Vegan Diet for Kidney Disease

Vegans, who eat only plant-based products, will want to increase consumption of vegetarian proteins. These actually slow down the progression of kidney disease and other associated complications such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Goals

Joan Brookshyer is a registered dietitian, a vegetarian and author of the book "The Vegetarian Diet for Kidney Disease Treatment." According to Brookshyer, "Nutrition management focuses on decreasing waste product buildup from digested foods, which would normally leave the body as urine. The primary goals of planning a diet with plant-based foods are obtaining the appropriate amount of plant protein to meet protein needs while minimizing waste product buildup in the blood, maintaining sodium, potassium and phosphorus balance, and maintaining good nutrition."

Dr. Eric Castle, a urologist with the Mayo Clinic, says the best protein sources for a vegan renal diet include soy milk, soy yogurt, nut butters (up to two tablespoons, or around 28 grams), wheat protein (seitan), soy protein (like tofu and tempeh), and Quorn, the brand name for mycoprotein, a meat-free form of high-quality protein.

A vegan diet for kidney disease should include soy-based foods as a healthy alternative, but patients must still consult a registered dietitian, preferably one who specializes in kidney nutrition, for advice on an ideal balance.

Benefits

The quality of protein in any food is based upon the level of amino acids it contains. Most soy-foods possess amino acids comparable in benefit to that found in animal products. But the true advantage of soy is showcased in the overall advantages it offers specific to those with kidney problems. Soy contributes to a significant drop in cholesterol and other lipids in the blood. Soy also contains a natural compound called isoflavones, found primarily in beans, that is believed to contribute to kidney health.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least 25 grams of soy protein daily. This can easily be achieved with one soy burger (10-12 grams of protein,) an 8-ounce glass of soy milk (10 grams of protein) and four ounces of tofu (13 grams of protein).

Good and Bad

Unfortunately, highly processed alternative products such as veggie burgers, veggie chick-patties, veggie sausage and similar items should be limited in a kidney-healthy diet. Most contain excessive levels of sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Consumption of soy nuts, soybeans, edamame and miso should also be strictly moderated.

As plant-based diets are lower in calories than animal-based plans, those with kidney disease must be especially cognizant of the need not to lose weight. Brookshyer suggests a few healthy ways to add additional calories to a diet such as sweets. "Even though a high-sugar diet is not the best choice for food, on occasion these calories can be beneficial to avoid weight loss," she says. "Good choices are jellybeans, hard candy, sherbets or sorbet." Soy shakes with soy milk, tofu, rice milk and nondairy frozen dessert are also treats that will provide additional calories.

How to Improve Liver & Kidney Function

According to Pureinsideout.com, the liver, kidney, colon and skin are the main organs responsible for cleansing the body. If the liver or the kidney is diseased or sluggish, it cannot function property. This leaves the body vulnerable to infection, disease and other problems. Cleansing the liver and kidneys can help improve their function. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best ways to promote good liver and kidney performance.

Instructions

1

Drink water. The body requires at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids each day, reports the American Dietetic Association. Water is necessary for the liver to create bile and for the kidneys to produce urine. Fluids also wash wastes from all the organs of the body. In addition to water, drink fruit juices, vegetable juices and herbal teas. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine also helps keep the kidneys and the liver healthy.

2

Exercise more. Exercise is important for good digestive health, reports the Mayo Clinic. It stimulates activity of the intestines, helps keep the muscles in the digestive tract moving and also helps lethargic organs increase their activity. Exercise also burns fat tissue, where many toxins are stored. All types of exercise help the liver and kidneys, so do those you enjoy and are comfortable doing.

3

Eat better. A diet with adequate fiber, protein and carbohydrates and limited high-fat foods supplies the liver and kidneys with the resources they need to carry out their many processes. According to the Mayo Clinic, many liver problems can be prevented. The Mayo Clinic suggests choosing "a plant-based diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables"--high-fiber foods that help move things efficiently through the digestive tract. Other high-fiber foods are whole grains and legumes. A good daily dose of fiber is 20 to 35 grams.

4

Use herbs. Many herbs can help boost the function of the liver and the kidneys. The Gay Men's Health Crisis Center recommends milk thistle, dandelion, burdock root and ginger. Vitaminstohealth.com recommends uva ursi, horsetail, couch grass, parsley and nettle as cleansing herbs. Take only one herb for each organ, and start with a small dosage. See an herbalist for more advice.

Protein Food Chart

To maintain a healthy body, everyone needs a balanced amount of protein. The protein is needed for ensuring growth and development, maintaining and repairing the cells, regulating body functions and carrying out certain tasks that cannot be done by the fats and carbohydrates. A protein chart will help you keep track of your daily intake.

Definition

Protein is necessary for a nutritionally balanced diet. It consists of different types of minute organic chemicals called amino acids, which the body absorbs to make new proteins and other important substances. Although bodies are able to make some proteins without food, they can only make the nine essential amino acids from a person's diet. When a food consists of enough of the nine essential amino acids, such as meat, it is a complete protein. Those that lack one or more, for example fruit, are called incomplete proteins.

Amount

The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences provides a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein, depending on someone's age and weight. In most cases, a person needs about 15 percent of protein a day. This is about four calories per gram. If you are to have 2,000 calories a day, about 300 would come from protein. However, how much protein you need is based on the amount of muscle that is already in your body or that you want to build. A diet that has a lot of protein helps increase muscle more quickly. In order to know how many proteins you are consuming, look for a protein chart online, at the library or at a book store. It will include food item, portion, calories and grams.

Comparison

The amount of protein for athletes is about twice that of non-athletes due to the calories burned. Children who are under the age of 18 require additional protein for their growth. The younger a child is, the more protein is needed per each pound of body weight. Because protein is such an important part of the body structure, and it cannot be stored, amino acids must be continually produced. If you eat high-quality protein, your body requirement will be less than from nonessential protein.

Types

The easiest way to get the right amount of protein is by eating animal products, such as fish, chicken, meat, milk products, soybeans and nuts. Foods, such as lentils, peas and beans, are second higher in protein. Other foods like fruit, lettuce and potatoes are lower in their amount of protein. These are still excellent additions to the diet. They just need to be eaten along with other protein.

Balance

Humans are omnivores. They eat both meat and plants. This is one reason why they have been able to survive. Yet, too much protein is not healthy either. Some nutritional specialists say that more than 30 percent of protein each day could be harmful. By increasing the amount of protein but not the calories or exercise, the bodily functions could be overworked and stressed and increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, strokes and kidney stones.

Raw Food Protein Diet

Raw foods are essentially living foods. They are loaded with enzymes, as the food has not been cooked. Enzymes start to break down at 106 degrees Fahrenheit and fall apart entirely at 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This means many things that have large amounts of protein--chicken and steak, for example--can't be eaten raw. So things like protein, iron and zinc must be found in other raw foods.

Sushi and other specific meat dishes

Sushi is a great way to incorporate a meat into the raw food diet, and it is loaded with protein and other important nutrients and vitamins absent from much of the uncooked food that must be eaten. Raw beef is a bit of a gamble unless you know who is preparing it; carpaccio at a fine restaurant is probably a safe bet but might be a shock to your digestion if you have only been consuming enzyme-rich food for a while.

Nuts 'n Beans

Almonds, cashews and pistachios are all high in protein, though they are also quite high in calories. Peanuts and all the things associated with them have much of the same protein content as their fellow nuts but are a bit lower in calories. Garbanzo beans and soybeans are also great sources of protein, though they take some preparation to break down the enzyme inhibitors so they can be digested more easily. This consists of soaking them in water for 12 to 15 hours to soften them up before they can be mixed with something more flavorful.

Green Veggies

Raw, organic and green leafy vegetables will give a good base of daily protein from spinach, chard and kale. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower give another type of protein. That seems to be the secret with eating greens for the source a protein: variety. Many different amino acids make up the protein molecule, and some are more prevalent in different forms of food, be it green vegetables or any of the other foods mentioned here. Variety is key so that your raw-food diet is both healthful and well-rounded.

Cascara Sagrada Benefits

Cascara sagrada is an herb commonly used for its laxative effects. It is in the buckthorn family and also called bearberry. The main chemical constituent, anthraquinones, helps to stimulate the bowel and increase fluid in the intestines. It is found in many natural health markets and often used in colon cleansing programs. It is actually one of the few herbs approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use.

How to use cascara sagrada

Cascara sagrada is generally taken by capsule, as a tincture, or as part of an herbal tea blend. The bark contains its medicinal qualities. For occasional constipation, one to two capsules should be taken before bedtime, and following large meals if needed. It should produce a bowel movement in eight to twelve hours. To help establish regularity, it can be taken for up to ten days.

Colon Cleansing

Aside from its use as a laxative, cascara sagrada helps to cleanse the bowel when used as part of a cleansing program. Used in conjunction with psyllium husks or other high fiber agent, it helps to rid the colon of built-up waste, and expel toxins from the digestive system. When used with aloe vera juice it helps to soothe the lining of the stomach and digestive tract.

Other Benefits

Because it is so powerful, cascara sagrada has been used along with other herbs to remove intestinal parasites. Its versatility and powerful effects are revered by herbalists worldwide. In fact, the name cascara sagrada, is Spanish for "sacred bark".

Natural Remedy

Aside from its use as a treatment of occasional constipation, it is believed that cascara sagrada helps to improve the tone of the colon. It is also a natural chelate. According to Clayton College of Natural Health, it has been used as a natural treatment for arthritis, bleeding, blood pressure equalization, circulation, constipation, diabetes, heart, high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Precautions

Although it is considered safe for long term use, as with any laxative there is always the danger of dependency. Some report that it can also cause gas and cramping. The fresh bark may cause nausea and vomiting. Ginger root tea helps relieve gas as well as nausea, and can be taken as needed.

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid cascara sagrada and other laxatives. Also, use caution when giving cascara to children. Those with bowel obstructions or appendicitis should not take this or any other laxatives without consulting a physician.

Isagenix Cleanse Instructions

Isagenix is a diet and nutritional program targeted at achieving weight loss and overall health. Isagenix combines its own line of cleansing and fat burning products and is intended to provide a fast but healthy way to lose weight while cleansing your body of impurities and toxins. With nutritional shakes, soups, snacks and supplements, the Isagenix system is fairly simple to follow and provides much of your nutritional needs in its pre-packaged programs. The 30-day program is the most popular, but there is also a 9-day program for those with lower weight loss goals.

Instructions

30 Day Cleanse Program

1

Skip to step 8 prior to beginning if this is your first time using the Isagenix program. It's recommended that you cleanse first if you've never used Isagenix in the past.

2

Consume two servings of IsaLean shake or soup to replace your morning and evening meal beginning on day one. Do this for every day of your program except cleanse days.

3

Eat one regular meal each day (typically lunch) in addition to your IsaLean shake or soup on all days except cleanse days. Isagenix recommends high fiber, low fat foods that total between 400 and 600 calories.

4

Take 1 to 2 ounces of Ionix Supreme and one IsaFlush capsule daily. If you become constipated, you can increase this to two IsaFlush capsules daily.

5

Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. If you weigh 140 pounds, you'd drink a minimum of 70 ounces of water. Increase your water intake on cleanse days and when you are exercising to stay properly hydrated.

6

Take two Natural Accelerator capsules each day (morning and noon).

7

Exercise at least 20 minutes daily.

8

Cleanse one day each week. To do this, add Cleanse for Life supplement to at least 8 ounces of cold water and drink 4 ounces of this mixture four times each cleanse day.

9

Eat up to 6 Isagenix Snacks per day during cleanse days, consuming one or two between your Cleanse for Life servings.

9 Day Cleanse Program

10

Cleanse on the first two days of your 9 day program by drinking 4 ounces of Cleanse for Life supplement with at least 8 ounces of cold water four times each day.

11

Take two Natural Accelerator capsules (morning and noon) each day for the entire program.

12

Drink at least eight glasses of water each day for the entire program and eat up to six Isagenix snacks.

13

Discontinue Cleanse for Life for days 3 through 7, replacing it with IsaLean shakes twice each day (usually breakfast and dinner) and one regular meal that is high in fiber and low in fat (about 400 to 600 calories). Continue taking two Natural Accelerator Capsules each day for days 3 through 7.

14

Repeat cleansing for days eight and nine, using the Cleanse for Life supplement, Isagenix snacks and Natural Accelerator capsules as you did the first two days.

Whole Food Guidelines

A whole food diet is constituted by eating fresh foods, organic when possible. The diet should be free from nearly all manufactured foods and completely free from synthetic drinks such as sodas and overly processed foods. Eating a whole food diet can introduce more fiber and good fats into a diet, as well as help repair nutrient shortages.

Organic is Best

When following a whole foods diet, it's important that the most nutritious foods are consumed. Select foods that are free from chemicals and fertilizers. It's best if the dieter can grow his own food, but if that's not an option there are many whole foods markets and farmers markets in most towns.

To achieve the most benefit from the whole foods diet, eat a large variety of foods. This provides the body with more nutrients than eating a smaller selection. Eating organic whole foods can eliminate sugar and salt cravings.

Protein

Meat can be a good source of protein in a whole foods diet, as long as specific guidelines are followed. Meat should be certified as drug- and hormone-free.

Eat fish, but avoid it if it's salted or smoked. Select fish that are high in oil. Favorite fish include herring, eel, mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna and cod roe. These fish provide an essential amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the whole food diet.

Eggs can also be eaten in moderation. Choose organically certified eggs.

Meat shouldn't be eaten at least two days a week. However, vegetable protein in the form of legumes and lentils may be eaten regularly.

Vegetables and Fruits

If available, eat certified organic fruits and vegetables. Vegetables and fruits should make up at least 40 percent of the diet. Limit the use of potatoes, and make sure when they are eaten they're small with the skin on.

Cooked vegetables, raw vegetables and fruit can easily be added into the whole foods diet by including them in the snack routine. Eat at least three servings of fruit a day.

Dairy

The only dairy allowed in a whole foods diet comes from sheep, goats and soy. If possible, purchase dairy products that are unpasteurized. Optimal dairy comes from sheep and goats that are home raised. That way, milk can be consumed fresh after it hits the pail.

Avoid

Never eat products that come from cow's milk. Do not use salt, sugar, coffee, alcohol or any tea that is not an herbal tea.

The Best Vegetables to Eat on a Low Carb Diet

When you're looking to cut carbs, veggies are your best bet. High in fiber and flavor, low in carbs and fat, vegetables are also a natural way to improve your health while watching your carbohydrate intake.

Want to get the most out of your low-carb veggies? With a little knowledge and ingenuity, you can eat low-carb and have a tasty, varied diet too. Here's how:

Check the fiber

You may already know that you can subtract the fiber from your food's carbohydrate count. Unless you are sensitive to fiber, your body doesn't process it; if your food has more than 5 grams of fiber per serving, subtract the entire fiber content from the number of carbohydrates to find out what you're really getting.

For example, if your food has 28 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of fiber per serving, you're only processing 22 fiber grams.

Vegetables are famously high in fiber and low in carbs -- as long as you choose wisely. Avocado (technically a fruit) is your best choice, with 17 grams of carbs and 11 grams of fiber. Also try artichokes, beans, broccoli and leafy greens.

Get creative

When you're trying to lose weight, your options can sometimes seem limited. But lifetime veggie lovers know there are tons of interesting flavors in the vegetable realm.

For example, miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), pictured here, is a native green in Western states. It's got more flavor than lettuce, and more nutrition -- plus, it dresses up any salad.

Take your next chance to go to a farmer's market and talk to the growers about their crops. Ask them what tastes best, what's in season, and how they prepare it. You might pick up some new favorite foods and recipes.

Try roasting your veggies with plenty of spices, making veggie kabobs, chopping up a slaw-style salad and mixing new flavors.

Low-carb veggie list

Here's a general list of vegetables that are low-carbohydrate (all the veggies listed have 10 net carbs or less) and high in fiber:
Artichoke
Arugula
Asparagus
Avocado
Bell Peppers
Bok Choy
Broccoli/Broccoli Rabe
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Corn
Cucumber
Daikon
Edamame
Eggplant
Endive
Fennel
Green Beans
Hearts of Palm
Jicama
Kale
Lettuce
Mushrooms (most varieties)
Okra
Onion
Peas (Green, Snow, Sugar Snap)
Pumpkin
Radicchio
Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Squash (some varieties)
Tomatoes
Turnips
Zucchini

What Is a Ready Made Diet Food Plan?

People use diets for many different reasons. Some people diet to lose weight, while others diet in order to follow specific nutritional needs as a result of pre-existing conditions or prepare for athletic competition. There are several ways you can follow a diet. You can prepare a diet with the aid of medical professional such as a nutritionist. You can follow standard guidelines about eating and create your own diet plan. You can also purchase a ready-made diet food plan. A ready-made diet food plan is one in which most food choices are made for you in advance.

How it Works

To use a ready-made food plan, you typically start by contacting the company that provides the food. You will then often be referred to an employee of the food provider. The employee will discuss your nutritional goals, any medical conditions you have as well as how long you want to be on the diet. An employee may or may not have specific training in the field of dietary nutrition. The employee will also discuss how the plan works. Most often you will have a range of food choices. You may be given the option of picking out the appetizer and main course that you prefer from two or three choices. Once you've made the selections you prefer you can expect the food to be delivered. Food delivery can take up to a week. Many ready-made foods are frozen or require refrigeration so make room in your kitchen beforehand.

Choices

A ready made plan will usually offer you choices about exactly what particular food you would like to purchase. Some food plans provide all meals and snacks for an entire time frame, such as a month. Other food plans may provide only two meals a day or only a main course and not any additional accompaniments. Companies that do not provide complete meals will often suggest a list of foods that users can add to make to a complete meal, such as a list of vegetables or acceptable starches. You may also be able to purchase additional items from the company at a local food store.

Costs

The costs of ready-made food plans vary. In general, expect to pay more for more inclusive meals and less for meals that only include a few items. If you have very specific dietary requirements, such as gluten-free meals or kosher items, expect to pay more. Some companies charge by the week and others charge by the month. You can usually pay by check or credit card. Meal costs may be tax deductible if you are following a doctor's orders. As of September 2009, you can expect to pay about $150-$200 per week for a plan that covers all meals for a single person.

How to Lose 20 Pounds With High Protein

High-protein dieters get the bulk of their calories from protein. According to proponents of the diet, it is particularly effective for people who are less concerned with losing weight and more concerned with losing fat; because your muscles need protein to grow, an increase of protein will encourage your body to shuttle this protein to your muscles and burn fat for fuel. Protein is also filling, which makes it easier to cut calories. Safe weight loss is around a pound or two a week, so losing 20 pounds on a high-protein diet should take between 10 and 20 weeks.

Instructions

1

Weigh yourself, write down everything you eat for a few days, then weigh yourself again. The average number of calories you consumed per day is your maintenance level -- the number you need to consume to neither gain nor lose weight.

2

Increase your protein intake so that 30 percent of your calories come from it. You also need to reduce your net calorie intake by 500 a day to lose a pound a week. You can either do this by eating less, exercising more or both, but it is important to consume fewer calories -- simply changing the amount of protein you eat won't cause you to lose weight.

3

Eat a source of lean protein with every meal, and for two small snacks a day. Cottage cheese, tofu and yogurt are all good lower-calorie sources of protein. Meat has a lot of protein too, but most meat is calorie dense, with the exceptions of skinless chicken breasts, some fish and lean beef.

4

Reduce your carbohydrate intake to 50 percent of your total calories. This will create a gap to be filled with proteins.

5

Change your carbohydrate intake from simple (white) sources to complex (whole grain and vegetable) sources. Your body can process these sources more efficiently and is less-inclined to store them as fat.

6

Eliminate fast food, soft drinks and premade processed meals from your diet, as these consist of a lot of calories but few nutrients, which means your body will have no choice but to store them as fat.

7

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. This can be any kind of exercise you want, although a combination of weight training and cardiovascular work is the most effective. Exercise breaks down the fibers in your muscles, forcing your body to send protein to them, thus encouraging muscle growth and fat loss.

30-Day Detox Diet

There are always new diets and ideas for diets being developed. One such diet is the Healthy Direct 30-day detox diet. Detoxing your body has become a well-known way to help cleanse your body while losing weight. It helps remove toxins from your system that can cause harm and damage. With this diet, you detox your body for 30 days.

Healthy Direct

With the Healthy Direct 30-day detox diet, the first step is to take two detox pills three times a day. The cleanse detox pills are a combination of all natural herbs and plant extracts. Some of the plant extracts in the cleanse detox pills are milk thistle, dandelion leaf, burdock, celery seed powder and green tea extract. There are other herbs in it as well that are known to act as natural diuretics and laxatives to help clean out your bowels. You will also find antioxidants to rejuvenate the body and help fight off illness.

The detox pills also contain natural ingredients such as spirulina, garlic powder, spinach powder and beetroot juice powder. This combination helps your body develop natural intestinal bacteria that aid in digestion and fight off bacteria. Because the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, it needs to be as healthy as possible. You will find a probiotic, known as lactobacillus sporogenes. Lactobacillus sporogenes helps ward off bacteria.

For Stage 2, take two of the Healthy Direct Restore capsules three times a day for 15 consecutive days. Your treatment will then be complete. The Restore pills contain spirulina, garlic powder and milk thistle extract.

The benefit of this program is that the first step removes all the unwanted waste and sludge from your body, while Step 2 restores and strengthens your system. Losing all the sludge in your gastrointestinal tract helps you lose weight and strengthen your defenses.

30-Day Detox Diet

When you complete a long detox program, such as a 30-day diet, it requires you to learn about the human body to know what you need nutrition-wise so you do not deplete yourself of vital nutrients and vitamins. If you do not eat any meat over the 30 days, make sure you are getting your protein and amino acids from another source. There are eight amino acids that you should get from food. It is wise to talk with a nutritionist before starting a long detox program, so you can learn which foods contain which amino acids.

Certain foods such as grains, beans, nuts and seeds make up incomplete proteins. But you can eat them in a certain combination for them to become complete proteins. All of the following foods are considered incomplete proteins, but if you eat them in a certain combination, they are complete.

You can make complete amino acids by eating a combination of vegetarian dietary sources. These amino acids can be found in the following foods:

1. L-lysine: Potatoes, soy products, lima beans and yeast.
2. Methionine: Garlic, onions, lentils and beans.
3. Phenylalanine: Almonds, avocados, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.
4. Tryptophan: Barley, brown rice, soy beans and peanuts.
5. Leucine: Wheatgerm and oats.
6. Isoleucine: Wheatgerm, nuts and seeds.
7. Threonine: Nuts, beans and seeds.
8. Valine: Found in most plant foods.

An example of mixing these foods is if you were to mix brown rice with beans. This makes a good combination for getting your amino acids. Another way is to mix potatoes, soy products, lima beans and yeast.

Benefits

One of the advantages of a 30-day detox diet is that you are giving your body enough time to adjust to the diet, and your body becomes used to a healthy way of living. When you do quicker detox diets, your body may not adjust as fast and this can be harder on your system. Thirty days also gives you a longer time to remove all the toxins out of your body. It allows your body to get the most out of the detox program. It takes time to adjust to a new way of living, and with a 30-day detox program, you have the time to learn this new way of living and eating. According to Sarah Buchanan, author of, "Detox Made Easy," after 30 days your body will feel lighter and fresher. Thirty days also gives you a greater chance of sticking with your new, better habits.

Raw Food Diet Menu Ideas

The raw food diet is a plant-based system of eating that attracts health enthusiasts worldwide. It can be a nutritionally sound dietary program if it is approached with proper education and diverse food choices. Individuals looking for a healthy alternative to their current diet might choose the raw food path.

Vegetables

Raw vegetables are a natural aspect of the raw food diet and can be the foundation of a variety of meals, including traditional lettuce salads, chopped vegetable blends and vegetable-based smoothies.

Fruits

Raw fruits can be used to create creamy puddings, smoothies, raw fruit ice creams, fruit salads and dehydrated fruit leather.

Nuts

Soaked nuts are a popular ingredient for raw foodists, as they can easily be used to create nut pts, cheese-like sauces and gravies and meaty textures within salads or vegetable wraps.

Seeds

Sprouted seeds are popular additions to enhance a raw salad or vegetable wrap. They also can be combined with blended vegetables and dehydrated to create raw crackers.

Combination Meals

A typical raw food meal often contains a variety of colors and textures: It might include a raw cracker with vegetable pt and avocado served with a fruit and vegetable smoothie and a side of sprouted nuts and seeds.

Fun Fact

"Statistics show that individuals who are on a plant-based diet are 200 times less likely to develop cancer," according to Dr. John Green, a raw foodist and author.

Homemade Herbal Cleanse

In a perfect world a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains added to regular exercise would keep our bodies functioning at optimum levels. Even if you adhere to a strict regimen you may occasionally need help to remove that heavy feeling. Our bodies produce mucus after meals to protect the linings of our intestinal walls. When that mucus fails to flush completely, the layers become a thick, dark, rubbery substance that needs to be removed or cleansed.

Change Your Diet

Change your diet. Before you embark on the herbal remedy, you must change your diet to better prepare your body for the cleanse. Drink plenty of water and add proper amounts of fiber to your diet. You should be eating at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. If you aren't eating enough fiber rich foods you may take fiber supplements with a full glass of water. An adult weighing 150 lbs should be drinking two liters of water every day.

Where to Start

Start with herbs that rid your body of toxins, parasites and mucus build-up. Some herbs that fair well are wormwood, cloves and pumpkin seeds. Cloves eliminate parasitical eggs while snacking regularly on pumpkin seeds will aid in ridding your body of mature parasites. Wormwood and cloves can be ground and put in capsules.

Use psyllium seed husk powder or, since it tends to be cheaper and just as effective, flax seed powder that act as bulking agents to free the intestines of plaque build up and toxins associated with it. Follow this with cayenne pepper capsules to stimulate bowel movement.

Helpful Recipes

Consider these recipes, using them for no more than 7 days:

Bring 200 ml of water to a slow boil and add 2 cloves and 1.5 tsp of ginger, simmering for 3 minutes. Add 4 holy basil leaves and 4 mint leaves and continue to simmer 5 more minutes. Remove from heat, adding a teaspoon of lemon juice. Allow to cool then drink.

In a 10-ounce glass mix 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Stir in 2 tablespoons real grade B maple syrup. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and purified water that is room temperature. Stir and drink. Repeat this for every meal, noting that this will replace your meals for the next two days.

About Liver Cleansing With Lemon

Liver cleansing is a popular alternative treatment designed to give the liver a break from its detoxifying duties long enough to flush toxins out of the body by using fresh lemon juice, apple juice and other organic ingredients. A liver cleanse diet may last from one day to several days, and during this time, the dieter will avoid solid foods and will drink specially prepared natural liquid concoctions. Lemons are an integral part of the liver cleansing regimen.

Instructions

1

Restrict your intake of solid foods during your lemon liver cleanse. Some dieters prefer to consume only diluted organic apple juice, while others find it easier to extract juice from organic fruits and vegetables. Choose only items that are organic to prevent eating any type of herbicide or pesticide during the liver cleanse.

2

Drink 8 oz. of apple juice every 2 hours, up to 8 servings of juice per day. You may consume it full strength or dilute it with purified water. In addition, drink as much purified water as possible during your liver cleanse. Keeping bottled water with you may increase the amount you drink.

3

Squeeze 1 large fresh lemon into a drinking glass, add cup of olive oil and drink at bedtime. In addition, add 2 tbsp. of Epsom salts to cup of water and stir until the salts dissolve before drinking the solution. Both of these solutions should be consumed just before going to bed.

4

Follow this routine for one or more days, or choose an alternate form of the lemon liver cleanse diet that includes using a power vegetable juicer to remove the liquids and nutrients from your choice of organic fruits and vegetables to supplement your diet. Although this is a milder form of the lemon liver cleanse diet, it may be easier for those who experience strong hunger pangs.

5

Monitor your physical reactions to the lemon liver cleanse diet. Because you are consuming only liquids, you may experience severe diarrhea and stomach cramping. You may pass some pellet-like stool material, which alternative health advocates claim is a sign that your liver and gallbladder are ridding themselves of toxic deposits.

The Master Cleanse Ingredients & Directions

The Master Cleanse detoxification diet was developed in the 1940s by Stanley Burroughs and popularized in his book, "The Master Cleanser." Also known as the Lemonade Diet, the Master Cleanse claims to flush out harmful toxins that allegedly build up within our bodies. According to Burroughs, by following a liquid diet based on his mixture of water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper for a minimum of ten days, toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals and food additives will be removed from your system.

Single Serving

Combine two tablespoons of organic Grade B maple syrup, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (approximately half of a lemon), 1/10 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and ten ounces of distilled or spring water. Stir the mixture together and drink. You may either drink the mixture at room temperature or refrigerate until cool.
To maximize the intake of vitamins and nutrients, be sure to use fresh lemons. Packaged or concentrated lemon juice does not have the same nutritional value as fresh lemon juice and may also contain sugar and preservatives. It is also important to use either organic Grade B maple syrup or another high grade organic maple syrup rather than a low-quality maple syrup with a high sugar content.

Begin the Cleanse

In his book, "The Master Cleanser," Stanley Burroughs recommends drinking six to 12 glasses of the lemonade mixture per day for a minimum of ten days and maximum of 40 days. Burroughs suggests following the Master Cleanse three to four times a year to detoxify your system. However, most health professionals advise against fasting for more than a few days.
Many people find it convenient to make a large quantity of the lemonade mixture in the morning so that it is ready throughout the day. The mixture may be refrigerated, but discard any unused portion at the end of the day. It does not keep well, so you should plan on making a new batch every morning.

After the Cleanse

Once you have ended your cleanse and are ready to break the fast, remember to introduce solid foods back into your diet slowly. On the first day, consider limiting your intake to orange juice and herbal teas. Expand your diet to include vegetable soup on the second day. Vegetables, fruits and salads may be incorporated back into your diet on the third day. By the fourth day, you should be ready to consume regular meals, including some meat and dairy products.

Liver Detox Diet

Detoxing the liver helps rid toxic buildup that might inhibit optimal functioning. The liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood such as alcohol, drugs and pollutants; and also aids in nutrient processing. When the liver is malfunctioning, it may not produce enough bile for the gall bladder to process nutrients which can cause improper digestion and nutrient imbalance. This can leave the body more susceptible to fatigue, stomach problems, weight gain and disease. By using a liver detox diet, you can cleanse your liver and keep it at an optimal functional level.

Preparation

Prepare for the liver cleansing diet by eating nothing but raw fruits and vegetables for 3 days to 1 week preceding the start of the diet. Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily to flush the system and do not eat saturated fats or processed foods. Stay away from any alcohol or caffeine as well.

Cleansing Drinks

When you begin the liver detox diet, drink at least 2 liters of water daily and include 2 tbs. of lemon in each glass. Try fasting for at least 2 to 4 days to eliminate toxins and increase liver function. Make sure your water is filtered to remove any impurities before drinking. Drink vegetable juice either purchased from a health food store or juiced at home. Vegetables including carrots, celery, parsley and broccoli can be mixed to make a nutritious cleansing drink. If you need bulkier food during this time, try mixing these ingredients in a food processor with olive oil and lemon juice to aid digestion.

Add Some Herbs

Try drinking herbal teas such as dandelion, milk thistle and barberry while you are fasting and during the eating phase of the cleansing. These can be purchased in health food stores, or stores that sell herbs. Drink them at meals and at all times during the day to help cleanse the liver. In addition, try taking bitter herbs such as peppermint, motherwort, goldenseal, tarragon and chamomile. Evenstaronline.com states that bitters can help to increase bile production by stimulating the liver. Bile helps to increase fat metabolization and increase nutrient absorption.

Cleansing Diet

Eat an all vegetable and fruit diet for three to four days after the cleansing fast. Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic and turnips are full of nutrients that will help the liver to reestablish a healthy balance. In addition, add fruits such as watermelon, pears, grapes, apples and grapefruit to further your nutritional intake. Be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before using. Eating them raw is the most effective; however, you can steam or bake with a lid to improve taste and texture if necessary. Gradually add in regular food to maintain the positive effects of the liver detox diet.

Low GI Diet Foods

Foods that don't rapidly raise your blood sugar levels are known as low glycemic or low GI foods. Many popular diet plans are advocating low GI foods because they are more slowly digested by your body, keeping you feeling full longer. This keeps your calorie intake lower and your weight healthier. The GI index of food is shown as a number on most charts; anything under 55 is a low glycemic food. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Breads

Breads made with whole grain flours are a good choice. Whole wheat, rye and soy flours are acceptable. Avoid white bread unless it is the new, white, whole wheat style.

Vegetables

Most vegetables are low glycemic foods but there are some exceptions. Pumpkin and beets are quite high and corn and carrots, while still under 55, are higher than most.

Fruits

Some very sweet fruits have a low glycemic index. Strawberries, cherries, grapes, peaches and dried apricots don't raise your blood sugar too quickly. Dates, however, are high enough to be considered off limits.

Dairy

Good news for chocolate milk lovers: it's a low GI food. Most dairy is considered low enough for a low GI diet, but ice cream is higher than most yogurts, milk and custards.

Snacks

Chocolate, nuts and corn chips are low GI foods, but they are high in fat and calories, so eat them in moderation. Pretzels and donuts are high GI foods, as are rice cakes and muffins.

Breakfast Foods

Go for cereals based on nuts, oats, barley and--sometimes--bran. Some bran cereals contain corn syrup which put them high on the glycemic index. Choose cereals with the least artificial sweetening agents.

Low-Protein Renal Diet Meal Planning

A person with kidney disease or chronic renal insufficiency can use the low-protein renal diet to control protein intake. Following this diet involves careful research and planning to determine how much protein is in the foods you eat on a daily basis. Sticking to the plan can help you to reduce the workload of your kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.

Protein Intake

Your doctor or renal dietitian can help you determine your daily protein intake. The American Association of Kidney Patients reports that the ideal daily protein intake for someone with kidney disease is 0.6 g per kg. This means that a woman who weighs 120 lbs. would be able to eat 32.7 g of protein per day. Someone who weighs 200 lbs. would be able to eat 54.6 g of protein per day. Once you have determined how much protein you should consume each day, you can learn about the protein content of foods and pick the items you want to eat each day.

Food Research

When you start a low-protein renal diet, you need to research your favorite foods to determine their protein content. Red meats, poultry and fish typically contain high levels of protein, so you may need to eat smaller servings or eat these foods less often to reduce your protein intake. For example, 3 oz. of roasted chicken (without skin) contains 23.06 grams of protein, according to the USDA Nutrient Database. Eating only 2 oz. of roasted chicken would reduce the protein content to just 15.38 g. Choose fruits, vegetables and starches without high levels of protein to create a nutritious meal.

Menu Development

Once you have determined the protein content of the foods you eat most often, you can develop a weekly menu that helps you keep track of your protein intake. In addition to meats, eggs, nuts, legumes and dairy products typically have high levels of protein, so eat small servings of these foods or avoid eating them more than a few times per week. Round out your menu with plenty of fruits, vegetables and starches. If your doctor or renal dietitian has asked you to limit your consumption of potassium, sodium or phosphorus, choose food that have low levels of these minerals in addition to low levels of protein.

Diet Adjustments

You may need to adjust your diet based on the results of kidney function tests or on the advice of a medical professional. Creatinine, which is a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down proteins, can build up in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly. High creatinine levels can indicate that you need to further reduce your protein intake. If your kidney disease progresses to the point where you need hemodialysis, your doctor may ask you to increase your protein intake. This helps to replace protein that is lost during the dialysis process.

10 Best Puppy Foods

Choosing a puppy food for your new dog can be overwhelming. To find the best puppy foods, look for ones with human-grade protein sources and no artificial additives. Don't rule out adult dog foods, either. Many high-quality adult dog foods are appropriate for puppies and dogs of any age. Start with the foods listed here to find one that works for your puppy.

Timberwolf Ocean Blue Canid

The Timberwolf company makes foods that are appropriate for all life stages, meaning that you can feed any of their formulas to your puppy. Ocean Blue Canid is a grain-free, salmon-based food with high omega-3 content for coat and joint health. Timberwolf food can be purchased online and may be available at your local natural foods store.

Blue Buffalo Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Blue Buffalo's chicken-based puppy formula contains a special type of kibble that is made with vet-recommended vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help fight free radicals. Blue Buffalo is available in most pet supply chains and natural food stores, as well as many online retailers.

Wellness Pet Food Super5 Mix Just for Puppy

Chicken and salmon are the sources of protein in this puppy diet, which also contains ingredients designed to enhance coat health. Live and active probiotics added after cooking help your puppy maintain a healthy digestive tract. Wellness Pet Food is available online through their website and other online retailers.

Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Rabbit

This food is appropriate for dogs at all life stages, including puppies. It contains rabbit, salmon and chicken protein. The whole food formula is grain-free, gluten-free and hypoallergenic for puppies with allergies or sensitive skin. Nature's Variety Instinct can be ordered through their website.

Orijen Puppy

Orijen puppy food uses free-range chicken, turkey and eggs, along with wild-caught fish, and is prepared in a family-owned facility. This high-protein, low-carbohydrate, grain-free puppy food is made using regional vegetables, fruits and botanicals, along with sea vegetables. Orijen is available online and in some natural food stores.

Solid Gold WolfCub Puppy

This puppy food is ideal for large breed puppies that need a restricted-protein, lower-fat diet to control the growth process for optimal health. Protein in this formula comes from bison and ocean fish. Solid Gold brand is available in some natural grocery stores and pet supply stores, and can be ordered online.

California Natural Lamb Meal & Rice Puppy

California Natural's puppy food is formulated with taurine, an amino acid found in lamb. This food is ideal for puppies in the weaning stage, at ages 12 to 18 weeks. It contains pure ingredients including lamb, brown and white rice, sunflower oil and rosemary extract. California Natural is available through veterinarian offices, pet supply stores and some grocery chains, as well as online.

Castor & Pollux Organix Puppy Formula

Castor & Pollux was the first dog food manufacturer to use 100% organic free-range chicken as its main ingredient. Their puppy formula contains all-natural chicken that contains no antibiotics, hormones or bio-engineered ingredients. Castor & Pollux is available in natural food stores, pet supply stores, and online.

Canidae All Life Stages Formula

Canidae's All Life Stage Formula offers complete nutrition for dogs of all ages, to take your dog from puppy to senior status. This all-natural holistic dog food is made with human-grade meat including chicken, turkey, lamb and fish. It also contains an enzyme that helps dogs break down cellulose. Canidae is available at vet supply stores, pet stores, and online.

Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Formula

This formula is ideal for puppies who are prone to allergies, skin problems or digestive problems, and is appropriate for dogs of all ages. The sweet potato and venison formula is completely free of grains, food additives, artificial preservatives, flavor additives, artificial colors and bleached ingredients. Natural Balance is available at many pet supply stores as well as online.

Natural Vitamins for Kids

Children are growing and developing daily, making natural vitamins necessary to help fight infection, assist with proper bone development, and meet the demands of the constantly changing bodies of children. The body cannot create vitamins alone, making natural vitamins for children a healthy choice.

Significance

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vitamins are important elements for the total nutritional requirements of a child. Vitamins must be obtained through the diet, and many times, children are not getting adequate amounts. A pediatrician may recommend daily vitamins for children that have poor diets or erratic eating habits, such as an adversity to dairy.

Synthetic Vitamins

Vitamins are readily available at most drug stores but selecting the right kind can be overwhelming. Vitamins can be both synthetic and natural. According to Dr. Laura Mason-Scarborough, a nutritionist, writing for the Holistic Pediatric Association (hpakids.org), vitamins can by synthesized, which gives them high concentrations and high potency. This is a process used by many supplement manufacturers, mostly pharmaceutical companies. These vitamins are labeled as synthetic.

Natural Vitamins

Natural, or whole food vitamins, are made from a concentrate derived from a natural source. The vitamin doesn't contain any additives such as colors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Mason-Scarborough finds that whole food vitamins are complete vitamins created from whole foods containing many parts that are dependent upon each other. The whole foods used to create these vitamins are created from natural sources.

100% Natural and 100% Organic

According to organic.lovetoknow.com, using 100% organic and natural vitamins, at any age, gives the reassurance that nutritional issues are addressed without any added harmful chemicals or negative ingredients. It can be challenging to determine the difference between 100% organic and 100% natural with vitamins. Organic.lovetoknow.com suggests looking for products that have been certified by a reputable organization, such as the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.

Expert Insight

Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatric specialist, finds the most important thing is creating a long-standing relationship between children and healthy whole foods that supply a child's body with the vitamins it needs. By providing children fresh fruit, healthy whole grains, and vegetables, children receive necessary vitamins in the healthiest way. Vitamins are created naturally through food in forms that are the easiest for children's bodies to use.

Suggestions

If children are finicky eaters, or vitamins are recommended by a pediatrician, Mason-Scarborough suggests using whole food natural vitamins such as wheat germ oil, which is high in vitamin E and other nutrients. Rice bran syrup or nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamin B complex. Dr. Greene suggests adding a vitamin supplement during the toddler years when children are experimenting with food. This helps take pressure of parents when there are feeding issues with children.

Diets for People With Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the condition when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone. There are a number of possible causes of this, including iodine deficiency (a common cause in developing countries); "Hashimoto's thyroiditis", which is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is attacked by T-cells; postpartum thyroiditis, a condition in women who have recently given birth; and genetics. While treatment hypothyroidism depends on the severity of the condition, there is much debate that a specific diet can help improve the function of the thyroid gland.

Mary Shomon's "Thyroid Diet"

One of the most well-known voices in the United States on the specific topic of thyroid health, hypothyroidism in particular, is not a doctor but author and patient advocate Mary Shomon. Ms. Shomon has written a number of books on the topic, including the New York Times bestseller "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," and has long fought the notion that the information and advice given to patients with thyroid conditions by doctors is typically misleading and often flat out wrong. In 1995 Ms. Shomon was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and was given what she feels was useless and damaging information by her doctors in treating her condition. Over the years she developed a plan that led to how she successfully manages her condition and gives advice to all different kinds of thyroid conditions.

She describes her "Thyroid Diet" as a low-glycemic (low sugar), good fat, and good-carb. Vegetables and fruits high in fiber such as broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, apples bananas, and pears are an important element to the diet for hypothyroidism, but warns not to eat vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage raw because they are goitrogenic (which is a quality that may aggravate hypothyroidism by enlarging the thyroid gland but can be diffused by cooking foods that have this characteristic). As for good carbs, she recommends one or two servings a day of starchy carbs like cereal with high fiber or a bran muffin. Good fats include those found in fish oils, fatty acids, olive oil and avocados. Trans fats and saturated fats should be avoided altogether. The diet is designed to be complemented by exercise and a variety of supplements including thyromine, iodine, vitamin B, and vitamin C.

The Hypothyroidism Diet Myth

Dr. Todd Nippoldt, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, is symbolic of the experts that Mary Shomon has targeted.

According to Dr. Nippoldt, there is no diet that can help improve the function of the thyroid. Dr. Nippoldt also believes that the avoidance of specific foods will not help improve the function of the thyroid. However, Dr. Nippoldt believes that the absorption of the synthetic thyroid hormone taken as a treatment for hypothyroidism can be affected by consuming too much fiber. He also believes that other foods and supplements can have the same negative impact on synthetic thyroid hormone absorption, including cottonseed meal, walnuts, soybean flour, calcium supplements, antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, and iron supplements. In addition, he also believes that certain medications like sucralfate used to treat ulcers and cholestyramine and colestipol used for the treatment of high cholesterol can have the same negative effect.