Archive for the ‘Diet’ Category
Why Is Drinking Alcohol Forbidden On The Atkins Diet
March 10, 2015During the induction stage of the Atkins diet, drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden. It is only allowed during the maintenance stage of the diet and it should not be the first item that is re-introduced to the diet. Drinking alcohol, such as rum and wine, should be avoided on the Atkins diet as they contain sugar. The reason why drinking alcohol is forbidden through most of the Atkins diet is because it basically stops the fat burning activities in the body and can cause blood sugars to become unpredictable. The liver makes ketones from alcohol, and the body should remain in ketosis even while drinking. Nevertheless, alcohol is converted much easier than fatty acids are, and thus the liver produces the ketones using alcohol rather than the fat that is available. This means that fat burning does not reoccur until all of the alcohol is out of the system.
People who drink alcohol while on the Atkins diet can find themselves feeling the effects much quicker than normal, because the alcohol is rapidly broken down into ketones. This can cause problems for the drinker, and is why alcohol is probably best to be avoided. Alternatively light or limited drinking of alcohol during the Atkins diet should not have too many adverse effects, especially if the drinker has eaten properly beforehand, allowing for slower absorption of the alcohol. Alcohol is also high in calories and is generally avoided during any form of dieting.
Drinking Alcohol that is Allowed on the Atkins Diet
By the time the maintenance stage of the diet is reached, it is permissible to drink alcohol on the Atkins diet. Distilled spirits such as vodka and gin are the best options, because they are low in calories and do not contain sugar. The mixers that are used should also be given serious consideration since most contain sugars in their content. This includes fruit juices, tonic water and non-diet drinks that you would normally mix with alcohol. Even drinking spirits with low calorie mixers can stop weight loss and even cause weight gain. If this happens, it is advisable to discontinue drinking alcohol during the Atkins diet.
Liquors and cocktails are usually a no-no for dieters, but there are low-carb varieties of cocktails available to allow most people can enjoy the occasional beverage while using the Atkins diet to lose weight. Until you have reached your target weight, it is best to avoid alcohol altogether and when re-introducing it back into the diet, follow the process slowly and carefully. This is a wise choice, since the effects of alcohol on your system can change while you are dieting
Hypothyroidism And Diet Good And Bad Foods
March 6, 2015An overactive or underactive thyroid gland can result in a number of troublesome symptoms that require medical attention. Fortunately, while you find out what is the most appropriate treatment for you, you may start including foods that help the thyroid gland; they support thyroid function mostly by providing a source of the mineral iodine, which is crucial to a healthy thyroid.
The thyroid gland, which is located in the neck, produces hormones that affect a variety of metabolic processes in the body. If the body does not produce sufficient amounts of the thyroid hormone T4, symptoms of underactive thyroid result. Among these symptoms are fatigue, depression, weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold often, constipation, brittle or splitting nails, memory problems, and dry skin. Since iodine is required to produce thyroid hormones, certain foods that are rich in this important mineral may play a key role.
Iodine-rich Foods that That Help The Thyroid Gland
Thyroid activity involves several hormones, most notably T4, T3, and TSH. When levels of T4 are low, symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland will become apparent unless hormone levels are regulated. Under normal circumstances, this regulation takes place when the pituitary gland produces TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to extract more iodine from the blood. The iodine is used to produce enough T4 to restore adequate hormone levels in the blood.
There is usually 20 to 30 mg of iodine stored in the body, mostly in the thyroid gland, though some iodine is also stored in the lining of the stomach, salivary glands and in the blood. If iodine stores become depleted, the body will not be able to make enough thyroid hormone. In such cases, foods that have shown to help the thyroid gland to produce T4 are important to help the body make adequate amounts of thyroid hormones.
Some of these foods include:
seaweeds like lato, kelp, nori, gamet and balbalulang
yogurt
cow’s milk
seafood
foods grown in iodine rich soil
Foods You Should Avoid
It is also important to note that in addition to foods that help the thyroid gland naturally, there are also foods that inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. These foods, known as goitrogens, contain compounds that interfere with iodine absorption. Goitrogen-containing foods include cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
To learn about other 5 foods that can interfere with the thyroid function – and for a full and easy-to-follow diet and weight loss plan for hypothyroidism, visit: hypothyroidism, food and diet.
Mediterranean Diet Pyramid
February 21, 2015This Pyramid, which represents the optimal, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete and southern Italy in the 1960s. >
It is structured in the light of nutrition research carried out in 1993 and presented by Professor Walter Willet during the 1993 International Conference on the Diets of the Mediterranean, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid underlines the importance of the foods making up the principal food groups. Each of these individual food groups offers some, but not all, of the nutrients one needs. Food from one group cannot replace that of another group. All the groups are necessary for a healthy diet. The basic products of the Mediterranean diet, in descending order of quantity and frequency advised, are:
Grains: These form the base of the majority of meals in Mediterranean countries – bread (wholemeal or otherwise), pasta,
couscous and rice.
Fruit and vegetables: Meals are more flavoursome when in-season products are selected and they are cooked very simply. In most Mediterranean countries the dessert is generally fruit.
Legumes and nuts: A wide variety of legumes and nuts, such as chickpeas, lentils, haricot beans, pine kernels, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc. are used in cooking. Olive oil and olives: “Olive oil” and “Virgin olive oil” are used throughout the Mediterranean. The former is normally used for cooking. The latter, which is appropriate for all uses, is excellent when consumed raw to best appreciate its aroma and flavour and to benefit fully from all its natural components. The proportion of fats in the traditional diet of Crete
observed by Professor Ancel Keys, was >40 were saturated fats, 3 monounsaturated (olive oil).
Dairy products: Cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products, with no special mention of milk.
Fish: offered as a first class protein, before eggs and poultry.
The highest point of the Pyramid, meaning that its consumption is least advised, is occupied by red meat and just slightly below, but also of little importance,
are sweets and pastries.
Regular physical activity is vital to maintaining good health and optimal weight. Wine can be consumed in moderation,
primarily with meals (1-2 glasses/day). It is optional and should be avoided whenever it puts the individuals or others at risk.
Include Immunity Boosters in Diet
February 17, 2015Most of the people are suffering from some or the other disease. Most of these diseases are viral or bacterial in origin and are transmitted from an infected person. Rather than looking for ways or medicines to cure diseases, it is better to include immunity boosters in diet so as to avoid falling a pray to any such disease.
In early days, people were bestowed with longer life span as they rarely fell ill, but in today’s life, there it is rare to find one such individual who is not suffering from any health related issue. People can escape the chances of falling ill, if they have good immune system. Immune system of the body is the capacity to fight with the disease causing germs. We cannot avoid accidents and mishaps, but if you take immunity boosters at right time, you can lessen the risk of getting infected with a disease-causing agent. As a stitch in time safes nine, the best time to care for health is now. For that, we need to know what all the immunity boosters and in what form can they be taken.
Vitamins A, B6, C, and E are the chief immunity boosters. Most of these vitamins can be found in fruits. Citrus fruits, in particular are rich in vitamin C, but fruits are not equally good in all seasons. Moreover, many people catch cold after eating them. Rather than proving beneficial, they would adversely affect the person. Another way is to take them in the form of some health supplement. There are various types of nutritional health supplements which are very effective in boosting immunity. Omega 3 fatty acids capsules are very good to strengthen immunity. So does the Oxyflax supplement as it is rich in flax seeds.
Fish liver oil which is included in Omega 3 capsules are also good as they help fighting the signs of ageing and makes people stronger against diseases. Healthy diet has always been advised to people to have a good immunity, but it is rare to achieve. In that case, health supplements and other products make it possible for people to achieve better health and longevity.
Author:-
Daisy Wilson is well known author and written articles on healthcare products, supplements women health care, skin care products, omega3 oil, cardiac care, cholesterol diet, diabetes treatment and many more services in India.
Qunioa – The Super Diet
February 17, 2015Quinoa Super Diet
What you really want is just something that works! The Quinoa Super Diet is a healthy great tasting way to melt fat off and Not Use Sugar. This small grain is powering the next health food, grain based, diet explosion as it was named as a “super food” by the United Nations. Quinoa Can Help You Melt Away the Pounds Starting Today. Even if you are in good shape you know that getting rid of that extra 10 or 15 lbs. would not hurt, right? But you have tried so many different diets and weight loss ‘miracle’ cures you do not know who or what to believe anymore. You just want to regain that figure you once had such pride in … and you should! Many fad diets just plain do not produce the results you desire. And that is very frustrating. It is time to end that madness with a sensible, healthy, all-natural product from the mountains of South America – something that JUST WORKS, finally!
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a gluten free grain very high in protein, essential amino acids, and iron. It contains 14 grams of protein for every 100 gram serving! When cooked, it has a fluffy texture and acts as a much healthier substitute for rice or potatoes. Did I mention the taste? The light but hearty grain is very rich in flavor and most everyone who tries it wonders why they waited so long. On the Peruvian-Bolivian alpine plain it has been grown for ages together with corn and beans as a staple food of ancient Incans. Quinoa, in language of Incans, means ‘mother of cereals’. The high nutritional value of Quinoa has been known from the beginning of the 20th century, causing a big boom during 1st World War in all of Europe. Quinoa is very versatile and can be used in recipes for: breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks… the list goes on.
Here is just one testimony of many Quinoa Super Dieters: “Once I started eating Quinoa, the difference was noticeable right away. I was able to lose 6 lbs. in my first 5 days on the plan. Of course once you see those results it motivates you to keep going. I have since lost the 15 more lbs. of baby weight that I was trying to get rid of for over 3 years! And the best part is, it tastes delicious and takes seconds to prepare. I just add quinoa to my regular meals.”
Lose weight with the Quinoa Super Diet. Something that is so simple, so healthy a diet that WORKS.