We've all been there. You can eat something and a little while later you can puff out the tummy like a blowfish. The reason your stomach can swell up like that after eating is due to the foods that you're digesting.
According to some studies, if you want to keep your belly flat there are certain recommended foods that help in digestion to naturally flush out water gain. Try eating more blueberries, salmon, watermelon, asparagus, and citrus fruits.
If you want something really refreshing instead of coffee and tea, you might want to squeeze some fresh lemon into a glass of water and drink. You will notice how much flatter that tummy stays down the more coffee is out of the picture.
On the other hand, foods that are high in sodium and sugar will make you retain liquids and expand the tummy area like a balloon with excess water weight. Soy sauce, canned soups, alcohol, popcorn, and dried fruits are foods to be careful of not overeating. Otherwise, you could quickly become uncomfortable in those stylish and tight new pair of designer jeans!
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Friday, March 16, 2012
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Soy Nuts May Help Lower High Blood Pressure!
Those with high blood pressure might want to consider adding some soy nuts to their diets, especially postmenopausal women.
Soy nuts are simply soy beans that have been roasted. They are a complete plant protein (35g per 100g serving of soy protein) and chalked full of B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, vitamin K, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
According to a recent study, only 1/2 cup per day was all that was needed to decrease systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) by 10% and 7% lower diastolic (the bottom number).
Start now adding soy nuts to salads and trail mix. Besides helping reduce your blood pressure, soy can help give you more energy while improving the cardiovascular, skeletal, immune and nervous system workings of your body.
So why not start munching some soy nuts now, and perhaps, later you will need less or a lower dose of that blood pressure drug to swallow?
Soy nuts are simply soy beans that have been roasted. They are a complete plant protein (35g per 100g serving of soy protein) and chalked full of B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, vitamin K, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
According to a recent study, only 1/2 cup per day was all that was needed to decrease systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) by 10% and 7% lower diastolic (the bottom number).
Start now adding soy nuts to salads and trail mix. Besides helping reduce your blood pressure, soy can help give you more energy while improving the cardiovascular, skeletal, immune and nervous system workings of your body.
So why not start munching some soy nuts now, and perhaps, later you will need less or a lower dose of that blood pressure drug to swallow?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Why You Should Include Potatoes in Your Diet for Health and Fitness
Potatoes usually get a bad rap when it comes to diet. However, they loaded with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C, B-1, B-2, folic acid, B-6, and niacin besides being low in sodium, high in potassium and providing adequate levels of iron and magnesium--all minerals.
Something you may not know is that eating raw potatoes help relieve constipation. Slice thin to eat in your salads is one way to help regulate your system. Cooking on the other hand, kills the enzyme in the potato responsible for this constipation benefit.
Another interesting thing to keep in mind about the importance of potatoes concerns anticancer properties. Raw potatoes have high concentrations of protease inhibitors, which can vanquish certain viruses and carcinogens. Again, cooking takes away that helpful benefit as well.
In addition, potatoes are easily digested and filling. The truth is the potato itself is not that fattening. On the contrary, the extras such as butter, margarine, sour cream, and rich gravies can transform an innocent medium size potato of approximately 90 calories to one of several hundred.
To reduce some calories of mashed potatoes, you can try adding some low-fat cottage cheese that you processed in the blender or food processor as a wonderful substitute for sour cream.
Another way to lower calorie content is to mash those potatoes adding some chicken broth (hopefully homemade that you had a chance to skim the fat off your soup when cooled in the refrigerator first) instead of butter and milk.
What else you can try is some plain yogurt flavored with chives, parsley, or other fresh herbs instead of butter or margarine on your baked or mashed potatoes.
If you love French Fries, you can still eat them with my low-cal oven fries. This recipe has just three tablespoons of healthy olive oil to coat four to six potatoes. Trust me, this is a tasty alternative to artery-clogging real ones while being good for your heart and your figure.
Something you may not know is that eating raw potatoes help relieve constipation. Slice thin to eat in your salads is one way to help regulate your system. Cooking on the other hand, kills the enzyme in the potato responsible for this constipation benefit.
Another interesting thing to keep in mind about the importance of potatoes concerns anticancer properties. Raw potatoes have high concentrations of protease inhibitors, which can vanquish certain viruses and carcinogens. Again, cooking takes away that helpful benefit as well.
In addition, potatoes are easily digested and filling. The truth is the potato itself is not that fattening. On the contrary, the extras such as butter, margarine, sour cream, and rich gravies can transform an innocent medium size potato of approximately 90 calories to one of several hundred.
To reduce some calories of mashed potatoes, you can try adding some low-fat cottage cheese that you processed in the blender or food processor as a wonderful substitute for sour cream.
Another way to lower calorie content is to mash those potatoes adding some chicken broth (hopefully homemade that you had a chance to skim the fat off your soup when cooled in the refrigerator first) instead of butter and milk.
What else you can try is some plain yogurt flavored with chives, parsley, or other fresh herbs instead of butter or margarine on your baked or mashed potatoes.
If you love French Fries, you can still eat them with my low-cal oven fries. This recipe has just three tablespoons of healthy olive oil to coat four to six potatoes. Trust me, this is a tasty alternative to artery-clogging real ones while being good for your heart and your figure.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Dropping Pounds Made Easier With These Few Simple Tricks!
How many times do you start a diet with good intentions and end up failing for one reason or another? However, there are some simple tricks that can help keep you on the right track toward your weight loss goals.
1. Avoid grocery shopping while you're hungry.
2. Eat your meals before feeding your family. By doing so, you will be full and more able to resist temptation of what high calorie food that could sabotage your dieting efforts. This may sound like a silly tip, but it works.
3. Plan out your meals ahead of time and make a list of the foods you need to make them and stick to that sheet.
4. Keep a food diary and jot down everything you eat. You might be surprised how each tablespoon when cooking or just a teaspoon of peanut butter for example can add up when counting calories.
5. Eating on smaller plates instead of oversized ones can provide an illusion to your mind that you are eating more than you actually are.
6. If you finish a meal and still feel not quite full, you might like to try waiting 10 minutes before looking for something else to eat. Often, that hunger urge will pass.
7. Brush and floss your teeth directly after dinner to resist snacking later. Sometimes, it is good to be lazy and keep a clean mouth to avoid flossing and brushing again.
8. Drink water with your meals to help dull your appetite. Six to eight glasses a day acts as a diuretic and will clean your system out of impurities.
9. Learn to stop eating in front of the television. Eat your meals only at the table.
10. Make a habit of weighing yourself once a week at the same time. Your weight does change at certain times of the day.
11. When you feel the urge to pig out, you might try eating something sour like a pickle or lemon to suck on. This bitter taste in your mouth could help you eliminate those cravings.
12. Those times you need a sweet, you also need to substitute that urge for fruit, but be aware of the calories and the portion you can have.
13. Avoiding the hunger for pastry, cakes, cookies, and ice cream is easier when it is not in your house.
14. Did you know that plates that are green, gray, or brown will help you eat less than orange or yellow ones? This sounds ridiculous, but studies have shown that those colors make a difference in visual appeal and the amounts that will go into your mouth.
15. Visualization is a helpful technique. When you feel like giving up your diet, close your eyes and picture yourself with 10 extra pounds. Now see yourself in your mind with another 10 pounds. Keeping that picture in your mind, you might try asking yourself if you really want to stray off that diet. Instead, close your eyes again and see yourself at your ideal weight.
16. Once a week reward yourself with a treat. If that treat is a sweet, enjoy that one designated day and eat your piece of cake, pie, ice cream--only in moderation. The same principle goes for those treats that are fatty like regular potato chips, tortilla chips, or alcohol, etc.
17. Eat with a small pronged fork like a cocktail fork can help with your efforts. You will not be able to shovel that much in your mouth with a smaller shovel.
18. Eliminate breads and watch the pounds drop off your frame more. This honestly works.
19. Chew everything at least 10 to 20 times before swallowing.
20. If you love salads, I suggest that you do not mix your dressing in with your salad fixings. Instead, keep a little dressing on the side of your plate and dip your salad into the dressing to avoid a calorie overload.
21. Eat regular cooked meals that will fill you with nutritious real food--not convenience foods loaded with preservatives and unrealistic portions to satisfy your hunger.
22. The more you eat, the more you want. Personally, I found it hardest initially to eat less. The longer you diet, the more I believe your stomach shrinks and the less you need to eat to fill full.
Dieting is hard enough that is why I wanted to share these helpful tips with you. Hopefully, they will keep you strong and going!
1. Avoid grocery shopping while you're hungry.
2. Eat your meals before feeding your family. By doing so, you will be full and more able to resist temptation of what high calorie food that could sabotage your dieting efforts. This may sound like a silly tip, but it works.
3. Plan out your meals ahead of time and make a list of the foods you need to make them and stick to that sheet.
4. Keep a food diary and jot down everything you eat. You might be surprised how each tablespoon when cooking or just a teaspoon of peanut butter for example can add up when counting calories.
5. Eating on smaller plates instead of oversized ones can provide an illusion to your mind that you are eating more than you actually are.
6. If you finish a meal and still feel not quite full, you might like to try waiting 10 minutes before looking for something else to eat. Often, that hunger urge will pass.
7. Brush and floss your teeth directly after dinner to resist snacking later. Sometimes, it is good to be lazy and keep a clean mouth to avoid flossing and brushing again.
8. Drink water with your meals to help dull your appetite. Six to eight glasses a day acts as a diuretic and will clean your system out of impurities.
9. Learn to stop eating in front of the television. Eat your meals only at the table.
10. Make a habit of weighing yourself once a week at the same time. Your weight does change at certain times of the day.
11. When you feel the urge to pig out, you might try eating something sour like a pickle or lemon to suck on. This bitter taste in your mouth could help you eliminate those cravings.
12. Those times you need a sweet, you also need to substitute that urge for fruit, but be aware of the calories and the portion you can have.
13. Avoiding the hunger for pastry, cakes, cookies, and ice cream is easier when it is not in your house.
14. Did you know that plates that are green, gray, or brown will help you eat less than orange or yellow ones? This sounds ridiculous, but studies have shown that those colors make a difference in visual appeal and the amounts that will go into your mouth.
15. Visualization is a helpful technique. When you feel like giving up your diet, close your eyes and picture yourself with 10 extra pounds. Now see yourself in your mind with another 10 pounds. Keeping that picture in your mind, you might try asking yourself if you really want to stray off that diet. Instead, close your eyes again and see yourself at your ideal weight.
16. Once a week reward yourself with a treat. If that treat is a sweet, enjoy that one designated day and eat your piece of cake, pie, ice cream--only in moderation. The same principle goes for those treats that are fatty like regular potato chips, tortilla chips, or alcohol, etc.
17. Eat with a small pronged fork like a cocktail fork can help with your efforts. You will not be able to shovel that much in your mouth with a smaller shovel.
18. Eliminate breads and watch the pounds drop off your frame more. This honestly works.
19. Chew everything at least 10 to 20 times before swallowing.
20. If you love salads, I suggest that you do not mix your dressing in with your salad fixings. Instead, keep a little dressing on the side of your plate and dip your salad into the dressing to avoid a calorie overload.
21. Eat regular cooked meals that will fill you with nutritious real food--not convenience foods loaded with preservatives and unrealistic portions to satisfy your hunger.
22. The more you eat, the more you want. Personally, I found it hardest initially to eat less. The longer you diet, the more I believe your stomach shrinks and the less you need to eat to fill full.
Dieting is hard enough that is why I wanted to share these helpful tips with you. Hopefully, they will keep you strong and going!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Protect Yourself Against Type 2 Diabetes!
Type 2 diabetes is on the increase in this country. Did you know that the heavier you get, the more chance you have at developing this disease? What's even worse is this tragic epidemic is happening to our children. However, you can lower your risk by adjusting your diet for starters.
Nuts, nut butters and peanut butter are excellent preventive foods to incorporate into your life because of their healthy fats and magnesium. Eat a serving of nuts in any of those forms just five times a week can lower your odds up to 30 percent of ever developing this disease.
Adding more fiber such as in legumes or whole grain cereals and breads daily can make a tremendous difference. One study found people that ate fiber rich foods every day reduced their risk by 40 percent compared to those that did not.
Coffee is another choice you may want to reconsider and add to your diet. Whether you prefer caffeinated or decaffeined does not matter, however, you need to drink at least three or four cups a day for this drink to do anything to lower your risk.
One thing you may also want to avoid is regular soda. Simply put, if you just drink two cans of this sugar-loaded stuff, you also double your chances of getting kidney disease, compounding the problem.
Eating sweets are fine when you you do it in moderation. Also, it is a good idea to save one or two days a week for that indulgence instead of making desserts a daily routine.
If you already have type 2 diabetes, then experts advise losing some weight often helps get the disease under control. Exercise is also recommended.
Unfortunately, we are becoming a sedentary nation due to computers, video games, television, and technology. Try putting a limit on the amount of time that your child is stationed in front of the computer or television. The upcoming warm weather is the perfect time to take walks or play outdoors with a baseball, volleyball, basketball, etc. with the kids.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Do You Know How to Interpret Your Food Cravings?
We all have food cravings at one time or another whether you have to have sweets or something salty. However, did you ever wonder why you had to have those certain foods?
Sometimes, your emotions can be responsible. We need particular comfort foods to help take our minds off a bad day.
Other times, our bodies are responsible for a chemical imbalance that drives us toward foods we crave as it attempts to correct the problem.
If you find yourself desperate for sweets, you could have too high or too low blood glucose levels. The best way to handle the feeling is eating smaller, more frequent meals. By doing so, you will keep your blood sugar steady and those cravings more under control.
On the other end, if you crave salty foods, this could signal a deficiency in minerals, such as sodium, potassium or not enough fluids. Your best solution is to drink more water, eat more potassium rich foods or take a potassium supplement and add some iodine to your diet, such as iodized salt instead of plain salt or an iodine supplement may help.
Craving carbohydrates could mean low levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin, or low blood sugar. If you want to stop those type cravings, you need high fiber and chromium rich foods to balance your glucose levels. The easiest way to take care of the problem of this type is with a B-Complex supplement.
Trying to eat the proper foods and the amount necessary is often easier said than done. However, taking vitamins is a good precaution to help supplement what your body or diet misses.
I'm not a doctor. Check with your doctor what's your best plan to help correct the condition.
Sometimes, your emotions can be responsible. We need particular comfort foods to help take our minds off a bad day.
Other times, our bodies are responsible for a chemical imbalance that drives us toward foods we crave as it attempts to correct the problem.
If you find yourself desperate for sweets, you could have too high or too low blood glucose levels. The best way to handle the feeling is eating smaller, more frequent meals. By doing so, you will keep your blood sugar steady and those cravings more under control.
On the other end, if you crave salty foods, this could signal a deficiency in minerals, such as sodium, potassium or not enough fluids. Your best solution is to drink more water, eat more potassium rich foods or take a potassium supplement and add some iodine to your diet, such as iodized salt instead of plain salt or an iodine supplement may help.
Craving carbohydrates could mean low levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin, or low blood sugar. If you want to stop those type cravings, you need high fiber and chromium rich foods to balance your glucose levels. The easiest way to take care of the problem of this type is with a B-Complex supplement.
Trying to eat the proper foods and the amount necessary is often easier said than done. However, taking vitamins is a good precaution to help supplement what your body or diet misses.
I'm not a doctor. Check with your doctor what's your best plan to help correct the condition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)