated level, restricted-carb eating has no such prohibitions. Under a restricted carb plan, the dieter is allowed to consume any quantity of carbs he desired, but only certain types of carbs. This is hardly an unhealthy approach---quite the opposite, as the only carbs your child will consume while on the Paleo Diet are fruits and vegetables. There could hardly be anything more natural than that.

    To follow the Paleo Diet's approach to nutrition, simply eliminate all of the following food types: grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar, and added salt. Feed your child the following: chicken, fish, meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables, nuts and berries. The Paleo Diet is so named because it resembles the eating habits of our primitive ancestors, thus representing an efficient and healthy way of eating that has sustained our species and nourished our children for thousands of years.

Seven Habits

    The only other low/restricted carb approach appropriate for children is the Seven Habits by Dr. John Berardi. Berardi is a nutritionist who has distilled his theories into seven basic rules that everyone should follow for maximum health. The Seven Habits are as follows:

    1. Consume small meals every 2 to 3 hours--as it can be difficult to get children to eat with regularity, it is sufficient if they eat three main meals and a healthy snack or two during the day.
    2. Consume lean protein with every meal--meat, fish, chicken or eggs.
    3. Consume fruit and vegetables with every meal.
    4. Consume carbs from only fruit and vegetables.
    5. Consume at least 25 percent of your daily calories from fat--this is important to ensure healthy hormonal development.
    6. Drink only zero-calorie beverages.
    7. Consume only solid meals--no liquid nutrition.

Considerations

    If it makes the transition easier on your child, apply one rule per week, adding additional rules until he or she is in compliance with either diet. Additionally, it would be best if the entire family adopted these plans, as children derive many of their habits from their parents and siblings. If they have to eat different food while the rest of the family continues on the same meal plan, it is likely that they will equate healthy food consumption with negativity, making it unlikely that they will ever develop sustained healthy eating habits.

Diet for Gouty Arthritis

Gout is caused by excessive amounts of uric acid in the tissues and the blood. As it begins to accumulate, it crystallizes and lodges in the joints of the body, causing the symptoms of arthritis. It likes the joints farthest from the heart, because they tend to be cooler than joints that are closest to the trunk of the body. Uric acid is the end product of the breakdown of purines. Rich, fatty foods are known to be a major cause of gout conditions because of their excessive amounts of uric acid-producing components.

Raw Foods

    Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. They are higher in nutrients than processed foods, and these nutrients are more easily assimilated by the body. Fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins B, C and E should be eaten regularly. Fresh fruit juices are also good diet additions. Cherry juice neutralizes uric acid. Blueberries and strawberries may also have the same neutralizing effects.

Avoid Purines

    Avoid foods that have high levels of purines. These include asparagus, anchovies, mackerel, mushrooms, brewer's yeast, peanuts and sardines. When purines are digested and broken down by the body, one of the byproducts is uric acid. While some meats may not have high levels of purines, they do contain high levels of uric acid, so they should be avoided or eaten in moderation.

Fried/Fatty Foods

    Avoid foods that are deep fried in oil or cooked in animal fats and butter. Try using olive oil or safflower oil as alternatives. Some fat is essential to the diet, but don't overuse it.

Refined/Processed Foods

    Avoid refined and processed foods, such as white flour and sugar. They are mostly devoid of nutrients and can cause acid levels in the body to rise. This in turn, would cause an increase in uric acid levels and the way the body handles their elimination.

Kamis, 22 Agustus 2013

How to Avoid a Gout Attack

How to Avoid a Gout Attack

Gout is a recurrent condition of joint swelling, inflammation, and pain related to the dietary intake of purine rich foods. Learn more about this condition and the simple steps to avoid gout.

Instructions

    1

    Learn to recognize the symptoms of gout. These symptoms are easy to identify and include pain and swelling in a joint, pain from any sort of pressure to that area, burning or itching skin around the joint, and possibly fever. The first time a person suffers from an attack of gout, they may not make the connection to their diet, however certain foods are triggers for these types of recurring episodes. Using this insight into which foods cause gout may help you steer clear of another outbreak.

    2

    Avoid foods that cause gout. Your dietary intake of purine from foods, and it's resultant metabolism into uric acid, is the primary factor in the recurring presentation of gout symptoms. The gout causing foods to avoid include red meat, organ meats, meat gravies, and certain types of seafood, such as sardines, mussels, and anchovies. Excessive alcohol intake can also lead to a gout attack.

    3

    If you think you are experiencing these symptoms, see your health care provider and find out which treatments are right for you. Some sufferers may be okay with a special gout diet that limits their purine intake. While others may require prescription medication, such as allopurinol, that inhibits the production of uric acid in the body. These treatments for gout may help you to avoid future episodes of this painful condition.

Vegetarian Meals for College Students

Vegetarian Meals for College Students

Whether a student lives in an apartment or dorm, the time and budget restraints of college can make cooking healthy vegetarian meals appear difficult. These same restraints often compel many students to eat inexpensive fat-laden convenience foods. By investing in some basic time-saving kitchen appliances and spending some time shopping and meal planning, vegetarian students can cook and prepare simple, healthy and low-fat meals and snacks. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Breakfast

    Whether you dine in your room or eat in the dorm cafeteria, breakfast usually offers a plethora of meal options for vegetarians. Skip the bacon, sausage and fatty foods and dine on yogurt sprinkled with fruit and granola. Add a protein boost to plain toast by slathering it with peanut butter. If time-pressed, grab a cereal bar or a bagel spread with cream cheese or a dairy-free cream cheese substitute.

Lunch

    Although many college lunches tend to focus on burgers, hot dogs and lunch meat sandwiches, vegetarian options are plentiful. Create a salad out of mixed greens, carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms and other veggies. Top it with black beans, cheddar cheese and salsa for a veg-friendly "taco" salad or with garbanzo beans, cucumbers, feta cheese and a splash of olive oil and vinegar for a protein-filled Greek salad.

    Make some quinoa or brown rice--you can do so in the microwave if you lack access to a stove. Add beans, olive oil, leftover veggies, curry powder or herbs for a low-fat, vegetarian lunch. You can fortify a cup of Ramen noodles, the traditional fare of many starving college students, by adding some leftover veggies or tofu. Try spicing them up by including a bit of curry powder and red pepper flakes. Just take a few minutes in the grocery store aisle to verify that the noodles you choose don't contain any type of meat by-products.

Snacks

    By shopping in bulk for dried and fresh fruits, inexpensive vegetables and dry snacks, vegetarian college students can ensure they always have plentiful snack options. Microwave popcorn also makes a tasty snack option---try dipping it into spaghetti sauce to add a bit of extra vitamins to your diet. Celery and carrots dipped into peanut butter or hummus help keep energy levels high throughout the day.

Dinner

    Regardless of the type of kitchen set-up available to you, investing in a crockpot and/or electric wok can help make vegetarian dinner preparation easier for time-pressed college students. Just about any type of vegetable lends itself to a tasty stir-fry. Try red peppers, some type of green vegetable (snow peas, kale or chard) and tofu seasoned with soy or teriyaki sauce. Or mix cabbage (usually an inexpensive vegetable) with canned pineapple, broccoli and red onion. Season the concoction with a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar. Serve your stir-fries over brown rice or whole grain noodles.

    Let your crockpot do the cooking while you are in class. Fill it with a cup of brown rice and cup of lentils. Dice an onion, saut it and add it to the pot. Season the mixture to taste with curry and garlic powders. Pour 3 cups of vegetable broth into the crockpot and cook on low four to five hours.

    Turn two tortillas into satisfying quesadillas by filling them with refried beans, cheese and other goodies like sauted peppers, onions, mushrooms or spinach, and cooking over a hot plate or stove until lightly brown.

Rabu, 21 Agustus 2013

Ultra Rapid Detox

A rapid detox might be needed if you feel that you are carrying an overload of toxins from overeating, exposure to environmental pollutants such as pesticides or from other sources.

Most healthy people can do an ultra rapid detox, but consider that taking a more moderate course may be a better, less harsh option. For example, instead of doing a five-day detox, extend it to seven days or 10 days.

There are many types of herbs that will give you an ultra rapid detox. Cascara sagrada is one that is widely available.

Not for Everyone

    Most healthy individuals can do a rapid detox by going to a colon hydrotherapy clinic. There, water is used to remove waste from the colon using special machinery.
    For people who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or any gastrointestinal tract issues, such as leaky gut or irritable bowel syndrome, performing an ultra rapid detox may release too many toxins into the bloodstream. For these consumers, a rapid detox would be appropriate only in a hospital or other medically supervised environment.

    For example, methylmercury, found in drinking water, many types of fish and conventional silver dental fillings, is stored in body fat. If you were to rapidly lose weight while undergoing a rapid detox, the methylmercury would be freed from the body fat and enter the bloodstream. In this case, taking precautions would be a good idea.

Cascara Sagrada

    Many herbs can move waste from the large intestine quickly, including cascara sagrada. Cascara sagrada means "sacred bark" and is from the buckthorn family, Rhamnus purshiana. According to Ray Sahelian, M.D., it can be taken as one to two 425 milligram capsules at bedtime with 12 ounces of water to move the bowels. He states that most people experience a bowel movement within six to 12 hours. Most commercial cascara sagrada is dried for a year so that its effects are not too harsh: The fresh form can cause vomiting. Dr. Sahelian advises patients to not take cascara sagrada for more than a week for the relief of occasional constipation.
    Ideally, healthy individuals have a bowel movement two to three times a day. Others may report having two bowel movements per week. The longer time between detoxification, the longer toxins remain in the body.

Gradual Detox Program

    The alternative to an ultra rapid detox is to take a commercial product such as UltraCleanse or others, that contain cascara sagrada along with other detoxifying herbs such as yellow dock, red clover, dandelion leaf, fennel seed and aloe vera leaf, to gradually detox the body over the course of several days. The advantage to doing a detox program that spans several days is the body is not forced to rapidly remove toxins, which can result in headaches, nausea, skin eruptions, fever or vomiting. These symptoms are often described as a "healing crisis" and a sign the body is detoxifying. For many people, undergoing a gradual detox will be less extreme and less difficult to manage. If you have never used such a detox product, consult with your doctor first.

Lemon Water Cleanse

Lemon Water Cleanse

The lemon water cleanse is no lemon if you are looking for a way to detox and lose weight quickly. The lemon water cleanse was originally part of the Master Cleanse created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and outlined in his book "The Master Cleanser." The lemon cleanse branched out as its own diet and gained notoriety recently after celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles said they used the diet to lose weight for movie roles.

Why Use the Lemon Water Cleanse?

    The idea behind the lemon water cleanse is to detox your body and lose weight. Lemons contain vitamins A, B, C and citric acid, which gives it that tart taste. The citric acid and vitamins can assist in flushing toxins out of your digestive system, detoxing your liver and cleansing your colon.

    Before you decide to start the lemon water cleanse, figure out if it is really the right diet for you. The diet is a quick cleanse that involves fasting. Some people stay on it for a week and some stay on it longer. If you are on the diet you should lose one pound per day although some people claim to have lost more. The diet won't suppress your appetite and is not usually recommended by physicians. If you decide to go on the diet and have a condition, you should consult your physician first.

How to Do the Lemon Water Cleanse

    For the lemon water cleanse you need 3 lemons, 1 bottle of water, a saucepan, a strainer, a mug, a spoon, organic maple syrup and cayenne pepper.

    First slice up the three lemons into thin slices, remove the seed and leave on the skins. Put the lemons in a sauce pan and add the bottle of water. Bring the water to a boil and then pour the liquid through a strainer into a mug. Add two tablespoons of the organic maple syrup to your mug. Then add just a small pinch of cayenne pepper to the concoction. Stir with a spoon before drinking. Drink this both first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed. During the day drink water with a slice of lemon in it. You should drink at least 64 ounces of lemon water a day.

Body Detox Formulas

Proponents of body detoxification say that all of the substances we are exposed to daily--including the processed chemicals that go into making packaged foods--may be making you feel unwell. A body detox can help cleanse your colon and may boost your immune system. Keep the ingredients simple and all-natural, and, most importantly, don't overdo it.

The Master Cleanse

    This cleanse may be helpful in recharging your body and purging it of any dependence on foreign substances, whether sugar, caffeine, alcohol or corn syrup. Combine 14 tbsp. of lemon juice with 14 tbsp. of maple syrup and 1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper in 2 quarts of water. Drink the mixture whenever you feel hungry throughout the day. Along with the lemonade mixture, drink as much water as you like. In the evening, fill a 1-quart jar with room temperature or lukewarm water, and add 1 tbsp. of noniodized sea salt to it. Drink all of the solution. Within an hour, the salt water will coat your digestive tract, flushing the remaining waste in your system. Expect frequent bowel movements for the following hour. Repeat this process for three to 10 days. Then, ease slowly back to bland, unprocessed foods over the next few days.

Detox Bath

    This bathing formula may help draw toxins from your skin. Mix 1/4 cup of sea salts, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of Epsom salts in a small container. Add the mixture to hot bath water. Keep some glycerin on hand to prevent drying out your skin, using 1 or 2 tbsp. per bath. Soak and relax, letting the hot water draw any toxins to the surface of the skin. The cooling water is thought to expunge toxins, leaving your skin smooth and clean.

Everyday Detox Teas and Juices

    Drink dandelion tea, cranberry juice, lemon juice in hot water, or digestion-aiding beverages to clean the colon and flush waste through your body. While not as potent or thorough as multiday cleanses, these drinks may help expel unwanted buildup from food and alcohol as you consume it.

Bland Foods Detox

    Consuming only bland, colorless foods also may detoxify your body and improve your health. Start with clear or white natural foods such as cauliflower, raw oatmeal, okra, apples (after removing the skin) and pears. Cook clear vegetables in plain water as broth for a soup. Simplify your diet with a week of such foods, then slowly add other organic, unprocessed foods, regardless of color, back into your diet.

Sample Paleo Diet

The Paleo diet is based on the theory that Neanderthals ate a healthier, more sustainable diet than the common diet consumed today. The Paleo diet attempts to improve health, aid in weight loss and reduce the incidence of disease. This diet is likely very different from the diet you are accustomed to following. If you want to follow the Paleo diet, consult with your doctor first and initiate changes gradually over a long period of time.

Basics and Suggestions

    The Paleo diet discourages consumption of all grains, including whole grain breads, rice or pasta. All types of beans, sugar, salt, coffee and alcohol are also to be avoided. The diet also requires the elimination of most dairy products (with the exception of eggs). Potatoes are also restricted because they are believed to have been genetically and nutritionally altered compared to those grown in the Stone Age period. The Paelo diet encourages the consumption of meats and root vegetables such as carrots, turnips and parsnips. All fruits and vegetables are generally acceptable, as well as nuts such as walnuts, almonds, macadamia and brazil nuts. Peanuts are considered a type of bean and generally not acceptable.
    Give your body a few months to adjust before attempting to strictly follow the Paleo diet. You will feel better and your body will thank you for not forcing it in to a drastic change. Begin by incorporating a Paleolithic type of breakfast every morning for several weeks. Make a vegetable omelet (no cheese or milk) or fruit salad in the mornings. Use a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you do not become tired of eating the same foods every day.

Following a Daily Diet

    Once you have made a conscious effort to reduce your grain and packaged food intake, you are ready to begin following a daily Paleo diet. For breakfast, have a spinach and tomato omelet with strawberries, or half of a cantaloupe filled with blackberries and pecans and topped with honey. The best early afternoon snacks are fruits such as apples or bananas. For lunch, have a piece of grilled salmon with a large salad consisting of beets and carrots topped with an olive or flax oil dressing. A good afternoon snack would be guacamole with raw broccoli and carrots, or homemade beef jerky. For dinner, have grilled or baked chicken and asparagus sauted in olive oil. For dessert, bake some apple slices with walnuts and cinnamon.
    The Paleo diet requires that you eat only healthy, natural foods. The diet is easy in the sense that there is no calorie counting or expensive pre-packaged foods to purchase, but it does require careful planning. You will need to prepare meals ahead of time before leaving home and always keep fruit handy for emergencies.

Easy Ways to Detox

Though healthy weight loss is best achieved through diet and exercise, others achieve remarkable health by undergoing a detox diet lasting days, weeks or even months. "Detox" is a buzzword that indicates a radical transformation with regard to diet. Though some detox diets require a radical change in eating patterns, you can detox quite easily by slight modifications in your diet.

Add More Detox Foods

    The staple of most detox diets is fruits and vegetables. To detox, add raw, unprocessed, whole vegetables, leafy greens and fruit to your diet. Do not, however, use these foods as an excuse to eat other unhealthy foods---eating an orange does not grant you permission to eat an ice cream cone. Ideally, eating an orange will cause you to want only half an order of fries instead of your usual full order.

    To add more detox foods, stock up on produce at the grocery store and carry pieces of fruit or carrot sticks with you. These detox foods may satisfy a mineral deficiency. As explained in the book "Food and Mood," deficiencies are often the culprit of hunger pangs. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories but can still combat hunger with their high density of nutrients. Nutrients that detox the body and are found in fruits, vegetables and leafy greens are fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Drink More Water

    In order to flush the body of toxins, the body must have an ample supply of water. Water is responsible for hydrating and rejuvenating the cells and pushing out waste and is necessary for all organs to function properly.

    Gabriel Cousens wrote in his book "Spiritual Nutrition" that over 75percent of Americans are dehydrated. Many could experience the benefits of a detox diet simply by drinking more water.

    Carry a water bottle with you, either in your backpack, purse or briefcase. Instead of drinking soda or fruit juice, opt for pure water. If you desire to enhance the taste of water, squirt some lemon juice in it or add a small amount of 100 percent fruit juice. Otherwise, avoid soda (including diet soda) and replace all beverages with water.

Substitute Unhealthy Foods for Detox Foods

    Though complete elimination of your favorite foods isn't necessary, try substituting any junk food favorites with fruit and vegetables instead. For example, if you love eating potato chips and dip, substitute half of the potato chips with cucumber slices instead. Consider eating hummus (a garbanzo bean dip) instead of creamy ranch dip: hummus usually has fewer calories and fat. Likewise, replace milkshakes with fruit smoothies.

    Registered dietitian Claudia Gonzalez explains that eating only raw foods isn't necessary to achieve great health benefits. She states in the book "Earth Talk" that replacing processed, refined meals with raw foods will result in improved health.

Selasa, 20 Agustus 2013

How to Lose 12 Pounds in 4 Days

Every now and then it is necessary to lose a great deal of weight quickly. Whether you are preparing last minute for an event or you are simply looking for a way to shed a few pounds quickly, a few diet changes will help you lose 12 pounds in 4 days.

Instructions

    1

    Remove all liquids from your diet except water. Flavored water can be used as a substitute for plain water as long as it has no calories. Drink at least 8 full glasses of water each day, if not more. Drinking large amounts of water daily will hydrate you while flushing out your system to remove excess water weight (usually 7 pounds).

    2

    Increase your daily fiber intake by taking fiber supplements. Psyllium seed husk is a supplement that is a great source of fiber; it comes in either pill or powder form. Both forms are inexpensive. It should be taken three times each day. Psyllium seed husk will help stimulate your bowels for cleansing and it will also make you feel full (when taken with water), which makes cutting calories easier.

    3

    Stick to a high protein, low calorie diet. Try to eat only low fat, low calorie proteins such as cheese, eggs, fish, poultry, and beans. Eating protein will help you feel full longer and will help you achieve fast weight loss. When consuming protein try to restrict yourself to no more than 1200 calories per day while taking a multivitamin for best results.

How Much Protein Do You Need in Your Diet?

How Much Protein Do You Need in Your Diet?

Considered an essential macronutrient, protein makes up 75 percent of the human body, which is vital to good health. The human body requires an adequate amount of protein to perform its normal growth functions and maintain muscle mass.

What Is Protein?

    Protein, one of the main building blocks of the body, is made up of a chain of 22 amino acids. There are many types of protein, all of which perform various functions so the body can function properly, such as with digestion, muscle movement, and ligament structure.

How Much Protein Do We Need?

    The amount of protein an individual requires is based on her body size, gender, age and level of activity. According to the National Academy of Sciences, daily protein consumption should make up 10 to 35 percent of an individual's calories. In general, an adult male should consume between 60 and 70 g per day, and an adult female should consume 50 g per day.

Protein in the Diet

    The Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein is two or three servings per day. Protein can be found in numerous foods and drinks. Mainly considered as animal-derived food, such as chicken, meat and fish, protein can also be found in eggs, dairy products, beans and nuts.

Exercise and Protein

    People who engage in exercise should consume more protein in their diets. The RDA recommends that they increase their protein intake by 10 to 20 g per day, depending on the intensity of their physical activity.

Insufficient Protein

    If individuals do not consume an adequate amount of protein, the body breaks down its own muscle for its needs. Over time, this can directly affect the body and cause weakness in the muscles, immune system malfunctions, and heart and respiratory problems.

Dangers of High Protein

    Individuals who consume too much protein, consistently over 100 g over a period of six months or more, may experience problems with their kidneys and an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Senin, 19 Agustus 2013

Cayenne Detox Diet

The cayenne detox is more commonly referred to as the master cleanse diet. The diet consists of three distinct phases. The total diet last about two to three weeks. Dieters on this plan will inevitably lose weight because calories are severely restricted on this plan. Whether or not this diet actually detoxes the body is debatable.

Ease-in Phase

    Some individuals may chose to skip the ease-in phase. However, those who have never done such a diet should probably go through this phase to prepare for the main part of the diet. The ease-in phase takes three days. On the first day, dieters can eat unlimited amounts of fruits and vegetables and nothing else. On the second day, dieters should consume fruit and vegetable juices or soup broths only. On the third day, dieters should drink 2 liters of freshly squeezed orange juice along with water. Two tbsp. of maple syrup should be mixed in with the orange juice.

Lemonade Diet Phase

    During this phase, dieters will consume a special lemonade mix and unlimited amounts of water as well. The recipe for the lemonade contains 14 tbsp. of both lemon juice and maple syrup, 2 liters of water and 1/2-tsp. of cayenne pepper. More cayenne pepper can be added if desired. The lemonade mix should be rationed out through the day with water to drink in between. At the end of the day, dieters will need to complete a salt water flush to get all the toxins out of the body. The recipe for the salt water flush contains 1 liter of water and 1 tbsp. of organic sea salt. Drink the entire liter of salt water at one time. After about an hour, bowel movements will begin and continue for about an hour. The sea salt solution cannot be digested by the body and will travel through the digestive system and then be excreted soon after consumption. The lemonade phase can last anywhere from three to seven days, depending on the dieter's choice.

Ease Out Phase

    The ease-out phase is the reverse of the ease-in phase. On day one, dieters should drink 3 one-liter bottles of orange juice, along with 2 tbsp. of maple syrup added to the juice. On day two, dieters should drink only fruit and vegetable juices or soup broths. On day three, dieters should eat only fruits and vegetables. On day four, a regular diet can be resumed.

The Best Detox Cleanser

The best detox cleanser is based on what holistic practitioner Edgar Cayce recommended to clear and tone the bowel: apples. While there are many different herbs that you could take, eating apples for at least three days and taking olive oil on the fourth day (to completely clear the bowel), is a no-fuss detox that can be done anywhere.
If you have any serious health issues, get medical clearance from your physician first.

Why Apples?

    Apples provide both types of fiber: soluble and soluble. Both are needed to move waste through the gastrointestinal tract and out of the colon.

    Apples also have pectin and are easily digested by most people. This detox works with any kind of fresh apple, so eating only apples (and drinking water, herbal teas, not coffee, alcohol or sodas) is not difficult.

    You can choose to eat the apples raw, grated, juiced (include the skin of the apples for the insoluble fiber), baked or even briefly broiled. Skip the microwave, however; that kills the valuable vitamin C.

Apple Detox Cleanse Diet

    For three days, eat only apples of any type but make sure you consume fresh fruit. Do not drink apple juice made from concentrate or apple sauce: They lack the enzymes you need.

    Fuji, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Washington Reds and all other types of fresh apples are appropriate. Eat several different kinds so you avoid boredom.

    Drink water between your apple meals and detox teas such as red clover, buckthorn root, comfrey, dandelion and yellow dock. On the fourth day, consume 2 tbsp.of olive oil with a wedge of lemon or orange (to cut the taste of the oil) to clear the colon.

Benefits

    Why bother doing a detox cleanse? We are exposed to environmental pollution from pesticides sprayed on food and car pollution that can trap toxins in the body. To detox, eating apples will move waste from the colon, which will make it easier for the body's other organs to detox. The liver, kidneys, lungs and gallbladder will function more easily if the colon is not "backed up" with waste, as happens with irregularity.
    Once you complete an apple detox, continue to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, dried fruits and consume herbal teas to stay regular. Doing so will move more toxins out of the body. This can improve digestion, assimilation and reduce constipation.

Minggu, 18 Agustus 2013

Suppliers of Raw Diets for Dogs

Suppliers of Raw Diets for Dogs

Raw diets have become popular as a healthier alternative to commercial dog food. Feeding a diet consisting of raw meat, bones and organs provides a more natural, highly digestible form of nutrition without added fillers, preservatives or plant-based products that dogs cannot digest and which may provoke allergies. Although you may be able to find some meat and organ sources at your local grocery stores, you may wish to seek out a raw-feeding supplier. Many sell meat that can be difficult to find in your grocery store, such as goat, rabbit and deer. Additionally, many ship their products throughout the contiguous 48 United States.

Hare Today

    Hare Today is an online raw food supplier based out of a goat and rabbit farm in Springboro, Pennsylvania. The company has almost 200 items ranging from grass-fed beef and goat to turkey livers to whole rabbits and mice. The pork, beef, and sheep are sourced from local farms, and the poultry and fish are USDA-inspected products. They also have several ground meat, bone and organ mixes from various animal sources, which they process in their shop, along with dehydrated pet treats. Hare Today ships its products frozen in boxes containing dry ice to the 48 contiguous U.S. states, and also allows you to pick up your order at the farm with advance notice.

My Pet Carnivore

    My Pet Carnivore, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, supplies meat, bones and organs from locally farmed, naturally raised animals. Some of the more exotic animals include bison, goose and muskrat. Like Hare Today, My Pet Carnivore sells ground mixes as well as whole chunks of meat, along with a selection of dehydrated treats and snacks. My Pet Carnivore ships its products frozen in insulated boxes to the 48 contiguous U.S. states, and also delivers to certain pick-up locations in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan on a monthly basis. The cost of delivery ranges between $10 and $15 depending on location.

Oma's Pride

    Oma's Pride is a division of Miller Foods, a family-owned and operated business located in Avon, Connecticut. The supplier sells whole and ground versions of several types of animals ranging from beef and chicken to llama and kangaroo. Although the usefulness of fruit and vegetables in a dog's diet is controversial, Oma's Pride sells fruit and vegetable products. Oma's Pride also sells dehydrated raw products under the name O'Paws. Although Oma's Pride distributes products to retailers in the contiguous 48 U.S. states, they do not ship to individual customers.

Blue Ridge Beef

    Blue Ridge Beef is a family-owned and operated raw pet food manufacturer that has several dealers primarily in the southeastern United States, although there are a few in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The company uses locally raised beef and chicken to produce 2- and 5-lb "chubs," or rolls of ground meat mixes. Although they do sell raw bones and shank knuckles, they do not sell whole chunks of meat or dehydrated pet treats like Hare Today and My Pet Carnivore do. Blue Ridge Beef delivers small orders to select locations in the southeastern U.S. via Federal Express.

How to Lose 27 Pounds in 30 Days on Dr Oz's Miracle Diet

How to Lose 27 Pounds in 30 Days on Dr Oz's Miracle Diet

Losing weight following the Dr Oz miracle diet can be a good way to shed those extra pounds. We all know that losing weight is not easy to do but once you find a plan that works for you and your body then there is no limit at the amount of weight that you can lose.

Instructions

    1

    First it is important that you learn about the Dr. Oz diet plan so that you get familiar with the way it works. Many people have had success loosing weight using his plan. You can also shed extra unwanted pounds so that you can be more healthy and look great as well.

    2

    Next you want to use the super food that he suggest in his diet plan with is the acai berry. It comes from Brazil and has been proven to help people lose weight quickly. You need to make sure that you use the right concentrate of the acai berry so that you get great heath benefits and then you can reach your weight lose goals.

    3

    Losing weight can be a struggle as you might be aware of, so finding a plan that will give you success is important. You may have tried other diet plans only to find out they do not work well for you but you should never give up. To be successful with your weight loss goals you need to find a plan that you can stick with until you reach your goals.

    4

    Finally remember that it is not always easy to lose weight. Using the Dr. Oz weight lose plan can be a great way to lose weight and feel good about yourself. Many people have been successful on this plan and this is a good way to gauge if a diet plan works well. Take advantage of this great weight lose plan and lose weight today.

Diet During an Acute Gout Attack

Gout, a form of arthritis, affects joints of big toes, knees and ankles. The condition develops because joints have excessive amounts of uric acid, the chemical created when purines break down. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says uric acid dissolves in the blood, goes to the kidneys and leaves in urine. Uric acid buildup causes acute gout attacks; symptoms include throbbing pain, tenderness and redness. Your diet during an acute gout attack can relieve the symptoms.

Avoid Purines

    Avoid foods containing high amounts of purines. The World's Healthiest Foods website says purines are natural substances in our cells and in foods. They hold the genetic material for plants and animals. Foods high in purines include many items that are considered healthy. The U.S. National Library of Medicine says some of these foods are anchovies, sardines, oils, herring, organ meats and sweetbreads, dried beans and peas, gravy, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, and baking or brewer's yeast. Other foods include broth, caviar, goose, lamb, wild game, scallops, shrimp, mackerel and meat extracts. Eating these foods increases the amount of uric acid in the body, making your acute gout attack worse.

Eat Healthy

    Choose a variety of healthy foods to eat during an acute gout attack. Healthwise website says to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and eggs, nuts and seeds for protein. Choose 2 or 3 oz. of lean protein like chicken or fish a day.

    Eat as many cherries as you want. Gout Diet Tips website says eating 250 grams of fresh or canned cherries a day decreases the amount of uric acid in your body because of the quercetin and bromelain. Quercetin suppresses histamine production, the immune response that can cause inflammation. Bromelain helps the body absorb quercetin and break up uric acid crystals. Blueberries and dark and dark-red cherries provide the same benefits.

Consume Low-Fat Dairy

    Consume low-fat dairy products like low-fat or skim milk and yogurt. Dairy decreases occurrences of acute gout. A 12-year study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that men who increased the amount of dairy they consumed had fewer gout flare-ups.

Stay Hydrated

    Drink lots of water. Fluids flush uric acid out of the body. Dr. April Chang-Miller, a Mayo Clinic rheumatologist, says to avoid or limit alcohol consumption because they increase the risk of hyperuricemia, a condition that interferes with uric acid removal. Sweetened soft drinks increase gout risks. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day.

Characteristics of a Restricted Cholesterol Diet

Dietary cholesterol--or cholesterol from daily meals--comes entirely from animal products, so any successful restricted cholesterol diet includes as few animal products as possible. But fats such as trans fats that don't contain actually contain dietary cholesterol or animal products can also raise levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and lower rates of HDL ("good") cholesterol. A successful restricted cholesterol diet minimizes consumption of these fats as well.

A Plant-Based Diet

    A diet that focuses on plant-based foods uses beans and nuts as its main sources of protein. If the diet includes any meat or dairy products, they tend to be condiments, rather than primary ingredients. A healthy plant-based diet should be effectively balanced, including proteins, complex carbohydrates, and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. There are plenty of plant-based meat substitutes on the market, and some of them are very good. When choosing an imitation meat product, check labels carefully to find an option that is low in saturated fat. A successful restricted cholesterol diet offers substantial variety, so you don't miss meat and dairy. Explore the extraordinary variety of the vegetable kingdom, as well as the undervalued diversity of available beans.

High-Fiber Foods

    In addition to limiting consumption of dietary cholesterol, a successful restricted cholesterol diet will include plenty of fiber, to help your system process any cholesterol you may still consume, and also to help cleanse your system. Beans are especially high in fiber, as are fresh vegetables. Whole grains contain plenty of fiber and oats, in particular, help to lower cholesterol levels.

Good Cholesterol

    A restricted cholesterol diet usually limits foods that contain LDL ("bad") cholesterol, while including foods that contain HDL ("good") cholesterol. Foods high in HDL cholesterol include cold water fish, such as salmon, albacore, and mackerel. Eggs from healthy chickens and beef from grass-fed animals contain higher levels of HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol than eggs and meat from animals raised on factory farms. But if you are restricting your cholesterol intake, you should still limit your consumption of these products.

Healthy and Unhealthy Fats

    If you are eating a restricted cholesterol diet, you should also avoid plant-based foods that can cause your body to produce LDL cholesterol. Limit consumption of saturated fats and avoid trans fats altogether. Check nutritional data on product labels. Avoid margarine and mainstream fried foods.

Sabtu, 17 Agustus 2013

Juice Diet Colon Cleanse

Years of unhealthy eating can harm the colon's ability to function. The colon is like a sink or toilet pipeline: When it gets clogged with junk, it can't function well. "The Detox Book" by Bruce Fife explains that a diet high in processed foods and animal products can lead to constipation, colitis and diverticulitis. To help fix these problems, a juice-diet colon cleanse is like a drain-cleaner equivalent: It helps push out residual matter, which ultimately improves your digestion and ability to process waste.

Stick With Produce

    A colon cleanse can be accomplished with just fruit, vegetables, water and leafy greens. Avoid taking any diet pills or adding powders. The most successful juice cleanses do not have to be complicated and if balanced with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, can include just about all nutrients needed for good health.
    Though the juice diet should be well rounded and include many types of fruits and vegetables, don't feel compelled to use a certain fruit or vegetable if you don't like it. Try to use your favorite six fruits, four vegetables and two types of leafy greens.
    Common fruits for juicing are oranges, berries, mangos, peaches, pineapple, cucumber, honeydew, watermelon, apples and tomatoes. Typical vegetables include celery, bell peppers, carrots, beets and corn. Leafy greens to juice are romaine, spinach, collard greens, arugula and kale.

Do Not Skip Leafy Greens

    Many of those who are new to juicing don't realize how tasty juiced leafy greens can be and avoid drinking them. Do not make this mistake. "Greens Glorious Greens" by Johnna Albi and Catherine Walthers extols the virtues of leafy greens as a great source of iron, vitamin K and other minerals not found in fruit alone. These greens even reduce the risk of colon cancer and have magnesium, which helps your teeth.
    To ease into the taste of greens, use a small handful of mild-tasting greens such as spinach and romaine in your smoothies. Parsley can add a nice taste to juice, as well. As your tastebuds begin to adjust to the bitterness, increase the quantity of greens. Then try stronger, darker leafy greens such as kale and swiss chard.
    Pair apples and cucumber with your leafy greens. Use celery, as well. Though this next concoction may not be entirely juice, adding in a blended banana to your greens can offset the bitterness. Author Victoria Boutenko adds mint and dandelions to create green smoothies.

Experiment in the Kitchen

    Because of the hundreds of fruits and vegetables available, the possibilities are endless. Just five fruits, three vegetables and two leafy greens yield 30 distinct combinations. Therefore, if you begin to feel deprived of solid foods, some new recipes with the blender could be just what you need.

Paleo Foods List

Paleo Foods List

The Paleolithic diet, or Paleo diet, looks to the diets of early humans for inspiration. The diet is structured around the belief that modern humans retain the genetic makeup of the humans in the Paleollithic Age, which ended 10,000 years ago. Paleo dieters believe in replacing processed foods and carbohydrates with more natural products like lean meats and fruits and vegetables.

Allowed Foods

    The Paleo diet encourages dieters to eat healthier meats, eggs, vegetables and fruits. Allowed meats include any lean cut of beef or pork, poultry, organ meats and game meat. Up to six weekly servings of chicken, duck or goose eggs is encouraged. Nearly any kind of fish and shellfish fall into the encouraged category of foods.

    All fruits and all non-starch vegetables are permissible. Snack on nuts and seeds, including almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Peanuts and peanut butter fall into the foods to avoid category.

Moderation Foods

    The Paleo diet allows moderate consumption of certain foods. Olive, canola and other oils shouldn't exceed 4 tsps. per day. Drink diet sodas, coffee and tea sparingly. Two 4-oz. glasses of wine, one 12-oz. beer or a 4-oz. drink of spirits per day are allowed. Calm a sweet tooth with up to 2 oz. of dried fruit or a fruit and nut blend that adds 4 oz. of nuts.

Forbidden Foods

    The diet doesn't allow dairy products of any sort. This includes milk, butter, yogurt, ice cream and cheese. Grains also earn a total ban, removing foods made of wheat, oats, rice, rye, corn or barley. No beans, including soybeans, should be consumed.

    Fatty meats, salty processed foods, sweets and starchy vegetables are also out. Essentially, any food that requires processing or contains fat, sugar or salt doesn't belong in this diet.

Caveman Diets

Caveman Diets

Anthropologist Katherine Milton of University of California-Berkeley believes all ancient societies ate three main diets: wild animals, wild plants or one cultivated starch accompanied by wild animals or wild plants. The earliest humans were vegetarian foragers. Eventually, they became nomadic hunters and gatherers who followed available food supplies. A recent trend is the resurgence of the caveman diet from 2.5 million years ago. The so-called Paleo Diet consists of low-fat proteins, healthy fats and few carbohydrates, using natural foods with no processing, genetic altering or chemicals. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Eating History

    Human ancestors the Ramapithecines foraged on wild grains and grasses that grew on the ground's surface. Australopithecus had massive teeth and jaw muscles to chew coarse, fibrous plants, hard nuts and abrasive seeds. Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Neanderthals ate plants and scavenged for lean meats and bone marrow from dead, partially eaten animals. As cavemen evolved into hunters and gatherers, they began to hunt, fish and forage. Their diet consisted mostly of plants and small animals, with occasional large prey.

Eating Habits

    Cavemen ate out of need, which maintained a lean muscle mass and healthy weight. Since the caveman had to ration food, he limited his intake to smaller portions. When food became scarce, he was forced to fast until food sources became available again. For liquid nourishment and to prevent dehydration, he drank lots of water from fresh springs and streams. He brewed teas from needles, bark, flowers and leaves. He snacked on insects, wild fruits and plants. He hunted and harvested only what he needed to survive and consumed almost the entire carcass with very little waste.

Animal Protein

    The land and sea animals cavemen ate had higher protein and less fat than today's domesticated animals. Their diet resembled the aborigine diet -- 81 percent vegetable and 19 percent animal. Generally, they ate anything they could catch. If they lived near the sea, they ate fish, turtles, crocodiles and shell animals like mollusks and gastropods. They ate insects, waterfowl, seals and antelope. They consumed considerable fat from animal organs, bone marrow, eggs, tongue, eyeballs and gut.

Plants and Other Edibles

    Cavemen consumed little salt. They ate sugar in the form of honey or tree sap. They often ate raw fruits and vegetables. Their diverse plant diet consisted of wild fruits, berries, flowers, leaves, roots, legumes, nuts, seed and fungi. Most caveman carbohydrates came from fiber-rich, underground plant parts such as yams, carrots, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, but they also ate bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, grasses and sedges. They ate wild fruits that had lots of fibrous pulp and multiple seeds.

Recommended Diet for Gout Sufferers

Gout is a painful condition that usually attacks the big toe, but can affect other joints like the elbow, wrist, finger, knee, heal, instep and ankle.

If you suffer from gout, you know that it can become painful enough that the slightest touch is unbearable.

Symptoms of Gout

    According to MedicineNet.com, gout attacks come on rapidly. Symptoms begin with pain accompanied by warmth in the joint area, swelling, tenderness and redness.

    Acute gout attacks can cause a fever in the gout sufferer, and episodes of gout can last for a few hours to days or even weeks.

Causes

    While everyone has uric acid in their body, if you suffer from gout, you undoubtedly have accumulated higher levels. Uric acid is the product of the breakdown of purines, which are found in many foods. If your body isn't able to process the uric acid, then an overabundance occurs.

    Uric acid causes sodium urate crystals to form in your joints. These crystals can lead to painful inflammation. Over time, hard deposits may form in your joints, ultimately damaging them.

Who Gets Gout

    According to Gout.com, gout usually strikes between the ages of 40 and 50 in men, and after menopause in women.

    In women, other conditions such as high blood pressure that affects the kidneys, or medications that affect the body's ability to process uric acid, may be a contributing factor.

    Men are more prone to gout attacks than women, and children and young adults rarely suffer from gout.

Diet for Gout

    To eat the best foods for gout, you must consume a diet that contains foods that are fresh, with the least processing possible.

    For your healthy gout diet, concentrate on helping your body rid itself of uric acid--drink plenty of liquids, focusing on drinking lots of water to help flush out your system.

    Bio-Medicine reports that eating low-fat dairy products can help to reduce the risk of gout, so be sure to get your dairy servings in each day.

    Low-purine foods will produce less uric acid in your body. These include rice, pasta, olives, eggs, fruits, green vegetables, tomatoes, breads, coffee and chocolate. Note that even though coffee and chocolate are low in purines, you should still consume them in moderation.

Foods to Avoid

    Your diet for gout involves not only eating the best foods for gout, but avoiding purine producing foods that may help trigger or aggravate gout.

    According to Gout.com, foods that should be avoided if you suffer from gout are: organ meats, beef, pork and lamb, oatmeal, dried beans, lentils and peas, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower and alcohol. Seafood such as sardines, anchovies, herring, scallops, haddock, trout and cod should also be avoided.

Jumat, 16 Agustus 2013

What to Eat on a Protein Diet

There are many people who resort to eating a diet that is high in protein for various reasons. Sometimes it is for weight loss and other times it is due to medical reasons. But perhaps the most popular reason is to gain lean muscle mass. Regardless of the reason, the important thing to know is what to eat.

Meats

    Meats are one of the most fundamental and common sources of protein. Chicken, beef and turkey are the most popular. To avoid getting a lot of fat, eat skinless poultry. And leaner cuts of beef should be eaten in moderation.

Fish

    Fish is not only a good source of protein but some fish also has healthy fat in it. These fats are called Omega-3 fatty acids. Cold-water fish like salmon, herring and mackerel contain this fat.

Dairy

    Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream all contain protein. In addittion, they also contain calcium.

Beans

    Beans are a staple in many vegetarian's diets. They resort to them as a source of protein. Being that they are considered an incomplete protein because they do not have all the essential amino acids represented, they are often times eaten in combination with other foods like rice.

Edamame

    Soybeans, also known as edamame, are a very popular source of protein in Japanese restaurants. They have also been gaining momentum as a family favorite. Not only are they a good source of protein, but they also are high in fiber.

Seeds and Nuts

    Seeds and nuts have a respectable amount of protein. They are also made into nut and seed butters and used as a source of protein. They can be used in sandwiches, spread across fruit and also added to smoothies.

Tuna & Water Diet & Weight Loss

A diet consisting of only tuna and water will cause more health problems than they will fix. You will probably lose weight, assuming your metabolism doesn't crash, but you will lose both fat and muscle. You will not feel good, you will quickly accumulate nutritional deficiencies that will impair your health, and you will not be able to sustain this diet as a lifestyle and therefore the weight will come back. If you want to achieve long-term success, the concept of this diet can be used but it needs to be heavily tweaked.

Protein

    Tuna is a great source of protein. It's incredibly lean and the fat it does contain is healthy omega-3 fat. The problem with tuna comes about from the amount of pollution that exists in the water. Tuna unfortunately contains levels of mercury that can be harmful to your health if tuna is the only thing you eat. What you should do is get a variety of lean meat protein sources such as other types of fish, lean cuts of beef, turkey, and chicken. There are many ways to prepare these types of protein sources and heavy use of rubs, herbs, and spices can provide a lot of calorie-free variety.

Carbohydrates

    Your body needs some carbohydrates to function effectively. Brain function is improved and energy levels are typically higher. The key to eating carbs is timing and type. You should eat the majority of your carbs for breakfast, lunch, and right after you work out. Try to avoid heavy carb intake in the evenings or right before you go to bed. If you workout in the evenings, don't worry about consuming a bunch of carbs right after. Your body needs the energy to repair itself and it will easily make use of the carbs you eat. The other issue with carbs is the type. If you are sensitive to carbs, you want to stick with low-glycemic carbs such as oatmeal, yams, and brown rice. The less processed it is, the better. These types of carbs usually have higher levels of fiber and are digested more slowly. This keeps your insulin levels from spiking and gives you a feeling of satiety for a longer period of time.

Vegetables

    Green vegetables are your freebie. You can eat as much vegetables as you want. Don't soak them in dressing, cheese, or any other calorie-laden addition. You can eat them raw, steamed, boiled, seared, grilled, or however you want. It is next to impossible to eat too many vegetables. Vegetables will also go a long way to improving your health because of all the nutrients and fiber each vegetable provides. You should eat vegetables with every meal and as snacks throughout the day.

Water

    Water should be your go-to drink not only for your diet, but also as part of your lifestyle. Water has no calories and is necessary for the healthy function of your body. Do not drink sodas, diet or otherwise, juice, alcohol, or anything that contains sugar. Non-water drinks can add a surprising amount of calories to your daily intake and can easily sabotage your efforts. Tea is a great alternative if you can't drink just water. Use a sweetener if you must but do not use sugar. Eventually you can add back a limited amount of your favorite drinks but keep in mind the amount of empty calories you are consuming.

Kamis, 15 Agustus 2013

How to Build Muscle on a Vegan Diet

How to Build Muscle on a Vegan Diet

Abiding by a strict vegan diet offers a lot of benefits, such as low cholesterol and a healthy digestive system. But it also presents some challenges, especially for those who want to build muscle, due to the difficulty in getting enough protein and iron from vegetables. However, with the right plan and the willpower to go through with it, you can create a diet and workout routine that will give your muscles the adequate fuel and stimulation to grow.

Instructions

    1

    Eat between 0.7 and 1 g of protein per pound of lean muscle. If you weight 180 lb. and have 10 percent body fat, for example, that means you have 162 lb. of lean muscle and should get between 150 and 160 g of protein per day to build muscle. Eat high-protein foods such as black beans, lentils and brown rice, almond butter sandwiches, soy milkshakes, green peas and nuts.

    2

    Get 20 to 30 percent of your calories from healthy fats such as flaxseed oil, olive oil, nuts and avocados. Consume coconut oil or milk to get the required amount of saturated fat in your diet. According to the American Health Association, you should get only 7 percent of your total calories from saturated fat. A gram of saturated fat contains about 9 calories.

    3

    Snack on nuts all the time. Keep walnuts, almonds and peanuts handy so that whenever you have the craving, they are nearby, making impulsive snacking actually helpful for your body. Nuts provide essential calories and fat that you won't find as much in vegetables, which will help you avoid undernourishment. Nuts also have lots of protein that are the building blocks of muscles. Eat enough of them so that they contribute a few hundred calories to your diet.

    4

    Follow a short, high-intensity exercise program by lifting heavy weights at low reps, as a vegan's diet does not support the recovery needed to train at a high volume and frequency. Use dumbbells and pull-ups to focus on the upper body - biceps, triceps, chest, back and shoulders - two days per week, doing five sets of just five reps on each exercise and increasing the weight by five to 10 lb. as you become more adept at doing the exercises. Do the same for the lower body twice a week, using squats, dead-lifts and get-ups to work out your legs. Keep your workouts under 45 minutes. Drink a soy-, rice- or hemp-based protein shake afterward to boost muscle growth.