Top Fat-Burning Diet Foods to Lose Weight Quickly

October 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Are you interested to find out the secret of successful weight loss programs? At last, the top fat-burning diet foods to lose weight are revealed in this article. Read on to find out now so you can become one of those lucky fellows who can reap the utmost benefits of these foods.


There are hundreds of dietary supplements and programs to help us burn those calories away. Compared to previous generations, more people today have health problems so there are also more people who are looking for the best calorie-burners. At last! The top fat-burning diet foods to lose weight are revealed in this article so do not worry too much and just read and relax. Below are the keys that are the secret to your victory in your health battle. Best Foods To Lose Weight Quickly


1. Mixed vegetables - With the All-You-Can-Eat Vegetable Soup Diet, you have the option to eat as much as you can and as many times in a day because vegetables are sure to burn those calories away. Just make sure that you do not put too much salt in your soup because salt is not good for your health. You can even combine two or more vegetables or just focus on a single vegetable. Suit your taste.


2. Cabbage - This particular vegetable is an excellent choice for health-conscious people. It is satisfying and healthy, so most people love making cabbage soup. With just one cup of this soup a day, you will not feel as hungry as you used to. You can also put in some carrots, green peas, corn, or any other healthy ingredient in your soup to suit your appetite.


3. Hot Taco Soup - This is a great choice for people of all ages because it has peppers, tomatoes, and protein sources like mince or beef. It is delicious and a proven fat-burner. Best Foods To Lose Weight Quickly


View the original article here

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss diet 

Downsides of a Low-Carb Diet

October 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Lipolysis sounds pretty attractive, doesn’t it? You’re effortlessly burning up fat, right? But it can lead to serious trouble.

The Archives of Internal Medicine ran a story last January by researchers who found that participants who ate a low-carbohydrate diet lowered their blood pressure levels more than did those who ate a low-fat diet while taking Orlistat, a fat-blocking medication. Since I’m a lot more interested in cutting fat from our diets than I am in counting carbs, this study caught my attention.

Twenty grams or less

But what really surprised me about this study was the diet that the low-carb participants were given to eat. They were allowed only 20 grams or less of carbohydrates per day–the equivalent of 1 medium apple or 1 standard slice of bread. This started me thinking about the possible dangers of a low-carb diet.

The body of a person who is eating only 20 grams of carbs a day is going to have trouble finding enough carbs to produce the glucose that the brain absolutely must have to function. Since carbs are our body’s chief source of energy, if the body is not getting enough of them, it must turn to “Plan B”: breaking down its own fat stores (aka lipolysis) in order to produce energy.

The trouble with Plan B

Lipolysis sounds pretty attractive, doesn’t it? You’re effortlessly burning up fat, right? But it can lead to serious trouble. When the liver starts breaking down fat for fuel, one of the byproducts of this fat metabolism are fatty acids called ketones or ketone bodies. If ketones build up in the blood, they will initiate a process called ketosis, which leads to unclear thinking, diminished energy, bone disease, and possible kidney issues. One of these ketones is acetone, an organic solvent as well as a material used in making plastics. Not surprisingly, acetone is potentially toxic to the body.

Determine a safe level of carbs

So, if you’re planning to embark on a low-carb diet, discuss with your doctor and dietitian the possible risks, including ketosis. Ask them what constitutes a realistic or “livable” carb level. This may not only help you eat more healthy fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but may also help your body avoid breaking down fat and muscle to make essential glucose.

To put dietary carbs into perspective for you, the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for carbohydrates is 130 grams per day. If that amount seems too high for your purposes, try to go no lower than 70 grams a day, to minimize your long-term risks of ketosis.

Two fruits, 2 veggies, and 2 starches, for example, contain a total of about 70 grams of carbs. Aiming for at least 100 grams of carbs a day is an even  better bet to ward off or get out of ketosis. And choosing a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables will help increase the vitamins, minerals, and fiber in your diet.

The other diet used by participants in the Archives study–eating a low-fat diet while also taking the diet drug Orlistat–was not risk-free either. Orlistat is not necessarily indicated for long-term use because it can result in decreased absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Which reminds me: No matter what diet philosophy you are following, I generally recommend that you get a blood test to determine your level of 25 (OH) vitamin D. Most people are now deficient in vitamin D, especially during the winter, and this deficiency can worsen issues with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, as well as its more commonly known bone-related risks.

View the original article here

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss diet 

Spice Up Your Diet for Weight Loss

October 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment

The other day, I was strolling through a farmer’s market in Baltimore and was amazed to see the abundance of fresh herbs and gorgeous fruits and vegetables, most at bargain prices. The aroma of the fresh arugula captured my attention, and I bought a pound… which I ate in about 4 days!

I found myself getting more and more creative with the arugula as each day passed and, as my fiber intake increased, my hunger decreased–a common response. This is one of the reasons I recommend a high-fiber diet to my clients.

With this in mind, I started thinking about a “Farmers-Market Diet,” but minus the strict “diet” part–just enjoying the taste and health of fresh herbs while lightening up on the calories. Now that we’re easing into summer, it just feels right.

Here are some of my all-time favorite herbs and how I prepare and use them:

Arugula. I love this peppery leaf drizzled with balsamic vinegar; a pinch of added pepper and salt; about 2-3 ounces of shaved parmesan or similar cheese; and berries for added fiber and flavor (my favorites: raspberries and blackberries). This was my meal the other night and it was just perfect.

Basil. I was inspired by a Food Network show years ago in which the host took a handful of basil, added balsamic vinegar, then stacked the leaves, rolled them up tightly, and cut across the rolls with a sharp knife–and presto! The basil was quickly sliced into fine ribbons (in fancy lingo, this process is called a chiffonade). Then the chef added sliced strawberries. Try this treat before adding a sweetener; you might find the sweetness of the balsamic vinegar is enough.

Cilantro. This is one of my all-time, favorite herbs. I have a salsa recipe in my first book, Nourishing the New You, and I often add even more cilantro to it. It fills me up fast and I really love the added flavor. Here’s the salsa recipe: 

Ingredients:
1 cup coarsely chopped tomato
¼ cup coarsely chopped yellow or red onion
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (optional)
2 TBSP chopped, fresh cilantro
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cracked black pepper.

Directions:
Place the tomato, onion, and jalapeno pepper (if using) in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse the mixture just enough to break the pieces down to a little smaller size. Add the cilantro, salt, and pepper, and then pulse one or two more times. Enjoy!

Mint. My mom makes a delicious mint soup that I grew up on and still love today. Add lots of fresh mint to a pot of water, some salt, and then drop in a few fresh eggs (if you’re a vegan, of course omit these). Mom then adds some chunks of fresh Portuguese bread that’s been loosely torn apart and just a drizzle of good-quality olive oil (she also uses a Portuguese variety). This soup is great, not only when you’re under the weather but also when you’re looking for a delicious, low-calorie alternative to high-calorie soups!

Some helpful Web sites about herbs

I hope you enjoy these herbal inspirations from my trip to the farmer’s market. May it not only help you to lighten up your menus, but also inspire you to make up your own healthy herbal creations.

Happy eating!

View the original article here

Posted by Valen | Filed Under Weight loss diet 

Next Page »