Low-Carbohydrate Diet Facts

Low-carbohydrate diets require that you significantly reduce the amounts of breads, pastas, fruits, vegetables, desserts and milk you eat. Some plans that are less restrictive allow you to eat some fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Most of your calories come from foods such as meat, fish, poultry and eggs. These diets force your body to switch from using carbohydrates as your primary energy source to using protein and fat.

How They Work

Your body normally converts carbohydrates into sugar. Your blood transports the sugar into your cells for energy with the help of insulin. Extra sugar is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen. Depriving your body of carbohydrates lowers insulin levels and encourages your body to burn stored fat for fuel, causing you to lose weight. These types of diets generally restrict your carbohydrate intact between 50 and 150 grams per day, reports MayoClinic.com.

What You Can Eat

There are several different versions of low-carbohydrate diets, or high-protein diets as they are sometimes called. The Atkins Diet is known for strictly limiting carbohydrates, especially in the early stages. Things like apples, bananas, carrots and potatoes are not allowed, but foods such as cream, butter and bacon are. The Zone Diet takes a more balanced approach and allows a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Reasons for Weight Loss

The most strict forms of the diet limit carbohydrates and replace your daily calories with protein --- which sometimes makes up to 50 percent of your diet. High-protein diets affect your metabolic processes and have a diuretic effect on the body that causes it to expel water. Many of the pounds you lose early in a program can be chalked up to this water loss. Other reasons for weight loss are the feeling of fullness protein and fat provide and an overall reduction of calories.

Ketosis and Other Issues

When burning fat for fuel, your body enters a state called ketosis. Ketosis is the normal state for the body when burning fat, but sometimes the metabolic processes are inefficient, and fat breakdown by the body is not complete. This can cause a series of problems such as dehydration, nausea, weakness and irritability. These diets are often high in saturated fats and cholesterol, and the low fiber content can lead to problems with digestion.

Type B Foods for a Six Week Body Makeover

The Six Week Makeover is a personalized weight-loss program, aimed at working with your body type and shape. A "body blueprint" is taken and identifies your body's metabolism. According to the diet creator Micheal Thurmond, there are five body types: A through E. Each diet focuses on changing your metabolism with the types of food you eat. Type B body types tend to have naturally muscular bodies underneath the fat.

Proteins

If you're a Type B, eat lean meats such as chicken, turkey breast, shrimp, tuna and crab. Avoid red meats as it only adds to your muscle. Trim all fat from the meats. You can also have eggs without the yolk. The yolk is fatty and Type B requires less fat.

Fruits

Grapefruit is OK for Type B body types.

Avoid all high-sugar fruits such as banana, and watermelon. You can have grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. These berries have a low sugar-to-fiber ratio and are best for Type B. You can also have grapefruit juice.

Brown Rice

You should avoid white rice, which has no nutritional value. Brown rice has an abundance of vitamin B, iron, healthy fats and enough fiber to help you digest the rest of your food quickly.

Vegetables

Mushrooms have a low sugar content.

Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, chives, potatoes, yams, spinach, green beans, mushrooms and cabbage are good for Type Bs. The best vegetables are those filled with iron that have a lower sugar content. Potatoes are an exception; they are complex and are good as a whole.

Diet for Burning Belly Fat

When we overeat, or eat more calories than we burn, our bodies stores the extra food as fat. Extra fat, especially around the abdomen, means an increased risk of heart disease. This extra fat is stored energy that needs to be burned in order to gain that tight, flat tummy that so many people desire. With hard work and determination you can win the battle of the bulge and lose that midsection.

High protein diets

The best diets to lose weight are those that are high in protein and low in carbs and fats. According to the Food Standards Agency, eggs are an excellent source of protein to help you lose belly fat. Eggs have often been seen as the bad guy because they have so much cholesterol. Eggs contain dietary cholesterol which has been shown not to increase the levels in your body. Eggs also contain a large amount of Vitamin B12, which has been proven to be a good supplement to increase weight lost. (See reference 3)

Low-fat dairy

According to an article in Obesity Research, people who consumed low-fat dairy products lose 70 percent more fat than non-dairy eaters. The important thing to remember when choosing dairy is to make sure it is low-fat, reduced-fat or fat-free. Good choices are nonfat yogurt and low-fat milk eaten at least three times per day. Dairy products can also help strengthen your bones and prevent bone loss.

Beans

Beans could be called nature's perfect food. Beans are excellent sources of dietary fiber which allow you to eliminate toxins in your body. They are good sources of protein and are high in iron. To burn belly fat, eat white beans, lima beans, kidney beans and navy beans. Beans can be a great substitute for meats, which contain a lot of saturated fats. When choosing foods to lose belly fat, natural foods are the best choice.

Lemonade Detox Drink

The Master Cleanse diet uses a concoction made up primarily of water and lemons to detoxify the body and lose weight. The diet as been made popular by celebrities and the media for its quick results and unique ingredients. The Master Cleanse--or lemonade--diet has also been the subject of several books and websites dedicated to following and understanding the diet.

The Diet

It begins with a short adjustment periods of three days where you start out eating only fruits and vegetables on Day 1. On Day 2, you adjust your liquid diet by simply pureeing the fruits and vegetables, and on Day 3 you drink only fresh-squeezed orange juice mixed with maple syrup. This routine prepares your body for the rigors of the lemonade diet where there is no solid food eaten for several days.

The main portion of the diet requires the drinking of a concoction of water, lemons, grade b maple syrup (not the kind you put on pancakes) and cayenne pepper. You make enough to create 2 liters that you drink throughout the day. When you begin feeling hungry, you drink from one of the lemonade bottles and follow it with a few drinks of regular water. At the end of the day, you need to flush your body in the form of a bowel movement. You take one of the lemonade mixtures and add sea salt. This natural laxative will usually start a bowel movement within the hour.

Finally, after a few weeks, you should follow the exact same instruction, but in reverse, for settling your body back into eating solid foods.

Risks and Benefits

The benefit of the diet is the inevitable weight loss caused by the expulsion of water and the lack of calories taken during the time of the diet. You can expect to lose about 13 to 20 lbs. depending on your size, metabolism and how long you stay on the diet. You should be careful of gaining the weight back after you resume eating regular food. It is also a natural way to clean your body of pollutants in a similar way to a colonic or enema.

The diet should not be a long-term project as it could be a contributing factor to an eating disorder. You should contact your doctor and discuss any new diet regime to make sure there are no worries attached to preexisting medical conditions or drug interactions.

Protein Diet with Vegetables

Eating food from your garden can help you get the protein you need. Protein is an important component in the human diet because it contains amino acids, which aid in healing, energy and immunity. Our only source of amino acids is food. Although eating animal-based proteins are the easiest way to meet protein requirements, plant-based foods contain protein, too. Combining higher vegetable proteins such as beans with lower vegetable proteins like spinach can create a delicious meal and help you meet your protein requirements.

Protein Requirements

The average man needs approximately 40 to 53 grams of protein per day, whereas the average woman's intake range is from 41 to 46. Pregnant or lactating women require slightly more protein at around 51 to 56 grams per day.

Always keep vegetables high in protein on hand. These high-protein sources include chick peas (16 grams per 7 ounces), beans (11 grams per 8 ounces) and tofu (10 grams per 5 ounces).

Combine moderate sources of protein with high-protein sources. Vegetables containing a moderate amount of protein include broccoli (3.1 grams for 3.5 ounces) and potatoes (2.8 grams for 7 ounces).

Vegetable Combining

Create complete protein meals by combining foods from the high-protein and moderate- to low-protein groups to fulfill your daily requirements. Combine food such as tofu with beans for a high-protein meal or make hummus from chick peas and use it as a dip for raw vegetables.

Introduce whole grains to maximize your protein intake. Brown rice, whole grain cereals and whole wheat pasta supply an even higher amount of protein when combined with a vegetable. For example, black beans (7 grams of protein for 4 ounces) and brown rice (4.5 grams of protein for one cup) could meet a good portion of your requirements.

Benefits of Plant-based Protein

Both plant-based and meat-based diets can supply enough protein to meet daily requirements; however, vegetable-based diets provide additional health benefits that meat eaters are missing.

Unsaturated plant-based proteins are high in fiber and low in fat, which makes them heart healthy. Other benefits include a reduced risk of diabetes, cancer and obesity.

Another benefit is that you can't overdose on plant-based protein. Eating too much meat-based protein can result in kidney stones and gallbladder disease and possibly contribute to the process of osteoporosis. According to T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., former senior science advisor to the American Institute of Cancer Research, "In the next ten years, one of the things you're bound to hear is that animal protein is one of the most toxic nutrients of all that can be considered."

How to Have a High Protein Diet With Low Fat and Calories

You may be looking for ways to eat more protein but worry that adding animal protein to your diet will increase your consumption of fat and calories. You can increase your protein intake while minimizing fat and calories, however. One way to do this is by eating foods with egg whites. You can also try to consume a variety of plant-based proteins to create a healthy, balanced diet. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1

Purchase egg whites from the supermarket or separate yolks from the egg whites in your kitchen. Understand that whole eggs contain 211 milligrams of cholesterol, 5 grams of fat and 71 calories. Egg whites, on the other hand, contain no cholesterol, no fat and only 17 calories.

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Whip up an egg white omelet and add in whatever veggies you like. Onions, tomatoes, spinach and peppers add flavor and no extra fat. You can also add some low-fat cheese if you wish. This will provide even more protein, but will increase the fat and calories slightly. Serve topped with salsa or hot sauce, neither of which add any additional fat.

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Make egg white salad. Hard-boil several eggs, then after you've ditched the yolks, chop up the whites and mix in whatever you like, such as chopped onions, bell peppers, dill pickles, olive oil and low-fat plan yogurt.

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Make plain hard-boiled egg and remove yolks. This is a quick, easy and healthy snack to help you eat a higher protein diet without added fat or calories. At the start of the week, hard-boil a dozen eggs and store them in your refrigerator.

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Add other high-protein foods to your diet, such as skim milk, split peas, edamame, whole grains, nuts (in small amounts), lean beef, beans, skinless chicken breasts and fresh salmon, tuna or cod.

Cardiologist Heart Diet

Heart disease is often monitored by a cardiologist. He recommends good eating habits to keep the three main causes of heart disease--obesity, high blood pressure and high bad cholesterol--at bay. The American Heart Association supplies information to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals about maintaining good health. This organization does not recommend any single diet but instead makes several recommendations about what you can eat to make your diet heart-healthy.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain many minerals and vitamins, are low in calories and high in fiber. A diet rich in soluble fiber, like that in fruits and vegetables, can help reduce your cholesterol and lower your heart disease risk. Fruits and vegetables also contain substances that may help you avoid getting cardiovascular disease. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Whole Grains and Dietary Fiber

Whole grains are rich in dietary fiber. A fiber-rich diet may help lower the amount of a blood protein associated with an increased possibility of getting heart disease. Fiber-rich foods also lower cholesterol.

Besides fruits, vegetables and whole grains, foods rich in fiber include beans and nuts. Whole grain foods include 100 percent whole wheat, bulgur wheat, buckwheat, oatmeal, corn, spelt, brown rice and wild rice. You should eat between 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day depending on your size.

Protein

Some of your best sources of protein are legumes (beans, peas and lentils); fish, especially salmon, mackerel and herring because they are high in omega-3 fish oil; low-fat dairy products; and egg whites or egg substitutes. Lean meat and poultry are also good sources of protein. Eat 0.4 times your weight in protein a day.

Fats

Reduce saturated and trans fats in your diet. The best way to do this is to avoid eating solid fats such as shortening, margarine and butter. Try to consume low-fat substitutes whenever feasible for a heart-healthy diet.

Many snacks, including those labeled "reduced fat," may contain oils with trans fats. A tip-off that a food contains some trans fat is a mention of "partially hydrogenated" in the ingredients list.

Use fats that are monounsaturated such as olive oil or canola oil. Polyunsaturated fats--ingredients in seeds and nuts--also are great selections for a heart-healthy diet. All fats contain a lot of calories.Thirty percent of your total food intake should be healthy fat.

Carbohydrates

Simple, processed carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour often create a sharp increase in your blood sugar and insulin. This in turn increases the chances that calories from these foods will be changed into fat and cholesterol. In addition, processed carbohydrates can lower your good cholesterol.

Good-for-you complex carbohydrates are part of a heart-healthy diet. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables take longer to digest, and they do not result in the same rapid spike in blood sugar and insulin. A person needing 2000 caleries per day should eat about 250 grams of carbohydrates per day

Salt

Salt in the diet can cause an increase in blood pressure in some people. For this reason, restrict salt intake to moderate levels, no more than 2400 milligrams a day. It is particularly important to monitor salt intake if you have high blood pressure that is not easy to control.

Many foods, such as potato chips, salted peanuts, frozen dinners and canned soup, have a lot of salt. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2.3 grams of salt a day.

No Sugar High Protein & Low Carb Diet

The most recent resurgence of the low-carb diet happened in the early 2000s, spurred by Dr. Robert Atkins, a major low-carb proponent and the inventor of the Atkins Diet. Although the hype surrounding low-carb diets has fallen off in recent years, there are still many advantages to a no-sugar, high-protein, low-carb lifestyle. Low-carb diets by definition restrict empty calories from sugar and processed foods, which is a healthy step in the right direction for anyone.

Getting Started

If you are interested in exploring a low-carb lifestyle, researching a few well-known low-carb diet plans is a good place to start. You do not have to follow Atkins, South Beach or Neanderthin to the letter in order to adopt a low-carb diet, but these plans can be excellent resources because they have done the difficult research for you and can guide you to no-sugar, high-protein foods that will form the base of your diet on a low-carb eating plan.

Planning Meals

Low-carb diets are actually incredibly simple to follow because they typically allow the dieter to eat as much as they need to feel full. Ingredients like sugar, starch, pasta, rice, flour and potatoes are strictly forbidden, which for many people is an easier adjustment than controlling portions of such foods. Although many special low-carb, no-sugar grocery items now exist, it is also possible to do a low-carb diet without ever buying any specialty products. Meat, eggs, cheese and non-starchy vegetables are the mainstays of a low-carb plan, and they are available almost everywhere.

Losing Weight

While a low-carb eating plan doesn't have to be about losing weight, most people who adopt a low-carb diet do so because they are looking to shed a few pounds. If you are trying to lose weight with a low-carb diet, you should be aware that as with any diet, you must make permanent changes to your eating habits if you hope to keep the weight off. Low-carb diets are often used for quick weight loss, which disappears as soon as the dieter goes back to eating "normally." Adjusting your mindset to a new way of eating is paramount.

Living Low Carb

While low-carb diet plans may seem unrealistically strict, once you adjust to a new way of eating, you'll find that making low-carb choices is easy and possible almost anywhere (although pizza parlors can present problems). As you approach your goal weight, you can also add back certain healthy carbohydrate foods in small quantities, if your metabolism can handle it. Also, losing weight on a low-carb diet and following a low-carb maintenance plan doesn't mean never having another piece of cake as long as you live. Everyone has a bad day now and again with their diet, so slipping up and eating a candy bar isn't the end of the world, as long as you pick up where you left off at your next meal.

Foods High in Dietary Fibers

Dietary fiber is the indigestible part of plant-based food. Traditionally, scientists viewed fiber according to whether it was dissolvable in water (soluble) or not (insoluble). Today, dietary fiber is also evaluated according to how it changes in the body, such as whether it is fermented by bacteria in the digestive tract. Though pushing food through the body and easing defecation are most commonly associated with fiber, several other beneficial physiological effects have more recently been identified. For example, diets rich in fiber from whole grains, legumes, fruits and non-starchy vegetables are believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Legumes

Legumes are the most-fiber rich foods, with 15 to 19 g of fiber per one cup serving. In this category are lentils, most beans and peas. These all contain primarily soluble, viscous fiber that passes relatively slowly through the gut as a gel. This fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol and moderates fluctuations in blood sugar by delaying the digestion of glucose. The fiber in legumes contributes to feelings of satiety, which can help control overeating.

Wheat Bran

The second highest source of fiber is wheat bran, with 17 g per cup. The fiber in wheat bran is primarily insoluble fiber. This means the fiber is not digested, and changes very little as it passes through the digestive tract. This sort of fiber helps maintain bowel regularity by increasing the bulk of feces. Because it also absorbs water, insoluble fiber softens stool, increasing transit time and easing passage.

Fruit

The next several high fiber foods are all fruits. Prunes, which contain 12 g per cup, Asian pears, which contain 10 g per cup, and raspberries, which contain 8 g per cup, are all excellent sources of dietary fiber. Like legumes, fruits are high in soluble fiber, but they also contain more insoluble fiber than legumes. The soluble fiber in fruit is fermentable. When bacteria in the gut act on it, the resulting short-chain fatty acids, including butyric, ethanoic (acetic), propionic, and valeric acids, are known to have beneficial health properties such as cancer prevention.

Quinoa

Quinoa is one of the least appreciated foods in the Western Hemisphere. Not only is it a rare vegetable source of a complete protein, it also contains 9 g of dietary fiber per cup. Quinoa is rich in lignans, a type of insoluble fiber associated with cardiovascular health and prevention of Type 2 diabetes. It is also an excellent source of manganese and magnesium.

Other Sources

Other foods high in dietary fibers include corn bran, nuts, seeds and root vegetables like potatoes and onions. Oat bran, rolled oats, whole oat flour, whole grain barley and dry milled barley are relatively few sources of beta-glucan dietary fiber. These foods are the only fiber sources for which the health claim of reducing heart disease has been approved by the FDA. Three grams or more per day are recommended for reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Easy Detox Plan

If you are feeling tired, lethargic and all-around miserable, this is likely caused by an unhealthy diet. You may have been offered a detox diet as a solution. There are a number of detoxification diets that are relatively easy to follow and promise to rid you of fatigue by eliminating harmful substances.

Detox Benefits?

Before you consider a detox diet plan, you might want to read Dr. Michael Picco's answer to the question "Do detox diets offer any health benefits?" on the Mayo Clinic's website. Dr. Picco states that there is no evidence that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body. He continues to indicate that the feelings of increased focus and energy are likely a psychological effect created by the belief that you are doing something good for your body. In addition, there are adverse effects to fasting, such as headache and anemia.

Three- Day Detox Diet

If you decide that you want to pursue a detox diet plan, there is a three-day detox diet on the Easy Detox Plan website. This is a very simple diet that consists of eating only fruits and vegetables for three days with the occasional serving of grains such as rice. During the three days you are also instructed to drink around two liters of water a day and exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. The diet promises to have a dramatic effect on your health and promote rapid weight loss.

Before You Change Your Diet

Before you decide to make any drastic changes that affect your health and general well-being, it is always important to consult your physician. Your doctor should be able to guide you to the diet that will work best for you and provide you with the greatest health benefits. As Dr. Picco states in his article, "The best diet is one based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and unsaturated fats." Because everyone's body is built a little differently, it is always important to make sure that you are selecting the foods that will work best for you.

Soup Diets for Weight Loss

Soup diets are a popular way to drop weight fast, but they are not always popular with doctors and nutritionists. These diets are very restrictive and definitely not for the faint-hearted, but some people swear by them. Could they help you lose weight? And even if a soup diet can help you drop some pounds, is it worth the risk?

How Soup Diets Work

Some soup diets claim to work because of some magical combination of foods that rev up your metabolism, but the real reason they work is because of the extreme calorie restriction involved. Although there are many variations on the soup recipes, most soup diets involve consuming a vegetable-based soup and little to nothing else. Even though you can usually eat as much of the soup as you want, you're unlikely to be able to eat enough of the soup to consume more than a few hundred calories.

The extreme calorie restriction should lead to weight loss in and of itself, but sticking to a liquid-based diet can increase fast weight loss by flushing fluids from your body.

Some soup diets allow you to eat additional foods, such as fruit or vegetables, but usually in extremely restricted amounts. One well-known soup diet, the Sacred Heart Memorial soup diet (which is not affiliated with the hospital), allows for unlimited amounts of a tomato-based soup for seven days coupled with unlimited fruit one day, unlimited veggies another day, unlimited bananas and milk another day and unlimited beef and tomatoes on yet another day. The combination of foods does not increase weight loss, but sticking to a prescribed regime keeps your calorie count low enough for rapid weight loss.

Balancing Soup Diets and Nutrition

If you want to drop a few pounds quickly, a soup diet will almost certainly do the trick. In the long run, these diets deprive you of important nutrients and are not sustainable. The weight you lose is water weight, and it is likely to come back when you start eating normally again.

Most people can follow a soup diet for a few days with no real health problems, but they are not designed to be long-term diet solutions. Never stay on a soup diet longer than seven days, and pay attention to your body's signals while on the diet. If you are lightheaded or having headaches, you may not be getting enough calories. If you have an existing medical condition, consult your doctor to find out a safe number of calories for you.

A Natural Protein Diet

Whole grains, whole foods, lean, grass-fed meats, free-range poultry and wild fish bring the best sources of natural protein for a healthy diet. Protein provides a level of satiety in the body that other foods do not. Satiety can keep you feeling full longer, say less hungry and help to curb excessive eating. Protein is used in the body to build and maintain muscle. Building muscle requires more calories and aids in burning fat.

Eat Plant Based Protein

Plant-based proteins include soy, nuts, seeds, legumes and vegetables. Legumes include beans, peas and lentils. These edible pods have a higher protein content than many other foods and are low in saturated fat. Beans have the added benefit of being a good source of fiber as well as protein. Combined with grains, beans become an equivalent to animal proteins. Nuts and seeds are another great source for protein. Sprinkle them on salads, add them to pasta dishes or use them to top off a whole-grain pancake, waffle or oatmeal breakfast.

Substitute with Whole Grains

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, My Pyramid (see References 3), foods that are marked "100% wheat," "multi-grain," "stone-ground," "seven-grain," "cracked wheat" or "bran" are usually not whole-grain products. Instead, look for one of the following whole grains in the list of ingredients, making sure that it is first in the list---brown rice, whole oats, whole wheat, whole rye, bulgur, oatmeal, whole-grain corn, graham flour, wild rice. There are more ways to add protein-packed grains---substitute whole-wheat bread for white bread, or whole wheat, quinoa or kamut for white rice. Bake with whole grains instead of bleached white flour.

Consider Lean Meats

The biggest difference between animal protein and plant protein is the amount of saturated fat they contain. When consuming animal protein, follow this simple rule---lean and less fat. Natural sources of animal protein are based on what the animal has been eating and whether or not the product has been processed. Look for grass-fed beef, free-range poultry and wild fish. Deli meats, hot dogs, sausage and bacon are most often processed foods and have added salt. Fatty fish---such as salmon, herring and trout---are good sources of protein; plus they supply omega 3 fatty acids to the body.

Cleansing Diet With Lemon, Pepper & Honey

The lemon, pepper, and honey diet is a variation of the one used by the famous starlet, Beyonce, to lose 20 pounds in two weeks for her role in the film "Dreamgirls." This drink-diet is easy and cheap to make but very difficult to adhere to because you are to fast for seven to 14 days while taking it. Its primary use should be for cleansing and detoxification because the majority of weight loss will be superficial fluid-loss as opposed to actual fat loss.

Lemon

Lemon is an acidic citrus fruit, filled with vitamin-C and potassium. It also naturally cleanses the stomach. Lemon contains antibacterial and antiviral agents to cure infections and promote immune system health. Lemon juice absorbs toxins from and cleans blood cells that circulate throughout the entire body.

Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a powdered spice made from red hot chili peppers and is considered a thermogenic food. Thermogenics stimulate weight loss by increasing the metabolism and improving circulation. Improved circulation allows the blood cells to carry and expel toxins to the digestive system where they can be emitted from the body through elimination.

Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener that can help make the consumption of cayenne pepper bearable. Beyond that, it has amazing health benefits. Honey is easily digestible and cleanses the liver and body with natural antibacterial agents. It burns fast because it speed the metabolism. Honey has also been used to decrease stress levels. Increased stress makes our bodies hold on to fat.

Cleansing Diet

Find organic lemons, raw honey, and organic cayenne pepper for best results. Organic foods are not treated with hormones and should not have traces of harmful pesticides.
Juice three lemons; add two teaspoons of cayenne pepper, and a tablespoon of honey. Mix the ingredients with 8 ounces of warm water. Take this drink eight times a day.
To completely cleanse the digestive system, drink only this beverage and pure water for an entire week. If you are an experienced faster, try it for two weeks. If you want to get the benefits of this cleanse but without a complete fast, limit your diet to raw fruits and vegetables.

How to Do a 1 Week Detox Diet Plan

Learn how to do a 1 week detox diet plan.

Detoxing your body is the hottest thing these days on the internet, whether you're suffering from food allergies or just tired of the extra weight that seems to be hanging out in your mid section, you will now know how to effectively do a 1 week detox diet plan.

Instructions

1

Day 1 - Vegetable and Fruit Juices

All day long, starting at breakfast drink vegetable and fruit juices, lunch is only fruit or vegetable juice and dinner the same. To help preserve the vitamins and minerals inside the vegetables and fruits, consider making the juices fresh.

The very first day of the 1 week detox diet plan includes all the fresh vegetable and fruit juices you can hold and may be considered one of the hardest days! Examples of juices you may consider are: 1 orange, 1 mango and a squeeze of a lemon or lime juice. 1 can of V8 or V8 infusion drinks that are less sugar or sugar free.

Make it fresh: 2 tomatoes, 1 sprig of parsley. Alternative: celery and beet juice + 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. If you are allergic to apple cider vinegar, you can omit or add to it lemon and or lime juice. With day one you are also allowed to drink unsweetened mineral water and decaf tea as much as you would like.

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Day 2 - Enter the Potato

In the 1 week detox diet plan it's important to remember to get the water you need for normal productivity in to your diet plan without fail. Potatoes are a source of potassium, an essential mineral needed for the whole body. You should boil one and a half pounds of potatoes and divide them as equally as you are able into three portions. For breakfast today, you are able to have a slice of bread with three and a half ounces of cheese.

If you like to mix your potatoes with vegetables and make a salad this is permissible, if you like mashed potatoes this is good too, you can use hot milk and chopped parsley or dill with them on another hand if you like spuds in soup you can create a potato based soup with spices of the green color and one boiled egg.

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Day 3 - Bring in the Rice

Using unsalted water bring to boil about seven ounces of rice, follow the directions on the box or bag. Strain the water from the rice and divide into about five portions. Eat one portion of the rice every two hours. If white rice is too bland for your taste buds add some vegetable soup free of fat or some tomato juice. You need to drink a lot of water, tea or coffee. Remember none of them can have sugar!

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Day 4 - Fruit for the day

Break your fast with a nice change, one slice of bread, three and a half ounces of cheese and one apple or pear. Eat only fruits for the remainder of the day. You are able to combine your fruits and create a nice salad, but try to eat at least three pounds of fruit today. There is one exception, no bananas! Drink tons of water today, about forty ounces. You may include water, tea and coffee unsweetened.

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Day 5 - Pasta

Whatever your choice, you can have pasta today. A fun one is macaroni; you should boil one half of the bag today with salted water. Strain and divide into four portions. Breakfast today is a slice of bread, one teaspoon of butter and one boiled egg. Macaroni is good with one can of ready to eat soup in vegetable flavor and one teaspoon of chopped onion. Drink tons of water today, about forty ounces. You may include water, tea and coffee unsweetened.

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Day 6 - Veggies

This is day six of your 1 week detox diet plan! Breakfast today is one slice of bread, one teaspoon of butter and one boiled egg. After breakfast eat about two pounds of veggies today. The best way to make this day go by is to make up tons of vegetable salads and easy to eat veggie dishes. Drink a lot of water today, about forty ounces. You may include water, tea and coffee unsweetened.

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Day 7 - Meats

This is the last and final day of your 1 week detox diet plan. Time to celebrate; breakfast begins with one slice of bread, 1 teaspoon of butter, 1 ounce of cheese, one tomato and a few slices of onion.

Lunch is 3.5 ounces of broiled beef, 4.5 ounces potato (fixed the way you like) with one tablespoon of vegetable oil or Olive oil.

Dinner is 3.5 ounces of green salad, three tomatoes, one small onion, three and a half ounces of veggie roots, three and a half ounces of broiled fish and one slice of wholegrain bread (your choice). Drink tons of water today, about forty ounces. You may include water, tea and coffee unsweetened.

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Now you know how to do a 1 week detox diet plan. If you would like more information on detox diets check out the resources link below and don't forget to look around eHow for other great how to articles.

How to : Make Your Own DOG & Cat Food - Cheap

I spent so much money on store-bought dog and cat food over the past 38 years, loving my pets it's hard to believe. If I'd been smarter, I could have saved enough money to buy a new
BMW convertible or Lexus SUV.
Please....will someone pin a Forest Gump sticker on my forehead! I should have been making my own pet food at home for next to zero bucks. Have you priced dog and cat food lately? Yikes!

Instructions

1

If you have "chubby" pets.....this diet cat and dog food should be right up your alley. It's not only healthy, but will save you a ton of money from buying that packaged-in-the-can crap. Since I own cats, let's start with that.
(1) Get some fresh beef or chicken liver (any market) make sure it's cooked and ground up. (2) Get 2 cups of cooked rice (white or brown)

2

(3) Two tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons of calcium carbonate
(crushed antacid tablets) Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. A 5 lb cat 1/4 pound per day; 7 to 8 pound cat 1/3 pound and any pet over 10 pounds 1/2 pound per day. This stuff will keep about 5 days in the refrig-tightly covered. 3 months in a freezer container.
Now, the diet dog food: (1) 1/2 pound lean ground beef.

3

(2) 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese. (3) 4 cups cooked/sliced carrots.
(4) 4 cups cooked green beans (5) 3 teaspoons bonemeal (nutritional)
Cook the beef until no longer pink, drain off fat and let cool. Combine
all the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. A 5 pound dog - 1/3 pound daily - 10 pound dog - 2/3 daily - 20 pound dog - 1 pound daily.
Any dog weighing 40 to 80 pounds - 2 pounds up to 3 pounds.

List of Foods With Fiber

Dietary fiber is an important aspect of our health. Fiber lowers the risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity and a host of other health complications. This article provides options for how you can incorporate more fiber into your diet with a variety of fiber-rich foods.

Legumes

Legumes include peas, beans, soybeans, lentils and peanuts. Legumes are high in soluble fiber, which pass through the system and make it easier for the body to release stool. 100 grams of cooked edamame (soy beans) contain 7.5 grams of fiber. Chick peas boast 20.5 grams of fiber per 180 grams, and one cup of peas contains 6 grams of fiber.

Root Vegtables

Root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, onions, parsnip and radishes are all high in soluble fiber. One medium baked potato with its skin on contains 4 grams of fiber.

Green Vegetables

Green vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, celery and artichokes are high in fiber. 100 grams of raw broccoli contains 4 grams of fiber, and 1 cup of spinach contains 4 grams of fiber.

Apples, Bananas and Berries

Apples, bananas and berries contain a large amount of fiber per serving. One medium apple contains 3 grams of fiber, while a medium banana contains 2.4 grams of fiber. Blueberries and blackberries contain 5 grams of fiber per 100 grams, while strawberries contain 4 grams of fiber per 1 cup.

Oats, Barley and Whole Grains

Oats, barley and whole grains are all good sources of fiber. 22 grams of oats contain 3.5 grams of fiber, while 1 cup of cooked barley contains 6.5 grams of fiber. One slice of whole grain bread contains 1.3 grams of fiber.

Acai Berries: The Most Fiber Rich Food

The acai berry, when converted to a freeze-dried powder that can be added to smoothies or juices, is 22 to 44 percent fiber. It also has antioxidant properties, making it an impressive superfood.

Protein Diet for Diabetes

A high-protein diet for diabetics involves increasing your protein intake from the recommended 2 to 3 oz. per meal to 8 to 10 oz. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics require just as much protein as a person without diabetes. While on the diet, it is important to maintain your carbohydrate intake because carbohydrates produce high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that keeps your cholesterol at a safe level. Speak with your physician to determine if a high-protein diet is safe because too much protein can stress your kidneys over a period of time.

Balance your meals

According to the American Diabetes Association, 15 to 20 percent of your meal should be protein. Protein can be found in meat, dairy and cheese. The problem with consuming high amounts of protein is many of the foods also have high levels of saturated fat and will raise cholesterol. Almonds, cashews and brazil nuts have between 12 to 17 g of protein per serving and are low in calories. Carbohydrate intake should be no more than 300 g, the daily recommended amount. Carbohydrates produce sugar and, when consumed in moderation, keep your blood glucose levels stable.

Exercise

After working out, replenish your body with protein to promote muscle growth and weight loss. Protein makes you feel full even though you haven't consumed much. When you eat high amounts of protein for every meal, you'll end up eating less and still feel full because protein digestion takes a longer time than carbohydrate digestion. This drop in calories is what leads to gradual weight loss.

Stay hydrated

High amounts of protein can cause you to become dehydrated, which is why it is so important to drink the daily recommended amount of eight 8 oz. glasses of water. You can determine if you are getting enough water by examining your urine. If it's nearly clear or slightly yellow, you are consuming the daily recommended amount.

How to Obtain Natural Estrogen Through Foods & Herbs

Menopausal women and women who have low levels of estrogen need not resort to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) medication to alleviate pre- and post-menopausal symptoms. For many of these women, HRT is not an option, due to increased risk of developing breast or uterine cancer. Fortunately, there are many foods and herbs containing natural phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) that should be incorporated daily into a healthy diet.

Instructions

Foods That Should Be On Your Shopping List

1

Add these legumes to your list: soybeans, soybean sprouts, tofu, soy milk and soy flour. All are very rich in phytoestrogen. Other good sources are red beans, green peas, dried split peas, black-eyed peas and garbanzo beans (chickpeas). Fix yourself a bowl of split pea soup (split peas) or snack on hummus (garbanzo beans).

2

Add these herbs and seeds to to your favorite dishes or make teas with them. Herbs that have high levels of phytoestrogen include: black cohosh, red clover, dong quai, sage, parsley, licorice, and hops. Seeds include fennel seeds, anise seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds.

3

Add some of these vegetables and sprouts to your list. The vegetables and sprouts with the highest concentrations of phytoestrogens include: alfalfa sprouts, beets, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, olives, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, rhubarb, tomatoes, and yams.

4

Add some of these fruits on your list, as they contain the highest concentration of phytoestrogen: apples (applesauce), cherries, dates, papaya, plums, and pomegranates.

5

Add some other foods high in natural and plant estrogen, such as wheat flour, rice and rice flour, oats and oat flour, barley, baker's yeast, dairy and eggs, olive oil, and meat.

Low-Protein Diets

Some diets are followed to lose weight. Medical conditions also influence diet regimens. People with high blood pressure may follow a low-sodium diet, and diabetics often adhere to low-carb diets to reduce their carbohydrate and sugar intake. Liver or kidney disease or gout compromise protein digestion, causing organs to work harder to metabolize high-protein foods. This can result in unhealthy symptoms, including fatigue, bone loss and kidney stones and even liver or kidney failure. Diets that restrict protein intake reduce strain on the liver and kidneys, promoting healthy organ functioning for those with liver or kidney-related problems.

Sources of Protein

Animal meat is a main source of protein. Beef, chicken, fish, lamb and pork are all high in protein and should only be consumed in small quantities when following a low-protein diet. Other, less obvious foods are also high in protein and should be limited or avoided. These include beans, nuts, oatmeal, milk, cheese, eggs and tofu. Some fruits and vegetables are also high in protein. Avocados, spinach, broccoli, prunes, coconuts, tomatoes and some cabbages are among the fruits and vegetables with the highest protein content and should also be limited.

Recommended Daily Protein Values

The medical community has seen considerable debate about how much protein should be included in a normal diet. Some health experts suggest that even in healthy individuals, too much protein can lead to problems, including kidney malfunction, liver disease, heart attack, stroke and bone loss. Other medical professionals warn that too little protein can result in anemia, circulatory problems, muscle deterioration, impaired vision and other unhealthy conditions. Typically, healthy people should consume between 40 and 60 g of protein a day, whereas those following a low-protein diet should consume 15 to 30 g of protein daily. Discuss your medical and nutritional needs with your doctor to determine your correct amount of protein intake.

Low-Protein Foods

Just as some foods are exceptionally high in protein and should be avoided while on a low-protein diet, other foods are naturally low in protein and should be implemented in a low-protein regimen. These include rice, salad greens, white bread and fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon, pineapple, corn and cucumbers.

Protein Substitutes and Alternatives

Learning how to replace high-protein foods with protein substitutes and alternatives will benefit those who are following a low-protein diet. Use non-dairy creamer as a low-protein milk substitute. When eating meat, stick with lean alternatives like turkey and 90 percent lean hamburger or higher. Make meat a side instead of a main dish at dinnertime, and use very thin slices of deli meat for lunch sandwiches. Increase the amount of vegetables, starches and grains to take the place of meat in dishes such as casseroles and stir-fry. Substitute large quantities of mild cheese with small quantities of strong cheese such as cheddar, blue cheese or Limburger to reduce protein without compromising flavor.

Gallbladder Cleanse

One in twelve people in the United States are estimated to have gallstones. Although women are three times more likely to develop them than men, other risk factors play a key role in the development of gallstones: fatty diet, obesity, increased hormone levels from birth control pills or hormone therapy, rapid weight loss and elevated triglyceride levels can all contribute to the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

To avoid a radical removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy) when problems arise, many are turning towards a natural gallbladder cleanse in order to alleviate painful symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms

Gallstones are crystalline bodies formed from bile components over a period of time. The two types of stones commonly found in the gallbladder are cholesterol stones (responsible for 80 percent of all gallstones) and pigment stones (made up bilirubin and calcium salts that are found in bile). Common symptoms of sediment or stones caught in the gallbladder include flatulence, indigestion, chest pains, diarrhea, nausea, chalky-colored stools and a bitter taste in the mouth after eating. Gallstones may also cause moderate-to-severe pains beneath the right ribcage, in the upper back or the right shoulder.

Four-Day Cleanse

The four-day gallbladder cleanse is a simple and inexpensive way to flush your gallbladder and is a bit gentler and easier to perform than the radical one-day cleanse. It is purported that the apple juice softens up the stones so they may pass more easily through the biliary ducts. Plan to do this flush when you can rest over the four-day period, avoiding any hard labor.

What You Will Need

4 gallons of distilled water
4 gallons of organic apple juice
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
3 lemons (enough to make 1/4 cup lemon juice)
1 tablespoon of tomato juice
1 straw (optional)

Performing the Flush

On days one through four, you will drink up to one gallon of the apple juice followed by one gallon of distilled water throughout the day. You should not experience any hunger and should avoid eating. The juice should keep you energized. Do a saltwater flush or enema each morning or evening to remove toxic buildup from settling in the rectum.

On the evening of day three, just before bedtime, drink cup of unrefined, cold-pressed olive oil, followed by cup of the fresh lemon juice (you may drink this through a straw if that is easier for you). Lie in bed on your right side with two pillows beneath your right hip. This helps to move the liquid into the gallbladder quickly. Lie in this position for four to five hours before changing into your normal sleeping position. If you begin to feel nauseated, you may take up to one tablespoon of the tomato juice which should help settle your stomach some. Do not swallow more than this amount, but you may hold the juice in your mouth and spit it out if you need to.

What to Expect

It is possible you may feel nauseous enough to vomit sometime during the night. This is normal and is caused by the oil shooting back into the stomach when the stones begin to eject from the gallbladder. You may also experience a mild sensation of the stones moving, but it should not be painful.

The Next Day

Spend the next day resting in bed, watching TV or reading. Continue to sip the apple juice and distilled water throughout the day. At some point, you will need to have a bowel movement. When you do, pay close attention to what is expelled into the toilet. Some use a colander in the bowl to catch the stones. The color of the gallstones range from bright green to black. You may repeat this cleanse once per month.

Body Detox Diets

Body detox diets can help the body function better. A detox diet cleans toxic buildup from the body and can help you have more energy and feel better. There are many detox products available, but the easiest way to detox is a simple diet plan.

Foods to Eat

To detoxify your body, eat whole foods. Make sure you eat plenty of fruit. You can eat either fresh or frozen fruit.
All fresh vegetables are good. Red and green vegetables are especially helpful at detoxifying the body, along with cauliflower, onions, and garlic.
Brown rice is a great part of a detox diet. If you don't like rice you can eat quinoa, amaranth, millet, or buckwheat. These are more specialty type grains that can be found at health food stores.
Specific beans also help detox the body. Make sure you are buying dry beans that you need to soak, not canned beans. The preferred beans are split yellow and green peas and lentils because they are the easiest beans to digest. You can also eat kidney, pinto, mung, garbanzo and adzuki beans.
Nuts are a very healthy choice for a detox diet when eaten in moderation. Make sure you buy unsalted nuts. The best nuts for a detox are: flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. You should avoid peanuts and peanut products.
The oil to use when on a detox diet is extra virgin olive oil.
You can use salt on a detox diet but it has to be either vegetable or sea salt. You can also use vinegar, tamari and any herb or spice.
Drink herbal teas, water, water with lemon, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice and rice milk.

Foods to Avoid

There are some foods that you should avoid in order to complete your body detox. Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners. You can use Stevia and erythritol.
Also avoid dairy products, wheat and gluten. You should also avoid coffee but if you just have to have it, limit yourself to one cup a day.
Avoid yeast, alcohol, any additives or preservatives, chocolate and high fat foods.

Before Starting

If you are addicted to caffeine, it's best to try to wean yourself off of the caffeine before starting your detox. With a detox diet, it's best to avoid caffeine and this way you can avoid the caffeine withdrawal headache.
Before starting a detox diet, talk to your doctor. Make sure to go over your plan with your doctor to ensure that they don't have any concerns about your health. If you have any medical conditions, the effects of a detox diet on that condition should be discussed with your doctor.

The Best Low Carb Diet Shakes

Low carbohydrate diets can help you to lose weight by reducing the amount of sugars your body must process. Often the body turns sugars into fat. These sugars are found not only in sweets but also in starchy foods and some dairy products. Shakes that are low carb in nature are low in sugar and usually high in protein. This combination can not only help you to lose weight but also can aid in building muscle.

Peanut Butter Shake

Combine the following ingredients in a blender: 2 cups of ice, 2 tbsp. smooth peanut butter, 1/2 cup water, one scoop chocolate protein powder, 2 tbsp. sugar-free chocolate syrup. Blend well on high speed to crush the ice. This recipe makes two 10-oz. shakes, is low in carbohydrates and has a good supply of protein from the powder and the peanut butter.

Cinnamon Vanilla Shake

Add together two scoops of vanilla protein powder, 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon, 3 tsp. of artificial sweetener and 2 cups of ice. Blend on high speed for about 1 minute to make two 8- to 10-oz. glasses of this shake. You can vary this recipe by using a different extract such as almond rather than vanilla.

Coffee Shake

This low carbohydrate shake is great for coffee lovers. Mix two scoops of vanilla protein powder, 1 1/2 tbsp. heavy cream, 1 cup of water, two cups of ice and 3 tbsp. sugar-free coffee-flavored syrup. Blend for at least 1 minute on high speed. You can change this recipe by adding other sugar-free flavored syrups, such as caramel or Irish cream.

High Protein Diet & Renal Function

Consuming a diet high in protein works to build strength and can even help you lose weight. Many athletes depend on a high protein diet to fuel up for tough workouts, but there could b a downside to loading up on a high percentage of protein when it comes to renal function. While there is still much controversy surrounding the effects of high protein diets on renal function, there are some facts to consider.

Renal Function

Renal function is the term that refers to the kidney's ability to filter blood. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse, having two healthy and fully-functioning kidneys is considered 100 percent renal function.

High Protein Diet

A high protein diet means that more than 30 percent of calories you consume in a day come from protein-rich foods like meats, beans, nuts and eggs.

The Research

There is no definitive research that proves kidneys with 100 percent renal function are negatively affected by a high protein diet alone. However, a high protein diet may pose a risk to you if you already have kidney disease or poor renal function. The kidneys may have trouble filtering through protein the body is unable to absorb. This is detailed by Mayo Clinic Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. on the clinic's website.

Dehydration

One of the most common issues surrounding a high protein diet and renal function is dehydration. Urine becomes more concentrated and can result in stress on the kidneys. Always remember to drink more water than usual when on a high protein diet; the body needs it.

Associated Problems

When considering renal function, one of the greatest problems with consuming a high protein diet has less to do with what you eat and more to do with what you do not eat. People who go on high protein diet plans sometimes neglect other important nutrients like insoluble fiber and several essential vitamins that can reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Easy Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is one of those easy-to-make, flexible, healthy and tasty dishes that come in handy for lots of reasons. Soup is a great way to use up odds and ends of vegetables in your fridge, and it is a filling, nutritious meal or side dish, especially when you are trying to save money or lose weight. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Ingredients

Frugal housewives have made variants on vegetable soup for generations. Basically, look in your refrigerator, take out all the leftover veggies, and add some canned, frozen or fresh ingredients, depending on your taste and what you have available. For instance, you might make soup from green beans, diced tomatoes, spinach and corn soup one week, and soup from potato, onion, green pepper and zucchini the next. If you don't have a large variety of ingredients, take what you do have and add a can of corn, a cup of rice or a chopped potato to bulk up the soup and make it more filling. You will also need 2 to 4 cups of vegetable, chicken or beef stock, depending on how many people you need to feed. Adding oil, herbs and spices also will boost the flavor of the soup. Stick to a basic formula of at least one starch, like corn, potato, pasta or rice, and several vegetables. Then use traditional soup herbs like dill, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme and garlic, or stick with one main stronger spice like cumin, rosemary or a pepper blend. See the Resources section for more ingredient combination ideas.

Approach

If your ingredients are all precooked or don't need much cooking, the soup is quick as well as easy. Just add the stock and veggies to a pot, throw in your favorite savory herbs and a tablespoon or two of cooking oil, and bring it to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes and you're done. Longer cooking will result in thicker soup as the water boils off, so if you want more of a stew consistency, let it cook longer. If you are cooking a starch along with the soup, like rice or potatoes, let the soup cook at least 20 minutes to soften and thoroughly cook the raw starches. Another approach is to saut heavier vegetables if they are raw, such as onion, mushroom, carrot, green pepper, eggplant or zucchini. Then puree them in a blender and use the vegetable puree as a base for your soup. When cooking with mostly frozen veggies, no problem; just expect the soup to take longer to heat up to a boil. With every soup, stir frequently to avoid sticking and uneven heating.

Tips

When you eat canned vegetables throughout the week, drain the packing liquid from around them into a plastic container or jar kept in the fridge for a soup stock. It has vegetable taste, usually salt added, and plenty of nutrients from the vegetables, so rather than pouring it down the drain, add it to your next vegetable soup. If you are making enough soup to freeze, leave out delicate ingredients like greens or eggs; they don't freeze well. Other than that, you can freeze most vegetable soups in small containers for an easy lunch or side dish. Another frugal tip: If you don't end up with enough leftover veggies in a week, freeze the bits you do have and take them out when you have enough for a soup.

Cleansing Whole Food Diets

Starting a whole foods diet is a beneficial way to cleanse the body and lose weight. Types of whole foods are whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts and non-homogenized dairy foods. Diets rich in whole foods limit the risk of cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Also, losing weight with a whole foods diet is easier because whole foods fill you up without adding calories. Since hundreds of companies offer whole foods cleansing diets, the better diets include a cost-effective, safe diet plan that focuses on getting the proper body alkaline.

Raw Food Diet

A raw foods-based diet emphasizes eating a diet of whole foods. This type of diet will balance the body's pH system, nourish the body, create energy for the body, advance weight loss and boost the immune system. A few raw foods-based diets are the Crazy Sexy Diet and The Raw Food Revolution Diet. The Raw Food Revolution Diet was invented by Cherie Soria; she founded Living Light Culinary Arts School and is a raw foods chef. This diet excludes cooked foods, dairy and meat, processed foods, caffeine and alcoholic beverages. The Crazy Sexy Diet was designed by Kris Carr, a cancer survivor. This diet is a whole foods, vegan diet that focuses on drinking raw greens smoothies and eating raw vegetables to detox the body.

Liquid Cleansing Diets

Liquid detox diets use whole foods to make smoothies and juices. Liquid whole foods diets focus on cleansing the colon and minimizing weight gain. For example, the Green Smoothies Diet was developed by health educator Robyn Openshaw. The Green Smoothies Diet shows dieters how to create smoothies out of fruits and vegetables. The diet plan offers three program levels; a three-day cleansing program, a 30-day fat burner and cleansing program and a permanent lifestyle change program. Each level provides 15 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

7- to 30-Day Whole Foods Detox Programs

Seven- to 30-day whole food cleansing diets are usually created for people who lead busy lifestyles or who want to cleanse their body on a periodic basis. Some diet plans are the Clean Green and Lean Diet and The Quantum Wellness Detox Diet. The Clean Green and Lean Diet is a four-week diet plan focused on eliminating harmful toxins in the body. This detox diet creates recipes from organic foods and whole foods. The diet was created by Walter Crinnion, a naturopathic doctor, who asserts that eliminating toxins helps lose excess weight. Quantum Wellness was created by bestselling author Kathy Freston. Quantum Wellness is a 21-day vegan detox diet; no meat, alcohol, caffeine, sugar or gluten is allowed to be consumed. She suggests that dieters incorporate this cleansing program into their lifestyle twice a year.

Specialty Whole Foods Cleansing Diets

Personalized whole foods cleansing programs focus on the individual and his specific cleansing needs. Detox for Women and Eating For Energy: Living Foods Diet are two such whole foods cleansing programs. Detox for Women was created by Natalia Rose, the author of Raw Food Detox Diet; it is a four-week program that focuses on eating specific whole foods that eliminate yeast and bacteria in the body. Eating For Energy: Living Foods Diet was created for athletes and physically active people who want to change their way of eating. Yuri Elkaim, a nutritionist and certified kinesiologist, created this living plant whole foods diet to help people detox and reach their optimal athletic performance. He emphasizes that whole foods, especially raw fruits and vegetables, have the best nutritional and energy value.

Low Protein Diet

A low protein diet is a therapeutic diet designed by dietitians or physicians for individuals who need a significantly restricted amount of protein. The intake of protein-containing foods is limited depending on several factors, such as age, gender and health condition. Overall, a low protein diet aims to treat the specific condition of individuals by modification of daily meals. However, a continuous low protein diet poses risks to vital function of cells, such as wound healing and immune response to infections.

Significance

Understand that protein is a macronutrient needed by the body in performing a wide array of vital functions, such as normal cell development, tissue repair and protection against infectious diseases. Protein is degraded into amino acid sequences, which are then excreted by the kidney in the form of urea.

The need for a low protein diet arises when an individual has abnormalities in liver, kidney or metabolic functions. These abnormalities and related conditions may lead to the accumulation of urea or ammonia in the bloodstream and produce toxic effects in the body.

Normal Dietary Protein

Note that the Food and Nutrition Board states that "the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for both men and women is 0.80 g of good quality protein/kg body weight/d and is based on careful analysis of available nitrogen balance studies." It follows that a low protein diet at normal conditions is the measure below the standard RDA value.

Food Sources

Know that protein-containing foods are found in both animal and plant sources. Protein-rich foods include soybeans, eggs, fish, cheese, poultry and milks. Alternative protein sources include cereals, vegetables, nuts and legumes. These foods are consumed in limited or restricted amounts when maintaining a low protein diet.

Dietary Management

Keep in mind that the low protein diet is recommended by physicians or dietitians as a therapeutic management for individuals with disorders that are usually related to metabolic and renal abnormalities, such as uremia. The aim is to provide a treatment by modifying the regular protein intake that best suits the condition. For instance, a certain condition may need to adjust up to 50 percent below the regular protein intake while simultaneously increasing the carbohydrate intake for up to 25 percent.

Effects

Remember that in dietary management, the effectiveness of a low protein diet depends on the strict adherence to the regimen and can be evaluated by monitoring the improvements on the condition of the patient. In general, according to the Harvard University Health Services, "routinely eating a low protein diet may result in fatigue, frequent colds, impaired immune function, weakness or poor recovery from a workout, anemia and hair loss."

Two-Day Body Cleanse

Proponents of cleanses believe they can help rid the body of toxins that create a lack of energy, dull-looking skin and hair, and keep our bodies from performing at their optimal levels. You may want to try a two-day body cleanse when you are feeling bloated from eating too many processed foods, or even after the holidays when sugar, alcohol and rich foods have been consumed. A two-day body cleanse is easier to do than some of the longer cleanses, prompting you to stick with it.

Before the Cleanse

Before starting any cleanse or juice fast, start limiting foods that are not healthy, such as refined or processed foods, animal products, sugar and fatty foods. Weaning yourself off foods that do not offer health benefits may make the two-day body cleanse easier to stick with, because you may have fewer withdrawal symptoms or headaches.

Fasting is believed by some to rid the body of toxins through losing body fat. Since the body must metabolize fat during a cleanse, toxins may be released into the system and eliminated through urine or sweat. Getting rid of these toxins may lead to improved organ function, restored energy levels and an overall improvement of health.

During the Cleanse

During the two-day body cleanse, consume nothing but natural, raw fruits and vegetables in their juice form. You may need to purchase a juicer, since it can use the entire fruit or vegetable to give you all the vitamins, antioxidants and minerals necessary, as well as the fiber from the skins.

Since your calorie intake will be low, rest is suggested during the cleanse to conserve energy. Side effects of a two-day cleanse can include low blood pressure, hunger, dizziness or fainting, since the body is not consuming whole food. Keeping a cleanse to two days is beneficial yet safer for the body than a longer cleanse. There may be a lower risk of suffering from malnutrition or deficiencies in vitamins or minerals.

Drink between 32 and 64 ounces of fresh juice each day of the cleanse, using raw fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cranberries, beets, apples, cabbage and celery. Citrus fruits should be avoided, since they metabolize differently within the body. In addition to the juice, drink 64 ounces of room-temperature water to flush out toxins.

After the Cleanse

Once the two-day body cleanse is over, begin introducing foods back into the body slowly to avoid diarrhea and other digestive issues. The first day after the cleanse, incorporate pieces of whole fruit in addition to water. The second day should include steamed, nonstarchy vegetables, like spinach, celery, zucchini or eggplant. On the third day, include rice and salads. The fourth, fifth, and sixth days should have eggs, proteins and grains. After a week of incorporating healthier food choices into the diet, energy may increase, as well as feelings of alertness and overall health.

How to Follow a Slow Carb Diet

Health experts have discovered that many people are having success on a so-called "slow-carb diet," which is based on eating foods with a low-glycemic index. Foods with a low GI break down glucose in your body slowly, keeping your blood sugar levels constant throughout the day. No more counting calories or carbs on this diet - just follow the rules and try to keep your meals simple. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1




Eat as much as you want of the following foods: proteins (lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and cottage cheese); vegetables (except white potatoes); legumes (peas, lentils, beans, and nuts); and healthy fats (fish oil, saturated fat, olive oil and flax seed). Try spreading out your meals, and eating 4-5 smaller meals a day.

2

Avoid eating any white carbohydrates: white bread, white rice, white cereals. Even many whole grain breads and cereals contain high fructose corn syrup, so limit your consumption of those.

3

Avoid eating fruit, unless you're doing so within two hours after a workout. Your body converts fruit to fat if you eat too much of it. Avoid drinking milk, which easily makes your body gain fat, and avoid eating any kind of junk food or sodas. Stick with water, coffee or tea, if you can.

4

Sample meals on this diet might include eggs (or egg whites) with black beans for breakfast, beef with black beans and mixed veggies, tuna salad with olive oil & nuts, turkey burgers, steak with peas, or grilled chicken and white beans mixed in a green salad. Stock up on canned black beans, white beans and frozen vegetables, so you will always have them on hand.

5

Proponents of this diet advise that when you're eating out, the easiest restaurants to find meals consistent with this diet are Mexican. Simply order meals with beef or chicken, and substitute additional black/red beans or vegetables for rice. Beware of fatty or creamy sauces when eating out.

6




An appealing option for the slow-carb diet has been recommended by Tim Ferriss, author of "The Four-Hour Workweek," who successfully lost 20 pounds on this diet. He suggests setting aside one day a week as your cheat day. You can eat everything you're missing - junk food, white carbs, sodas, even candy bars - on your cheat day. By doing this, believe it or not, you increase your fat loss by keeping your metabolic rate high.

Diabetes & High-Protein Diet

A high-protein diet is beneficial and relatively safe for diabetics. However, going overboard with such a diet can be disadvantageous for your body.

Benefits of High-Protein Diet for Diabetics

Unlike carbohydrates, protein does not affect blood sugar. In addition, a high-protein diet makes you feel full longer than a high-carb diet and therefore can facilitate weight loss.

Disadvantages of High-Protein Diet for Diabetics

Diabetics are more susceptible to kidney disease. High-protein foods tend to make the kidneys work harder in order to get rid of extra amino acids the body cannot store. Consuming too much protein may be disadvantageous for diabetics' kidneys.

Good Sources of Protein

Always buy the leanest meats you can find. Try to limit your intake of red meat, and opt for fish, chicken or turkey instead. Saturated fat in red meat tends to increase insulin resistance.

Healthy Sources of Protein for Diabetic Vegetarians

Diabetic vegetarians can get protein from beans and nuts. For example, soy beans and lentils are rich in protein. High-protein nuts include peanuts and almonds.

Bad Sources of Protein

Avoid fatty meat and processed meat. They contain saturated fat and trans fat, which can cause the body to develop several diseases associated with diabetes such as obesity and heart disease.