Category: diet foods

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Add Stress Reducing Foods To Your Diet

Being such a fast paced environment we must adapt to the changes in life. These changes ofter cause stress and do take a toll on our bodies. If we don’t want to experience low stress levels then we need to give it the foods that will help.

First, you can make sure you are getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. It doesn’t matter which ones because they all give us the the energy our body need to fight stress. A lot of vegetables will help with bloating, energy, aches, and stress levels.

When choosing fruits and vegetables to help with stress you have many to choose from. You will never pick one that will not help with stress. There are a few that are good for stress like broccoli, cucumbers, asparagus, and avocado.

Fruits and vegetables are the best place to start when you want to reduce stress. What we put into our bodies will show through in our stress levels. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel an immediate fix of emotions since these things take time to process through your body.

Third, if you should feel a craving for something rich or high in fat you should head straight for chocolate. A square of dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage will help reduce stress. It released a feel good hormone in your brain called serotonin.

There are many people that would instead go to the freezer to grab their favorite ice cream when they feel this craving. You will get a better result eating a chocolate and it doesn’t take much to fill the craving.

You want to make sure that when you start to get stressed you take some time out of your day to enable yourself to lower your blood pressure. Eating healthy is a conscious decision we must make every day. Stretch before and after meals and this will get your blood flowing good.

Finally, take the time to increase the amount of fish in your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids that are in the fish will also help you decrease the cortisol levels in your blood and also decrease the adrenaline levels in your blood.

When you prepare your foods remember that adding butter or oil will not give you the full benefits of the foods you are eating. You may use seasoning lightly but not salt because salt will retain water and cause bloating.

Preparing our bodies for the healthy lifestyle is not always easy but it is worth it. If we can remember the simple foods and cook them lightly we will feel much better and less stressed. Keep on track with the main goal of reducing stress in our daily lives.

Cade Lennox is a food and health expert. He has written dozens of article about nutrition and food storage.

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Acidity of Foods

In the process of developing your acid reflux food plan, you may discover that a number of acid reflux medications today are effective only for the short term. Making important dietary changes in your life and finding out exactly how to execute those changes will help you come up with an effective acid reflux food plan so you can be on your way to healing.

Also, record any symptoms you have during this period. A food that causes excess stomach acid in one person may not cause it in someone else. Keeping a record will help you determine the foods you need to avoid in order to control your acid reflux. There are certain foods that are more likely to cause reflux than others are.

It is essential to maintain a balance in life in all aspects of living. Too much of a good thing can be bad too. The optimum ratio of alkaline and acid ash is said to be 80 % to 20%. If one can maintain this level it would not only rejuvenate his health and youth but also guard against various diseases. To be able to try and achieve this ratio one has to learn about the various types of Acid Alkaline food.

Acid forming foods are synonymous with poison. Both will surely kill you. All diseases thrive in an acidic environment and these foods help create this acidic environment. Not only does or body’s immune system get overwhelmed with various microorganisms attacking it our vital organs also find it hard to carry out their normal body functions.

Acid Reflux is a condition in which acid from the stomach escapes and moves up into the esophagus. This is not a normal process of digestion and so can cause severe discomfort. If you have too much acid in your stomach it can eat away at the stomach lining and affect the muscles in the stomach and the esophagus.

Large food portion before bedtime can lead to acid reflux . Large amounts of food at any meal can put a lot of pressure on your abdominal walls. As this pressure builds up, the lower esophageal valve starts to weaken and can eventually open, allowing food and acid to move up into your esophagus causing that unpleasant burning feeling centered in the chest.

We need to know that alkaline foods are the ones that are good for us. Acid foods are no better than alkaline foods! The correct percentage of alkaline food intake is 75-80%. 20-25% of acid foods must be taken in by our body to avoid diseases and stay healthy.

Knowing your enemy and knowing oneself is a vital idiom to learn. Your enemy in this case is are those sapping pains and restless nights caused by acid reflux disease. Yet there are positive steps to take to alleviate the problem.

You should also stay away from foods with caffeine content. This substance may bring about the secretion of gastric acid, which would later lead to acid reflux. It can be found in chocolate, coffee, tea and; carbonated drinks.

Read about colon cleansing and also read natural laxatives and natural remedy for acne

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Foods for Lower Cholesterol

It is advisable to make improvements in your diet and chosen lifestyle to lower your cholesterol level. Critical medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular accident develop from having high cholesterol. It is best to take the appropriate steps now to keeping a healthy heart; don’t delay until a health care provider informs you that you have high cholesterol.

What to Consume

Various foods can lower your cholesterol level. The ones that are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat can reduce your bad cholesterol and preserve or even improve your good cholesterol. Nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds, and also healthy oils such as olive oil and soya oil, possess these “good fats.”

Another outstanding food for lowering cholesterol are those rich in soluble fiber, such as whole grain goods like oatmeal, brown rice and whole grain bread. Fruits and vegetables are also loaded with fiber, and are beneficial in preserving your health.

Fats present in fish also assist in raising your good cholesterol level, which in turn assists your body in ridding yourself of bad cholesterol. You need to consume at least 2 servings of fish each week, especially trout, mackerel, sardines and salmon. Talk to your medical doctor about using omega 3 dietary supplements in case you are unable to consume fish frequently.

What to Stay away from

Additionally, there are foods that you ought to keep away from to retain a lower cholesterol level. Foods loaded with saturated fat and trans fat, for instance, are very bad for your well-being. Commercially packaged goods like potato chips as well as commercially produced foods usually have these “bad” fats.

It’s also advisable to stay away from fried foods, particularly those fried in coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are high in saturated fat. For a better substitute, opt for baked, grilled, steamed and boiled foods.

On the subject of dairy products, you need to reduce your consumption of butter and whole milk, which contain whole-fat. As an alternative, consider fat-free or low-fat milk and cheeses.

Other Things You Can Apply

There are additional things you can do to maintain healthy besides consuming these foods for lower cholesterol. Frequent physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight is essential. Though research has shown that most of these foods can help lower cholesterol nearly as much as taking cholesterol-lowering medicines would, it’s still ideal to talk to your physician on what you should and shouldn’t take.

For more great advice on the best foods for lower cholesterol, visit Lower Cholesterol by Diet.

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Foods Prevent Hair Loss

Hair loss has become a common concern of many people worldwide because those suffering this problem tend to feel unconfident and afraid when communicating with other ones. Here are some foods that can help them prevent hair loss and maintain a healthy life.

 

Protein-rich diet

You can maintain your healthy hair by eating a protein-rich diet because hair is primarily made of protein. However, high-fat foods including steak may cause increased testosterone levels, which are linked to hair loss. Consuming fish, chicken, calf’s liver, brewer’s yeast, low-fat cheese, eggs, almonds, beans and yogurt is beneficial to preventing hair loss.

Soy milk and tofu are also vital because they are high in protein and low in bad fats

Fish has a myriad of health benefits beyond just maintaining your hair

Low-fat yogurt is good for preventing hair loss

 

Iron-rich foods

Iron plays an important role in producing hemoglobin, one part of the blood that carries oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues, so oxygen is properly dispersed if your hemoglobin is at a healthy level. Some iron-rich foods like dried fruits (especially raisin), cherry juice, dark green, leafy vegetables and whole-grain cereals are good for your health.

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, so eating fruits such as oranges, strawberries and lemons should be on your grocery list of foods to prevent hair loss

 

Silica-rich foods

Silica should be on your menu if you expect to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss because our bodies use silica to help them absorb vitamins and minerals. Silica can be found in bean sprouts and the skin of cucumbers, red and green peppers and potatoes.

You’re getting more nutritional value out of these foods if eating them raw

 

A balanced diet

Your hair can benefit from eating a balanced diet that combines some kinds of functional foods rich in protein, iron, silica, and zinc. The diet also helps you maintain a healthy life provide enough nutrition.

Make sure that you don’t consume some foods that speed up hair loss process

 

Zinc-heavy diet

Zinc deficiencies are among major factors leading to hair loss because zinc plays a key role in many of the body’s functions, from cell reproduction to hormonal balance, which affect hair growth. Particularly, the ingredient manages the glands that attach to your hair follicles. Therefore, eating zinc-heavy foods such as red meats, poultry, mussels, shrimp, nuts, and oysters can help you stop your hair loss.

Shrimp is good for those who suffer from hair loss

 

 

I have been working as a doctor of a general hospital since February 1998. In addition, I am a full time writer and specialize in weight loss related issues. I also write for a number of different websites on the Internet.

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High Fiber Foods List

Fiber regulates bowel movements, normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels. There are many foods that can be used in our bodies for natural forms of fiber. Here are some of these:

Whole grains: They come in many forms, such as bread, muffins, and breakfast cereal. The great thing about them is that they are inexpensive, and they are easy to come by. It should be noted however, that if you decide to eat a large amount of whole grains, that you should also drink lots of water. Whole grains can get clogged up in the bowels, and then this will counteract the reason why you ate this fiber in the first place!

Fruits: Besides the fact that fruits just taste great, and are naturally sweet, they are full of fiber. Fruits are also 50%+ water, so this is truly a great natural combination. You should eat fruits like raspberries, cherries, grapes, peaches, and apricots. The last 3 fruits work really well when you eat them as dried fruit (ex: raisins). Plums are in the peach family, and they are well known for their fiber. (dried plums are prunes). Prune juice is known for its fiber, and for getting your digestive tract moving. The apple is the king of fiber… The skin of apples is especially rich in fiber, and the flesh has pectin and malic acid.

Nuts:Eat them all, they are all full of fiber, and they contain natural oils, which are good for your heart health, and your mental well being.

Vegetables: Like fruits, they are packed full of nutrients, flavor, fiber, and water. The best types of vegetables for fiber are your dark greens, potatoes with skin (yes, you can and should eat the skins), celery, salad greens, and cucumbers. These are all also full of water, so you can’t lose with any of these.

Beans/Legumes: If you like beans, then you are in luck (if you hate the gas, try pre-soaking them in water for a few hours). Beans have a great dietary profile, being full of protein and fiber and they are also pretty cheap. It only cost pennies to make a meal out of beans that will feed the whole family, and that will keep everyone healthy.

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Click here to take a look at the original article: High Fiber Foods List

SacredEden.com is an online health store that can fill all your health needs. Sacred Edens mission is to restore people back to a state of perfection. Visit SacredEden.com and find out more about our herbal formulas, vitamins, minerals and much more.

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Fat Burning Foods

Consuming high calorie foods and having high levels of fat in the body are commonly seen problems in the majority of people around the globe. Many people would prefer to opt for low calorie foods in order to eat healthier but they may not know which foods are optimal for burning fat. However, there are many foods which enhance a person’s natural power to burn the fat.

Fat burning foods are used in a similar manner to other foods. They can be a part of a normal, healthy diet and thus help in burning fat naturally. Some foods that can be used to burn fat are carrots, tomatoes, celery, garlic, onions, and grapefruit.

Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. This helps in efficiently burning fat. Your body is similar to an oven and certain elements are required to keep it running. Likewise, your body also needs vital elements to keep it functional. Carrots contain high nutrients and vitamin A, which plays a strong role in eradicating fat cells naturally from our body. It is always recommended that we eat raw carrots, as cooked carrots lose many of the nutrients that make it such a power food.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C. Tomatoes have the ability to boost body metabolic process and enhance oxalic acid and citric acid. The body’s natural power is utilized by these acids which burn calories and fat gradually in your body. It also stabilizes kidney function and flushes out the extra water from your body. Fresh tomatoes are always recommended due to the richness of nutrients that they contain.

Celery

Celery is rich in calcium and fiber. It has the ability to trigger the body’s metabolism by providing a sufficient amount of calcium for the body. High concentration of celery in a diet is the perfect thing to promote your weight loss plans. Celery is not easily digestible, which makes it one of the best fat burning foods. It is low in calories and requires a lot of energy for digestion. In fact, the energy required to digest it is greater than the energy we get from it.

Garlic

Garlic has an unbeatable cleansing property. Though it is used in making variety of dishes, many people are not aware of its actual trait. It is one of the best fat burning foods. The outcome of its usage is that retained body water is flushed out easily. Roasted garlic is a healthy snack.

Onions

Onions are not only tear creators but also are efficient source of fat burners. They are full of essential nutrients and vitamins which can break down body fat. A good way to use onions is to utilize them in salads or sandwiches. It’s important to remember though that cooked onions are not as beneficial as raw onions.

Grapefruit

Grape is not just a simple fruit! Most of us are unaware of the fact that it has the capacity to bring down body weight by burning fat. It dilutes the fat via vitamin C and citric acid. It also helps in digestion and the rich fiber helps you feel full longer.

Many foods are available to help burn fat. They should be eaten several times per day for maximum results. If you utilize these fat burning foods in your daily diet, you can expect a decrease in body weight over time.

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Pre Diabetic Foods

Pre-diabetic foods should consist of foods that are low in sugar, low in carbohydrates, low in calories, low in fat, low in cholesterol and in sodium. Wow, that’s a lot right? Not necessarily. You just do not want foods that are unusually or extremely high in these areas. The lower you can keep your daily intake in these areas the better you will be.

This can be a very tricky subject as well. Some foods that claim to be “healthy” and “nutritious” are actually just the opposite and should be avoided at all costs. For example: McDonald’s Chicken Selects Premium Breasts Strips contain 11g of fat, 1550 mg of sodium and are actually worse than eating the Big Mac!

Just because the food may be marketed as being healthy and nutritious, doesn’t mean that you should take the manufacturer’s word for it. Learn to read the nutrition labels that are federally mandatory by law to be provided to the consumer. McDonald’s now has the labels printed on the boxes that their food is served in; however, prior to ordering you can ask for a nutrition booklet and this booklet can be handy to keep in your car.

By learning to read the labels, you can ensure that you are maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. Learn to limit your intake and your proportions. You don’t have to follow the Atkin’s low carb diet. Just limit your carbohydrate intake per meal. Consuming 30-45g of carbohydrates per meal can still be healthy.

Learn to count condiments too. You may not think that salad dressing, ketchup or steak sauce counts, but it does, just like margarine and other fats. Ketchup, salad dressing and steak sauce, as well as other condiments, contains carbohydrates, fats, sugars and calories and sometimes through excessive use, can add up extremely fast. How much salad dressing do you put on your salad? A healthy serving size is just a teaspoon or two and not ¼ of a cup.

Labels are Important – Finding the right pre diabetic foods can be just as easy as reading the nutrition labels. Those labels are there for a reason and should be taken advantage of. They are actually very easy to read and will become easier with time. Consulting with a dietician can prove to be beneficial because it will help you to learn all of the important aspects of label reading; however, you can pretty much figure it out on your own through constant awareness and by following the serving sizes that are recommended on the label.

Ask your physician what the perfect calorie intake for you should be to gain some sort of a guideline to begin with. Following a calorie guideline on a daily basis, will help you to become more aware of what you are eating and how much you are eating. You will become a more conscious eater; therefore, you will become a healthier eater and this is what pre diabetes and the pre diabetes diet is all about. Controlling what you eat and becoming a healthier eater to help deter your chances of diabetes onset, later in life.

Go to Diabetic Diet Zone to get your free ebook on Diabetic Diets at Diabetic Diet Diabetic Diet Zone also has information on Pre Diabetic Foods along with a lot of other free information. Come by our new Diabetic Diet Community site today for free ebooks and other free information that can help you today.

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Lowering Cholesterol Foods

If you’re suffering from high cholesterol, lowering your cholesterol level can never be fast enough; whether you’re seeking a natural way to lower cholesterol or via some other alternative treatment. According to an article by CNN in November 2006, “more than 70 million Americans live everyday with some form of heart disease.” And the number is expected to rise steadily over the next 10 years.

If you have been asking yourself about what type of foods to lower cholesterol levels should you consume on a daily basis, I can only assume that you are taking your health very seriously. So here is the good news. There is no need to travel to the jungles of Borneo to seek out a certain, exotic food to eat for high cholesterol. Every list of foods that help to lower cholesterol can be found at your local mart.

High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol mean a lower risk of heart disease. Most doctors suggest cholesterol levels should stay under 200 mg/dl. Lowering cholesterol is recommended to lead a more healthy life and main. Lowering cholesterol is just one way to look after your heart.

The blueberry group had cholesterol levels 37 percent lower than the control group while the ciprofibrate group’s cholesterol levels were 17 percent lower than the control group. Authors of the study attributed the cholesterol-lowering effect to a compound in blueberries called pterostilbene, which caused liver cells to activate a response that leads to lower cholesterol.

Anything not taken into the cell for use is transported back to the liver where it is recycled or simply eliminated.  It is important to note that every cell in your body has the ability to make what it needs internally, and every cell in your body has the ability to grab in out of the the blood and bring it into the cell for use.

The American Heart Association recommends the eating of fruits and vegetables high in soluble fiber which has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. Fiber is that portion of plants that your body cannot digest. It is classified as soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber has little effect on blood cholesterol, but is good for maintaining proper bowel functioning.

Herbs to reduce blood cholesterol are new options to dealing with higher levels of cholesterol. It is especially good for people do not respond well to pharmaceutical cholesterol-lowering medications. Always consult to you doctor before use some of herbs to reduce blood cholesterol.

The recommended intake of polyunsaturated fats is about 10% of total energy intake. The best sources for this type of fat include liquid vegetable oils, semi-liquid margarine, and other margarines low in transfatty acids.

It is transported through the blood stream and tends to drop off along the way, clogging arteries and blood vessels, and contributing to plaque formation. HDL cholesterol on the other hand removes LDL cholesterol from the circulatory system and returns it to the liver which removes it from the body.

Read about mucuna pruriens and also read gymnema sylvestre and boost immune system

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Cholesterol Lowering Foods

The best cholesterol lowering foods are plant-based foods, which do not contain any unhealthy fats, or any other unhealthy substances that can cause high cholesterol levels to occur. Some cholesterol is good in the body, but when the bad cholesterol takes over in the body, serious health problems can occur.

Following is a list of some great cholesterol lowering foods that can be made a part of a healthy and a permanent diet.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats such as monounsaturated fats (omega 9) and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 and 6) are essential in helping to lower high cholesterol levels. These fats can be found in foods such as avocados, coconuts, nuts and seeds as well as in berries and leafy greens.

High Fiber Foods

High fiber foods also have a cholesterol lowering effect on the body. Fiber helps to prevent cholesterol from being absorbed in the intestines by grabbing a hold of it and eliminating it from the body.

In addition, fiber also eliminates toxins in the same manner, which prevents them from circulating in the body. Any toxins that circulate in the body, which the body is unable to get rid of in a timely manner are stored away in fat cells, which contributes to high cholesterol levels.

Foods that are high in fiber include just about all plant-based foods such as apples, prunes, peaches, pears, celery, carrots, leafy greens as well as nuts and seeds. These foods are best when consumed raw, as that insures that all enzymes and nutrients are still available to the body.

Plant Stanols and Plant Sterols

Plant stanols and sterols are found in most plant based foods such as legumes, nuts and seeds, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, avocados and broccoli.

These substances are very similar to the cholesterol that is produced by the body, or that is obtained from animal proteins. The only difference is that these substances will not contribute to high cholesterol, but rather, they help to reduce high cholesterol levels.

Furthermore, these substances also block the absorption of cholesterol when they are in the digestive system. Thus they are great for not only lowering the cholesterol levels, but they are also essential in helping to prevent high cholesterol.

Niacin Rich Foods

Niacin is also known as vitamin B3. It is often used as a drug to help lower cholesterol levels, but it can also be obtained through a healthy diet. Niacin rich foods include flax seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, peanuts, mushrooms, legumes and leafy green vegetables as well as many other vegetables.

Adding the above cholesterol lowering foods to the daily diet, and avoiding other cholesterol causing foods, will help to maintain the cholesterol levels at a healthy level.

To find out more about raw and living foods visit http://www.livingfood101.com/. You can also join me at http://hubpages.com/profile/LivingFood and http://www.triond.com/users/LivingFood

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Foods That Burn Fat

There are some foods, mostly vegetables, that need more calories to digest than it contains. These foods however, limit our choices as well as inhibit us from having a well balanced meal. There are certain food groups on the other hand, that increase metabolic activity and break down fatty components. These foods are varied and are often included in one’s daily diet. Taken in considerable amounts and paired with a consistent exercise and diet plan, these foods may indeed, appear to burn fats.

Proteins come in various forms. Foods such as eggs, milk, lean red and white meat, fish, legumes and nuts contain protein which build muscles. When we consume protein rich foods, more calories are needed to digest it. This is the reason why we feel full longer when our diet contains a lot of protein. Muscles need protein to grow and are known as the building blocks of the body. Our metabolic activity benefits from muscle growth because muscles burn many more calories than fat cells. These two benefits of protein is critical in fighting fat. Whether you are slimming down or bulking up, protein is an essential component of a healthy diet.

Whole grains and whole grain cereals contain a high percentage of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Whole grains retain most of its components because they do not go through a lot of processing. Compared with refined, sugary carbs, whole grains do not cause insulin spikes. This is important excess insulin causes our body to store fats. Whole grains are harder to digest and therefore makes us fuller longer. Eating whole grains, especially in the morning, prevents us from overeating later in the day. It also increases metabolism because it requires more calories to digest. Oats, brown rice, corn, wheat, barley and rye are some examples of whole grain foods.

Vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts should be a staple of every diet plan. These foods are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein carbohydrates and water. They also contain hard to digest fibers that maintain optimal metabolism. Negative calorie foods that take more energy to digest than they contain belong to this group. Examples are vegetables like celery, garlic, lettuce, etc. Hot peppers and jalapeños have been noted to contain capsaicin which increases heat production for a short time after ingestion and may increase thermogenesis. These hot foods, taken as is, also use up more calories to digest.

These foods can help in your efforts to lose fat. We can be creative in their preparation and use flavor enhancers that are fat free. And don’t forget, the above mentioned group of foods also provide us with healthy, well balanced choices and will not leave us feeling deprived. These foods, coupled with a regular exercise plan, will help you reach your weight loss goals.

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